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Colorado Daily – Iowa State Week
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October 11th – Game Day!
… CU in a few minutes …
Iowa State Scouting Report
From the Daily Camera …
5 Cyclones to Watch
LB Caleb Bacon: Currently second on the team with 32 tackles, while posing three tackles for loss and three QB hurries. He’s a former walk-on who earned a scholarship after a stellar 2023 season. He then suffered a season-ending injury in the 2024 opener.
QB Rocco Becht: One of the better quarterbacks in the country, Becht has completed 65% of his passes for 1,417 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for seven scores. He’s thrown for 8,042 yards and 15 touchdowns since the start of the 2023 season.
WR Brett Eskildsen: Leads Iowa State with 321 receiving yards and is second with 18 catches. The sophomore is coming off his best game last week at Cincinnati, when he posted career highs for catches (eight) and yards (105).
RB Carson Hansen: ISU’s leading rusher with 348 yards and two touchdowns, posting 4.4 yards per carry. He took over a leading role last year when he rushed for 752 yards and 13 touchdowns, while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Star Marcus Neal Jr.: A first-time starter, the sophomore is leading the Cyclones in tackles (39) and tackles for loss (5.5). He also has one sack and three pass breakups.
When Iowa State has the ball …
Led by quarterback Rocco Becht, the Cyclones have an offense that isn’t explosive, but always dangerous. He’s led Iowa State to 23 wins as a starter and has a knack for directing the offense to pivotal points. Iowa State is just 10th in the Big 12 in scoring (31.3 points per game) and 11th in yards (400.2 per game), leaning heavily on Becht’s arm. He’s thrown for 1,417 yards this season and has numerous solid weapons at receiver and tight end. In fact, tight ends are a big part of the passing game, as Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle have combined for 33 catches for 366 yards and four touchdowns. Leading rusher Carson Hansen is questionable to play, but his backup, Abu Sama III, has done well, with 304 yards and two touchdowns. “They play a lot of 12 personnel (two tight ends), so we’ve got to get ready stop the run, for sure,” CU defensive end Keaten Wade said. “But, that’s what we ask for as defensive players, to stop the run so we can get after the passer.” Iowa State has allowed 11 sacks so far, so there could be opportunities for Wade and company to get to the quarterback. CU has just eight sacks so far this year. CU enters the game ranking 12th in the Big 12 in points allowed (24.8) and 14th in yards allowed (398.8).
… Continue reading story here …
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October 10th
… CU in a few minutes …
Coach Prime: Buffs “close, not far away”
From the Daily Camera … Colorado has had plenty of seasons in the recent past where there was seemingly no or little hope of turning the corner and becoming a winning team.
Head coach Deion Sanders doesn’t believe that’s the case with the current Buffaloes.
“Close, not far away,” he said this week as the Buffs (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) aim to snap a two-game losing skid. “I mean, really close. I’m not talking about with binoculars that we see it. I’m talking about close. We could darn near touch it. That’s how close we are.”
The first half of the season certainly didn’t go the way the Buffs anticipated, including their first 0-3 start to conference play since 2017. Yet, they’ve been in position in the fourth quarter to win three of the four games they’ve lost.
“We’re playing good football, except for a couple of quarters,” Sanders said of why he still has confidence in his team. “Defensively … the third quarters haven’t been kind. Offensively, coming back out of halftime, as well, hasn’t been kind. The first two quarters, we played good, pretty decent football.
“But the reason I’m still excited about this team that just finished practicing, is because I don’t feel like we’ve gotten our butt kicked. I feel like we’ve just wrapped it up and we’re giving it to (the opponents).”
… Continue reading story here …
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*Video: The Story of Ralphie VII*
… Very well done. Might be the best seven minutes of your day …
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October 9th
… CU in a few minutes …
CU Injury Report: fewer defensive linemen out; running back in flux with three backs out
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October 8th
… CU in a few minutes …
Kordell Stewart to be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame
From CUBuffs.com … University of Colorado football fans will never forget the late Keith Jackson’s (ABC) call of the “Miracle in Michigan,” on September 24, 1994:
“Stewart with time. Let’s it go. … he’s got three people down there. The ball’s up in the air … Caught! Caught by Westbrook for a touchdown! Incredible!”
Kordell Stewart, the quarterback who launched that pass 72 yards in the air as time expired to beat Michigan, 27-26, that afternoon in “The Big House,” has been selected for induction in the 61st class of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame next April 16 in Denver.
A three-year starter (1992-94), the dual-threat signal caller led the Buffaloes to a 27-5-1 record (the best all-time at CU), 16-2-1 in Big Eight Conference games, 9-5 against ranked opponents and including bowl victories over Fresno State in the ’93 Aloha Bowl and Notre Dame in the ’95 Fiesta Bowl (when he was named the game’s most valuable player). The Buffaloes finished 13th, 16th and third in the national rankings the three years he lined up behind center.
“It’s awesome and really gratifying that the work I’ve put in will be recognized,” Stewart said. Joining my coach, Bill McCartney, and teammate, Rashaan Salaam, in the Hall is important to me. (McCartney was inducted in 2013, Salaam in 2018).
“I know there are a lot of Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, etc., that have been selected for the Hall,” he continued. “I feel that it is a testament to the respect that I get from my peers. I’m excited and the good thing about it is that my son (Syre) gets the chance to see his dad go into the state’s Hall of Fame.
“While it’s an individual accolade, I have to thank my coaches at CU, first Coach Mac, who sealed the deal when he visited my home,” Stewart said. “Bob Simmons was the first to visit me. Gary Barnett was my first offensive coordinator, then Les Steckel, who also visited me during recruiting. And finally, Rick Neuheisel, who was my position coach my senior year and who drew up ‘Rocket-Left-Hail Mary,’ the play that won the Michigan game. And of course, all of my teammates.
“I put in a lot of work to allow myself to be respected by all parties I came into contact with – coaches, teammates, opponents I played against, and now to those who had the voting power considering all the sports that Colorado has to offer – pro, college and all the outdoor sports – to be selected makes things to me complete.”
And I don’t want to forget the fans who were there through thick and thin who supported myself and my teammates, especially those who made the trip to Michigan.”
… Continue reading story here …
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Update … Coach Prime was back at practice this morning, after undergoing a four hour procedure yesterday to help relieve blood clotting …
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Ralphie VII receives her nickname: Brandy
From the Daily Camera … Ralphie VII now has a nickname.
On Tuesday, Colorado announced that the new live mascot of the university has been given the nickname “Brandy.”
The team of Ralphie handlers gave Ralphie VII her nickname after they “noticed her affinity to the song Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl), a 1972 hit by the band Looking Glass,” according to a news release.
According to the release, Ralphie VII enjoys the song and “strongly identifies with the lyrics.”
Brandy now officially joins the other line of individual Ralphie names including Moonshine (Ralphie II), Tequila (Ralphie III), Rowdy (Ralphie IV), Blackout (Ralphie V), and Ember (Ralphie VI).
The Ralphie Live Mascot program relies almost exclusively on donations. To give to the program, which supports food and care for all three living Ralphies, please visit the Ralphie giving page.
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October 7th
… CU in a few minutes …
*Coach Prime’s Weekly Press Conference*
Coach Prime on his health: “I am having a procedure today (aspiration thrombectomy left popliteal and tibial arteries). Prayerfully I’ll be right back at practice tomorrow. It is what it is what. Found what we found. I have a wonderful team of doctors at UC Health and a team of wonderful trainers here. It has nothing to do with me working at the level and competing… it is hereditary. It is what it is. I trust God with all my heart.”
Coach Prime: “The reason I’m still excited about this team is because I don’t feel like we’ve gotten our butt kicked … we’ve wrapped it up and gave it to them.” “We see where the faults are and we gotta fix that.” “We’re better than we’re playing.”
Coach Prime on players showing frustration: “You are happy as a coach to see that frustration. If you see no anger, you got a problem in your locker room. You want to see that controlled rage so to speak. Some of these guys are fed up. They want to win.”
Coach Prime when asked about QB Kaidon Salter: “I saw what you saw. We have to do better and we will.” On freshman QB Julian “JuJu” Lewis: “He’s comin’ around the mountain when he comes.”
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October 6th
… CU in a few minutes …
CU issues new procedures concerning fan behavior
Press release from CUBuffs.com … In an effort to improve the fan experience at CU home football games, the university and CU Athletics will be implementing the following changes for the game against Iowa State on Oct. 11.
- Streamlined communication between fans and stadium security personnel. Fans are encouraged to text the Folsom Field Text for Assistance Line – (720) 812-1769 to report any issue.
- Increase in security personnel throughout the stadium both inside and outside, including in the student section.
- Undercover police officers embedded in various sections throughout the stadium for immediate removals.
- Increase in security response teams throughout the stadium.
- Installation of new technology to proactively monitor behavior throughout the stadium.
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Changing goals: Trying to keep the team together now Goal No. 1
From the Daily Camera … Goals of winning the conference and getting to the College Football Playoff are gone. Bowl eligibility is slipping away, too.
But, for CU to salvage this season, it has to first keep the team together.
“That’s the most important thing going forward; 2-4, at this time, players start to think other things,” sophomore safety Tawfiq Byard said after the Buffs’ 35-21 loss at TCU on Saturday night in Fort Worth, Texas. “As leaders, we’ve got to bring them together.”
That won’t be easy for a team that has talked about a lack of leadership for much of the season, but Byard said leaders have to step up.
“We’ve got to keep (the players) on the same mission, because at the end of day, it’s our last name, and it’s that Colorado that’s on front that’s on the jerseys,” Byard said. “We’ve got to take it upon ourselves to do more and it starts in practice. And I know we keep saying it starts in practice, and everything starts in practice, but it’s real. Y’all see it out there on the field. We’ve just got to do better.”
CU has jumped out to 14-0 leads in back-to-back games, only to lose both: 24-21 against BYU on Sept. 27 and Saturday’s loss to TCU. It’s the first time in CU history that the Buffs have had 14-point leads in consecutive games and lost both.
Head coach Deion Sanders said his team has lacked a “killer” mentality, and it won’t be easy to change that.
“I don’t think you build that,” Sanders said. “I think that comes with the kid. And that’s tough stuff. You gotta have that somewhere inside of you, but that starts on the practice field, because if you’re having success there, you’re going to bring that over to the game, and you’re going to be successful there.”
… Continue reading story here …
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October 5th
… CU in a few minutes …
Coach Prime to see a doctor on Monday: “I think I’ve got more blood clots”
From ESPN … Deion Sanders said he was “hurting like crazy” after Colorado’s loss Saturday night at TCU and believes he has more blood clots in his leg.
“Cat’s out of the bag, all right. I think I’ve got more blood clots,” Sanders said. “It don’t make sense. I’m hurting like crazy. … I’m not getting blood to my leg. That’s why my leg is throbbing.”
The 58-year-old Colorado coach sat at times late during the 35-21 loss and said he had a doctor’s appointment Monday to see about the issue.
“Sorry to get that out, but thank you for noticing,” Sanders said when responding to a question after his health.
Sanders spent time away from the Buffaloes (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) this summer as he went through treatment for bladder cancer. His doctor said before the season that he was cured from that, with a section of Sanders’ intestine reconstructed to function as a bladder.
… Continue reading story here …
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Coach Prime: “The mentality and attitude – I’m tolerating it, that means I’m a part of it”
From the Daily Camera … Within the stat sheet, there are plenty of numbers to dissect in trying to figure out why the Colorado Buffaloes are falling short.
The real answer isn’t in the numbers, though, according to head coach Deion Sanders. The 2025 Buffaloes don’t have the right mindset to win, he said, and that was on display yet again in a 35-21 loss to TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“The mentality and attitude, the mentality and attitude, the mentality and attitude,” Sanders said. “But the thing about it, if I’m tolerating it, that means I’m a part of it. I gotta do a better job of just putting the stop to it when I see it.”
CU (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter against a TCU team favored by 13.5 points coming in. During the last 33 minutes, though, the Buffs were outscored 35-7.
It was eerily like a week earlier when the Buffs punched favored BYU in the mouth early for a 14-0 lead. CU was outscored 24-7 the rest of the way, though, and lost 24-21.
“It’s the same stuff every week,” sophomore safety Tawfiq Byard said as he expressed frustration. “Leaders, we’ve got to take it upon ourselves and do better in practice. Like you said, it’s the same old stuff. We just gotta lock in on the little stuff.”
… Continue reading story here …
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5 Replies to “Colorado Daily – Iowa State Week”
Have to admit i’m not thrilled by the police survelliance state stuff related to fan behavior. Fans chanting “F** the mormans” doesn’t require hidden police officers ready to arrest people.
What would they ever think of cup wars?!
Go Buffs
I’m sure BYU gets that everywhere they go. The fact that they came after us because BYU complained makes me hate them even more. Maybe the fighting Mormons are our new rival.
First and foremost we must pray for Coach Prime’s good health and a speedy recovery from his physical issues. Next we need a new QB1. It’s time to let our five star JuJu show us what he’s got. If game experience this year leads us to a better year in 2026 lets do it. Staub will be there to bail JuJu out if he can’t handle the bright lights of Primetime.
I cant imagine what Prime is going through. Having your bladder removed? C’mon. Add to that life threatening blood clots. Up to now he has been unbelievably upbeat about it although he did look concerned at the last presser.
If there is even a small silver lining in all this hopefully the players will squeeze a little more juice into their performance for him on the field with Iowa St. I watched a little of their loss to Cincy later on where Campbell had a shurmur like brain freeze with the bubble screen etc. and then yelled at his players. They are vulnerable.
Speaking of the CU tradition with “brilliant” OCs I also watched our old friend Brian Lindgren help the Cobbs to a victory over his current team, Mich St. Dontcha love that carousel?