The CU Buffalo scrimmage on Saturday, April 22 at Folsom Field showcased the new era with coach Deon Sanders as more than 45,000 tickets were sold, demolishing the previous 17,800 record attendance in 2008.
The game was also the only broadcasted spring game on ESPN this weekend despite much nationally ranked teams like Alabama and Notre Dame also having scrimmages the same day.
After taking the helm in December, Sanders has been vocal over the team’s future and how Colorado fans deserve more than the past couple of seasons, including their dismal 1-11 record last season.
“We don’t look behind us; we look ahead,” Sanders said at the post game conference.
According to Sanders, due to weather conditions and several other reasons there was not a full-on scrimmage, but instead a “speed day.”
The near freezing temperatures and snow did not stop the sellout crowd to join in with electric enthusiasm. This energy carried onto the field, according to Sanders.
“I was amazed,” Sanders said later when talking about the Colorado crowd. “It was a moment you’ll never forget.”
The scrimmage started off with 98-year-old Colorado superfan Peggy Coppom taking the opening kickoff while being escorted by Sanders.
Sanders named her MVP after the game.
“She was quick, her first step was unbelievable,” Sanders said. “She was very physical when she grabbed me and made sure I held her arm.”
The period format for the scrimmage for all four quarters featured kick off practice, followed by a drive from the 1st team offense vs. the second team defense. The second team offense then faced against the first team defense for a drive, and the period ended with the 3rd team offense and defense battling for a drive and some field goal practice.
There was also seven on seven play and one-on-one battles between the offensive and defensive lines almost halfway into the scrimmage.
Offensive players donned white and defensive players were in black; quarterbacks wore gold jerseys and special teams’ players wore silver.
Sander’s son quarterback Shedeur threw for a couple of touchdowns, including a 98-yard score to returning wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig; they had a combined 154 yards and two touch downs together.
Shedeur followed his father from Jackson State where he finished with 40 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last season.
Travis Hunter, a cornerback and receiver out of high school, also showcased his skills as a promising recruiting victory by Sanders. He received a touchdown toss from Shedeur and followed that by not allowing a catch despite being targeted three times.
Overall, CU fans caught a glimpse into the Prime era at Boulder. CU will begin their regular season Sept. 2 against TCU.
