Everything came together nicely for Colorado’s homecoming game – perfect weather in the low seventies and an enthusiastic crowd. However, the Buffaloes neglected to schedule the traditional cupcake opponent. Instead, the undefeated and speedy Cowboys rode into town looking to spoil the day. Many fans, including the band, traveled from Stillwater to see their Oklahoma State team continue their winning ways. Our seats had us surrounded and devoured by energetic fans colored in proud orange.
Being near to field level provided an up close vantage point of many pregame aspects. ABC’s sideline announcer, Dr. Jerry Punch, did a piece for the camera only a few yards from where we sat. The Cowboy mascot got close enough for me to snap a photo with him. When the live Buffalo was released during Colorado’s entrance to the field, it swooped in near enough to feel like we were about to be trampled. Even the Cowboys’ entrance was close enough to hear – coach Les Miles shouted, “Let’s Go!” as he led the team onto Folsom Field. Being so close to the action made it feel like the essence of the Big 12 was tattooed to my face. The excitement saturated the air.
However, it didn’t last long. Oklahoma State had no intention of slouching in front of the homecoming atmosphere. Their tailback, Vernand Morency catapulted the Cowboys onto the board with a 61-yard speed race to the endzone. By halftime, Oklahoma State held a 21-0 lead courtesy of two Morency touchdowns and one Hail Mary reception as time expired. Any momentum that the Buffaloes vanished with the answered prayer at the half’s end.
The Cowboys continued their domination in the second half. The Colorado defense ate more turf than a barnyard of grazing cows. Each Cowboy score caused a minor tremor in the corner of Folsom Field as the band blared and the Oklahoma State fans waved their arms in unison to the fight song. Colorado fans began finding the exits around the fourth quarter to discover other ways of celebrating homecoming. The proud orange remained firmly positioned throughout their team’s domination and watched every moment of the 42-14 blowout of their conference foe. Oklahoma State proved themselves to be nothing short of impressive, while the Buffaloes, who started out with an impressive 3-0 record of their own, began to look like an aberration.
