Offensive lineman Bryce Givens walks through a sea of CSU fans who rushed the field. The 2010 RMS kicks off at noon on Saturday, Sept. 4. (CU Independent/Danielle Alberti)
A mob of green and yellow shirted fans invaded Folsom Field the last time CU played rival Colorado State.
After watching their team best the Buffs, 23-17, hundreds of Ram supporters ran onto enemy turf and celebrated in front of the remaining Boulder faithful.
A full calendar year has passed since, and the Rocky Mountain Showdown is set as the season opener for the ninth consecutive year for the Buffs.
CU students say they remember the last game against the Rams and have already helped the school sell out their allotment of tickets for the game at INVESCO Field in Denver.
“You come to a Big 12 school and you expect to be better than non-conference opponents,” said junior economics major Ben Pomarantz. “It’s kind of an embarrassment to our program.”
This time around, CU’s season begins with more uncertainty than guarantee.
Can quarterback Tyler Hansen come back from last season and lead this team to more W’s than L’s? Is the experienced offensive line finally able to get over those problems that allowed them to give up 44 sacks? And most notably, could another losing season drive coach Hawk out of Boulder?
Some students said the only way to go is up.
Senior psychology major Steven Dannenberg said he predicts a 6-6 season, including a win over CSU. He also went as far as to forecast Hawkins’ fate.
“I don’t think he will be fired just because of whatever money situation they have,” Dannenburg said. “If they didn’t do it last season I would let it play out this season and then re-evaluate.”
For Hawkins to avoid his fifth season translating to his final season, a good showing against the in-state rival could go a long way.
The head coach will benefit from the 33 upperclassmen he has on his two-deep roster. But it is the return of 15 starters that has many CU fans hopeful for better quality football.
“Experience always helps,” Pomarantz said. “Now that we have more experienced linemen we can guard our quarterback better. I don’t know how [the team] will do this season, but I think they’ll beat CSU.”
Fifth-year seniors Xander Rodriguez, an economics major, and Tyler Schelpat, an arts and science major, will be in Denver on Saturday. They’ve been in Boulder long enough to witness coach Hawkins’ full CU career, which includes only one winning season in four years.
“If we lose this game we should impeach Hawkins,” said Rodriguez, who then came up with a more realistic reaction. “I just think we shouldn’t extend his contract like he wanted.”
“Give him to Wyoming,” Schelpat joked.
Both students said they expect CU to beat CSU, who lost their final nine games after starting 3-0. The Buffs, who had an record identical to their rival, are 10-6 against the Rams on season openers.
After a go-around in Boulder, the match-up returns to Denver. Unfortunately for students, that means the game is not part of their season tickets, forcing some money-conscious fans to miss out.
“No, I’m not going,” said freshman Olivia Kolodziejczak. “I already bought season tickets and I don’t feel like spending an extra 30 bucks just to go to one game.”
It may be costly, but it is one game that will answer the program’s enduring questions of which way the program is headed.
If the students do not see the necessary improvements they might walk out on the team, leaving an open field for CSU fans to rush again.
Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. Saturday at INVESCO Field in Denver.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
