LARAMIE, Wyo.—The Border War rivalry between the University of Wyoming and Colorado State often brings together family and friends with ties to both schools.
When it does, however, those ties are usually kept between the borders of the two states and doesn’t include the Lone Star State.
But Friday’s 101st Border War will have three family members from Dallas playing against each other for the first time.
Marcell and Tashaun Gipson are starting cornerbacks for UW. Marcell is a junior and Tashaun a sophomore. Both played in their first Border War last season.
Their cousin, Chris Gipson, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for CSU. He has played in nine games and started four. He is the Rams’ fourth-leading tackler with 51.
Marcell is the oldest of the three, but Tashaun and Chris are the same age, and both graduated from Kimball High in 2007.
Tashaun followed his brother to UW, and Chris nearly did the same.
“It came down to Colorado State and Wyoming,” Chris said.
But on the same weekend that Tashaun made his recruiting trip to UW, Chris went to CSU. High school friend Mychal Sisson was already there.
“We made a pact when we were sophomores in high school that we would play together in college,” Tashaun said. “But like he told me and my parents, he felt CSU was a better fit for him than Wyoming. It was a last-minute thing. We still respect him and support him.”
Two family members as teammates is one thing, but what if there were three?
“I know it would be real crazy,” Chris said.
“It would have been cool to have the Gipson triplets up here,” Marcell added.
Since all three play defense, they won’t be on the field Friday at the same time, except on special teams.
Marcell is UW’s leader in kickoff returns, and Chris plays on CSU’s kickoff coverage team.
“I know he better not tackle me if he’s on the kickoff team or we’ll have some words,” Marcell said.
“It might be a big chance for a Gipson to hit a Gipson. I hope I can make the hit,” Chris added.
But Friday’s game will be about more than who hits who in the Gipson family.
“I’d say it’s going to be a really good day for our family,” Chris said. “We’re out there doing something positive. We’re in school and playing football against each other. We’re all out there holding our own.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I know everyone back home will be glued to the TV. I haven’t talked to my cousins much this week, but I’m sure by Thursday and Friday morning my phone will be ringing and so will theirs.”
Meantime, after allowing an 81-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and an average of 53 yards per return in last week’s 45-10 loss to No. 4 TCU, Christensen said there would be some changes on the kickoff coverage team. And there are.
Six defensive starters were on the team Tuesday: both Gipsons, junior safety Chris Prosinski, sophomore linebackers Gabe Knapton and Josh Biezuns and senior linebacker Weston Johnson.
Three true freshmen also were there and have been most of the season: Luke Ruff, Ghaali Muhammad and Kenny Browder.
Redshirt freshman James Caraway rounded out the coverage team, and sophomore punter Austin McCoy handled the kickoffs in place of senior Jake Scott.
“We’ve got the right guys there,” Christensen said.
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Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle – Cheyenne,
