Stillwater, Okla. – Not a single member of the Colorado football team who was in the visiting locker room at Texas A&M last season has forgotten the feeling.
It still stews in the pits of their stomachs.
“That’s probably the worst loss I’ve ever had in my life,” defensive tackle James Garee said.
Running back Bobby Purify’s fumble in overtime as the Buffs drove for what would have been the game-winning score against the Aggies left CU dazed, but not confused about a 29-26 overtime loss in College Station. They were well aware of the opportunity lost.
“We knew that we let one get away from us,” center Mark Fenton said. “We thought we were going to run the ball right down their throat on the last drive, but it got away from us. We’re ready to play them again and hopefully have a different outcome.”
Coach Gary Barnett preaches how each game only counts as one, but getting a chance at redemption against Texas A&M is in the forefront of players’ minds, as is proving the South Division no longer dominates.
“It’s always a challenge because what they think about the North isn’t true,” linebacker Thaddaeus Washington said. “We have to go out there every day, every week and just show what kind of team we are.”
The Buffs are off to a good start. With a win against Oklahoma State, CU is the only North Division team with a win over a South Division opponent. Including Texas A&M on Saturday, the Buffs have two more games against South foes, rounding out their intradivision schedule Oct. 15 at No. 2-ranked Texas.
“With these three games, you have tough games back-to- back,” safety J.J. Billingsley said. “I’m not trying to say that we look at these teams more than other teams, but these are the good teams. They pound you. They’re big, physical, strong, fast, all of that.
“I feel good about this year, and I think the North is coming back. We had a couple of down years, but we’re not to be overlooked anymore.
“I’m talking about the whole North Division. I’m speaking about all of us.”
Colorado snapped a nine- game road losing streak to South Division teams with its victory over Oklahoma State. CU’s 0-3 mark against the South in 2004 still grates on CU players.
“Those things are things that you have to do in this conference to get back to that championship game to have a chance in that game, is win big games on the road, and especially for us in the South,” quarterback Joel Klatt said. “That was our nemesis last year. We feel like we needed to swing those victories toward us and try to maintain our dominance in the North. It’s really big for us. We have a big challenge ahead of us this week against A&M.”
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
