Boulder – So this is how it ends for Colorado’s senior class – like Wile E. Coyote falling off the cliff into a splat, punctuated by a poof of dust.
Thud. These seniors are the second class to graduate that endured the firing line of investigation, scrutiny and criticism in recent years. And then 1-9 happens.
But no matter how they got to this point, CU seniors say they are glad to be here. Those 24 individuals will play their final game at Folsom Field on Saturday when the Buffs face Iowa State in the penultimate game of the season.
“It would have been more fun to win, but it was still a lot of fun this year,” guard Brian Daniels said. “There’s still a lot of good memories.”
CU coach Dan Hawkins didn’t bring any of these players to Colorado, but said he is a fan of their resiliency.
“I told these guys in the team meeting the other day that they could probably write a variety of short stories that most guys didn’t ever go through in their college career on most teams,” Hawkins said Tuesday during his weekly news conference. “You certainly feel bad that you couldn’t send them off on a better note.”
If Colorado doesn’t win another game this season, these seniors will have experienced as many losses (11) in a three-month span as they had in the two previous seasons combined.
“I talk to a lot of my teammates, the seniors, and we just talk about what we could have done, what we didn’t do,” linebacker Thaddaeus Washington said. “And, you know, it’s just tough. You never imagined the season would be like this.”
Defensive end Abraham Wright said though the season has been disappointing, he’ll continue to keep it in perspective.
“I sometimes feel kind of crazy, getting discouraged after a loss,” Wright said. “My brother is telling me, ‘Abe, I’ll do anything to be in your shoes.’ I’m not saying this hasn’t been a tough season, but at the same time, it’s just a game. It’s just a part of life, winning and losing.”
Footnotes
Colorado has received oral commitments from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High teammates Matt Bahr and Brian Lockridge. Bahr is a 6-foot-4, 261-pound offensive lineman, bringing CU to eight commitments at that position. Lockridge is a 5-7, 164-pound running back. … CU has signed an extension of its series with Arizona State. The Buffs host ASU on Sept. 14, 2013, and make the trip to Tempe on Sept. 15, 2018. CU still has to travel to the Sun Devils next season to finish out the current series. … Washington has had a root canal and is scheduled to go back for a filling in order to fix the damage done to two cracked teeth he suffered Saturday against Kansas State. Washington said he will play against Iowa State, and will do so with a new face mask that provides more protection.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
