BOULDER — Each of the 28 Colorado seniors set to run behind Ralphie for a final time today has his own story about all the work it took to get through the past four or five years. That’s what makes Senior Day special.
Colorado’s game today against Arizona at Folsom Field isn’t just another game between two struggling teams.
For CU senior defensive back Travis Sandersfeld and others not expecting a call from NFL scouts, this likely will be the last time they play football in a home jersey. At some point, emotions are sure to let loose.
“Right now, I’m planning to go out there like it’s just a game,” Sandersfeld said earlier this week. “But I know I’ll feel it once it comes.”
Sandersfeld tells everyone about his “great career” at Colorado, which in itself says so much about the former walk-on from Limon. He has battled through about as many challenges as anyone on the roster and acknowledges “the wins haven’t shown up like you’d like.” Nevertheless, Sandersfeld values the journey, even the rocky parts.
After shining on special teams for two seasons, the 6-foot, 205-pounder finally earned an opportunity to be a starter in 2010 as a nickel back. But he broke an ankle against California in Week 2 and missed five games. Sandersfeld opened this season starting at cornerback, but after playing on every defensive snap against Hawaii and California, he fractured a fibula during a practice and watched the next six games.
Sandersfeld returned against Arizona State and is expected to make his third consecutive start today. Whether he’s at cornerback, nickel or safety, his performance against the passing of Arizona senior quarterback Nick Foles could play a pivotal role in whether the Buffaloes can finally claim their first Pac-12 victory.
“I knew I wouldn’t be out all year, so I worked hard to get back,” Sandersfeld said. “Yeah, it’s not the way you picture your senior year to go. But if you get down on yourself, your chances of coming back aren’t great.”
The fact that Sandersfeld is playing major-college football at all is an upset. After helping Limon go 50-1 in four years (with three state championships) as a wide receiver, defensive back and quarterback, Sandersfeld received offers only from Division II schools in Nebraska.
His fortunes changed when he met CU assistant coach Brian Cabral at a National Football Foundation banquet in Denver, where Sandersfeld was honored as one of the state’s top scholar-athletes.
Impressed with Sandersfeld during their chat, Cabral asked veteran Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer for game films. Sandersfeld jumped at the opportunity to be a preferred walk-on at Colorado and follow in the footsteps of Tom Hubbard, a CU safety from Limon who began as a walk-on and eventually became defensive MVP of the 2004 Houston Bowl.
Like Hubbard, it did not take long for Sandersfeld to be placed on an athletic scholarship.
“I didn’t really know if Travis could play Division I football,” O’Dwyer said this week during a phone interview. “But I thought with his work ethic and toughness, he would have a chance wherever he went. Travis would run through a brick wall if you said it made him a better player.”
Sandersfeld wouldn’t win many foot races. But he is able to hang against some of the nation’s best college receivers by relying on intelligence, instincts and competitiveness. Sandersfeld earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors three times and has received numerous team awards for effort and dedication.
Defensive coordinator Greg Brown tells the story of looking around to see who might go in at safety against Southern California last week when starter Kyle Washington suffered a concussion. Without hesitation, Sandersfeld raised his hand.
“Travis had been a corner all year and hadn’t taken any reps at safety, but he did a commendable job back there,” Brown said. “That’s who he is. Whatever he does in life, he’s going to be a huge success.”
On Senior Day, peeking a bit toward the future couldn’t be more appropriate.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
