The story behind the Buffs' new turnover robe

DENVER — Late in the first quarter of Friday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, Colorado Buffaloes safety Mikial Onu lined up in single high coverage.

The Colorado State Rams had flown down the field to tie the game at seven then forced a quick three-and-out for the Buffs. Now, the Rams were driving again and 30 yards away from taking their first lead in the rivalry since 2015.

As Onu dropped back deep into the middle of the defensive backfield, star Rams receiver William Jackson ran toward him. Then Jackson angled back outside toward the edge of the end zone and Onu mirrored him. Onu broke on the ball, snagged it, and dragged his toes at the edge of the end zone for a remarkable interception.

“I had a really good view of the ball the whole play,” Onu said. “My only concern really was staying in bounds because I knew I had a chance to grab it.”

But the show really started when Onu got back to the sideline.

A strength coach draped Onu in a silver boxing robe with the Buffs’ logo embroidered on the back with “Gimme 2 Claps” written below it. Then another strength coach held a black punching bag in front of Onu, and the safety started swinging.

This happened again after Onu’s second interception and when Mustafa Johnson recovered a strip sack forced by Jon Van Diest in the end zone.

The concept behind the Turnover Robe is simple: If a Buff forces a turnover, he gets the robe and he gets to beat the hell out of a punching bag.

“I really love it,” junior safety Aaron Maddox said. “It brings even more fun into the game.”

The most interesting occurrence came after Maddox forced a fumble and defensive lineman Jalen Sami recovered it. Maddox got the robe and threw the punches, so the honors must go to fumble forcers, not recoverers.

The Turnover Robe was new Buffs defensive coordinator Tyson Summers’ idea.

During practices this fall, the Buffs have kept the punching bag on the sideline and defenders have had their turn at it after each turnover. But the robe was new for the Showdown.

In an otherwise ugly defensive performance, the Buffs’ three turnovers were the silver lining.  Colorado allowed over 500 yards of offense to the Rams and, entering the fourth quarter, every Rams’ possession had ended in either a score or a turnover.

Tucker said he’s happy with the new tradition, but it isn’t something he is spending time thinking about.

“That’s not the focus of what we’re doing,” head coach Mel Tucker said. “But it is something that the players are into and we’ll see where it goes. None of that stuff matters if you don’t take the ball home.”

The robe isn’t the only new tradition the Buffs are starting this season. There’s also a “Havoc Belt.” Whenever a defender creates havoc on a play, he’s awarded the belt on the sideline. It’s another way to keep the energy level high on the sideline.

As the Colorado defense tries to build an identity this season, the Turnover Robe and Havoc Belt figure to become key components.