BOULDER — Expects some hugs, high-fives and perhaps teary eyes this afternoon when 16 Colorado seniors run onto Folsom Field for the final time.
Ten projected starters had better be ready for a battle against a Kansas State team (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) that, CU coaches say, is starting to again take on the identity of coach Bill Snyder.
“Kansas State is twice as physical as Iowa State,” CU interim coach Brian Cabral said this week, referring to CU’s 34-14 victory over Cyclones last week.
Snyder, in his second year after returning from a three-year hiatus, coaches his defenses to be proactive rather than reactive.
“I always expect Kansas State to be one of our most physical games,” CU senior offensive tackle Nate Solder said.
Prior to kickoff, all eyes will be on the “Senior Day” ceremony and whether recently fired CU coach Dan Hawkins will walk his son, starting quarterback Cody Hawkins, onto the field along with Misti Hawkins, Cody’s mom and Dan’s wife.
Also, fans will see a difference in the CU jerseys. Interim coach Brian Cabral, who hopes to go 2-0 since taking over for Dan Hawkins, restored player nametags to the back of the jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Hawkins said before the season that the nametags had been removed after consulting with team leaders who wanted to emphasize the team rather than individuals.
Colorado (4-6, 1-5) needs a victory to keep its bowl hopes alive. The Buffaloes enter today’s game two wins shy of becoming bowl eligible. CU completes its regular season Friday at Nebraska.
