Buffaloed

Daughter Rogue and I went to the CU vs. Florida State Seminoles game Saturday night. I’m the "skinny" guy in black….

DR was mortified when I asked her to take this picture. She told everyone who walked by “He’s not my Dad!” And “I don’t even know who this guy is. He just asked me to take his picture. What a dork.”

The fun started a couple of hours earlier when DR came over before the game and remarked about my new CU (it’s not yellow, its gold) flag which I now proudly fly every game day, “Nice flag Dad. You’re a major nerd.” Ouch…

I was, however, glad to be upgraded from nerd to dork the closer we got to kickoff.

As we entered the stadium, I overheard a lot of people asking “Dude, what’s a Seminole?” I’m always so proud when the students of my alma mater display their depth of knowledge and an awareness of other cultures…

The Seminoles are Native Americans originally from Florida, with groups now living in both Florida and Oklahoma. They have the distinction of being the only Indian tribe that has never signed a peace treaty with the United States, and are known as the “Unconquered People.”

http://www.seminoletribe.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole

We entered the stadium and made our way to our seats near the top of the stadium. DR was very proud of me because I only need to stop twice for oxygen on the climb. I was proud of me too, until I got passed by a 68 year-old grandmother who was heading toward the top row two steps at a time, and not even breathing hard…

DR’s favorite part of a CU game is the “Ralphie Wranglers.” These are the brave young men and women who lead Ralphie onto the field before kickoff at the start of the game and after halftime. It is one of the greatest moments in college football, and not because the wrangler guys are “hot.” Not that I think they are hot, because I have no strong feelings either way, but DR seems to think that the wranglers alone are worth the ticket price.

Oh by the way, Ralphie was recently named the best mascot in college football…

Ralphie is No. 1

When FSU scores, their cheerleaders run through the end zone waving flags that spell N-O-L-E-S. DR suggested that since most people don’t know what a ‘Nole is, they should spell S-E-M-I-S instead… It’s also a good description for some of their offensive linemen.

During the first quarter we got to listen to the saga of Craig and Debbie from the people sitting behind us. It seems that C+D and met at a tailgate before the game and had agreed to meet in the stadium. The conversation went something like this:

“Go find her Craig!” said Debbie’s friend, who we’ll call Susan.

“Where is she?” Craig asked.

“She’s in row 76.” Susan replied.

“Which section?” an exasperated Craig asked.

“Our section. God Craig, you are so lame” Susan said.

You probably remember similar conversations from your high school days. The fact that Susan, Craig and Debbie are all 30-somethings is unfortunate, but pretty damn funny…

Anyway, we got to watch Craig spend most of the first quarter pacing up and down the jam-packed rows of Section 215 searching in vain for Debbie. Craig even called Susan, who was all of four rows from where he was standing, to help him home in on Debbie. Why no one thought to actually call Debbie is unclear…

Later in the game, while the rest of Section 215 was distracted by the action on the field, Susan exclaimed “Oh look, they’re sitting together! Are they holding hands? I think they’re holding hands! Oh my God!”

The CU defense was terrific, giving up only 16 points to the Seminoles, despite having to defend a short field on a couple of occasions. The Buff defense played with heart and abandon, only gave up two big plays, and never quit.

The offense played well between the 30 yard lines but seemed to self-destruct in the red zone. The Buffs do not have much of a running game this year, and finished the night with negative 27 yards rushing.

Generally the FSU fans were classy and respectful. There was, however one notable exception. On a drive in the 4th quarter, as CU was moving the ball with some ease, an FSU fan sitting a couple rows behind us kept yelling at FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews to “Rush 4 Mickey! Come on! You’re so f**king stupid!” FSU was playing a prevent defense and rushing only 3 down linemen. The tactic worked quite well since the drive ended without the Buffs scoring.

I didn’t realize Coach Andrews was such a moron, because when I looked at the scoreboard it said Florida State 16, Colorado 0. I did some high level math (you know, carry the 2, divide by 1) and figured out that for a defense the best you can do is hold the other team to zero points.

I ‘m always amazed at how many coaches are in the stands instead of down on the sidelines on game day…

CU didn’t score until there was 3:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Final score: Florida State 16, Colorado 6.

So the score wasn't what I hoped for, but the company couldn't have been better...

Spring has Sprung

One thing that will become evident, especially as fall approaches, is my affinity for college football. It is, with one notable exception, the greatest activity ever conceived.

My favorite team plays up the road, at Folsom Field. I have been a fan of Colorado Football since I was a youngster. I can remember watching CU play Air Force in the late 60's, back when Bobby Anderson was working his magic for the Buffs.

When I was a student at CU, I had a buddy who worked in the athletic department. At that time, all of the football players lived in Brackett Hall, which is located across the street from the engineering building. My friend was also living in Brackett Hall, and one cold winter morning I had some time between classes, so I thought I'd stop in and say hello.

Brackett Hall is a long narrow 2 or 3 story building with a corridor down the middle of each floor, and rooms on either side of the corridor. The bathrooms are located near the center of each floor.

In those years the starting center for CU was an All-American named Leon White, who was 6'-3", 275 lbs, making him an inch taller and about 70 lbs heaver than me.

Anyway, as I entered Brackett, Leon came in the door at the other end of the building. Maybe, just maybe, with my down coat and hiking boots, I looked big enough to be a football player, especially at the other end of a long, narrow hallway.

Suddenly, Leon began growling, "wind-milling" his arms, and getting himself worked up into an advanced state of agitation. I think he initially though I was one of his football buddies, and he was messing with me. As we got closer to each other, Leon became even more annoyed, and I began to question my continued existence on the planet. I was not smart enough to turn around and leave the building, though it is doubtful that I could have outrun an All-American football player.

As we got to within about 30 feet of each other, an uncomfortably close distance in my opinion, Leon realized that I was not who he thought I was, and ducked into the bathroom. I burst into my friends room, locked the door and began piling furniture against it, and begged him to not, under any circumstance, open the door if someone knocks.

Mr White played in the NFL, and later became the professional wrestler Van Vader.

I survived my encounter with Leon White and became a full-time dork.

Anyway...

The Buffs are coming off of a terrible 2006 season, (2-10 overall, 2-6 in the conference), but hope springs eternal.

Spring practice begins on Monday.

Go Buffs!