Dan From The Tailgate

 We Coming… Part Two: Back to Boulder

And so back to Boulder I went! This time, for my final Dad’s weekend to hang out with my beautiful #3 and her crew of Buffs. Sko Buffs! I’ve written so much about Colorado over the years that it’s tough to add anything new, other than to say that the stadium, campus, and flatiron mountain backdrop are perhaps the most beautiful in all of college football. This Saturday was no different, with another great late-summer day in the high altitude of Boulder, CO.

Beautiful setting with my beautiful daughter!

True to form, I played my usual waiting game on tickets (which is a strong strategy, by the way). I snagged two tickets for me and my stepbrother, Brennan Huff, at just $83 each—before fees. No one else got their tickets for that price! Stick with me on game day, kids. I know what I’m doing.

Pregame Festivities

The pregame was hosted at  the house known as “The Chateau” on the Hill just off campus. The spread featured three types of homemade dips, chips, crackers,chocolate chip cookies with a football in the middle,  cold beer, seltzers, and gold Jell-O shots. Plenty of collegiate activities took place, including beer pong and cornhole—played by both the kids and the overgrown kids. Many people I have met over the three plus years # 3 has attended CU Boulder popped in and out throughout the day making it a very special event. After four solid hours of pre-gaming, we made the ¾-mile walk to Folsom Field to watch the Buffs take on the Baylor Bears. With Colorado now back in the Big 12, this renewed rivalry had some extra spice to it.

Clockwise top L-R - Don't challenge a pro, blurred vision, elder abuse, Pual Newman and his G-daughter and  me and #3

The Core Four and their dads! 

On the Gridiron

The first half was a back-and-forth affair in a light drizzle. Buffs QB1, Shedeur Sanders, was running for his life as the Colorado O-line resembled the French defense in WWII. On both sides of the ball, Travis Hunter played like an All-World talent, boosting his case for a Heisman invite. Despite Hunter’s heroics, Baylor went into halftime with a 24-17 lead and plenty of momentum.

In the third quarter, Colorado tied the game, only to surrender another Baylor touchdown. With the Bears up 31-24 and only two seconds left in the game,  Shedeur unleashed a 43-yard Hail Mary to LaJohntay Wester, sending the game into OT. It felt like a flashback to Doug Flutie’s famous 1984 Hail Mary against Miami.

In OT, the Buffs scored on their first possession. Baylor had a chance to answer, but on the 2-yard line, the Bears' runner fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone. Game over! The students rushed the field before security could stop them.The play was under review which temporarily stymied the celebration. Once confirmed, the security team in yellow was trampled! The heavy drizzle felt refreshing in one of the most thrilling finishes I’ve seen live.

Clockwise top L-R- The gang, the first field storming, Dale Doback and Brennan Huff, best jacket ever!

Around the Country

• ESPN College GameDay was in Norman, OK, for Oklahoma’s first SEC game against Tennessee. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was QB1 for the Sooners back in 2000 when they won their last National championship. He also was their offensive coordinator a decade ago and was fired and replaced by the traitorous Lincoln Riley. I am sure internally he felt like he had a lot to prove coming back to Norman for the first time since then. The Sooners looked awful on offense, and QB1 Jackson Arnold was benched midway through. Tennessee walked away with a 25-15 win that didn’t even feel that close.

• The aforementioned Lincoln Riley’s Big Ten debut with the USC Trojans was knocked down a peg, losing to Michigan in the Big House. This matchup used to only happen in an occasional Rose Bowl.

• In a heavyweight Big 12 matchup, Utah impressed on the road with a big win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK.

• In Baton Rouge, the Tigers did the mauling on the Bruins, winning by two touchdowns.

• Clemson and Miami dominated NC State and USF in the ACC in respective beatdowns.

• Navy shocked the Group of Five darlings Memphis with a drubbing in Annapolis.

• In the wildest scoreline of the week, James Madison beat UNC 70-50 in what looked more like a basketball game.

• Don't look now, but both Florida and Florida state scored wins this weekend cooling down those red hot seats for both of their coaches for the time being.

• FCS powerhouse North Dakota State handled Towson with a 41-20 victory.

Bieber of the Week

Last week’s Bieber Award went to the guy who ran out of gas. This week, we have a new awardee. During the third quarter of the Colorado-Baylor game, I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye, as a very intoxicated young lady shot down the steps near our seats like a cannon clown at a circus.. She failed to navigate the stairs, careening down them like a cannonball, before bouncing off the metal bleachers with a nasty thud. As people rushed to help, all she could say was, “Where’s my cell phone?” No doubt, she was trying to text while walking down steep, wet steps. Congratulations, unknown drunk girl, you may have incurred a concussion but at least you’ve earned this week’s Bieber Award!

Ginger of the Week

After last week’s Bieber fiasco, I’m redeeming myself with the Ginger Award for my ticket-buying prowess. Through six games this year, I’ve paid a grand total of $120! Prior to this Colorado game, I had 5 games for $37. My secret is playing the waiting game and scoring deals. Anytime I have pulled the trigger too early, I have been burned. If you recall, last year, Mrs. Tailgate earned the Bieber Award for buying tickets way too early! Now I am going to be in the doghouse again.

Next Week

The Dons of Danville, along with our token Scotsman, are headed to the Shack near 30A for some pre-gaming before making the trek to Tuscaloosa for the Georgia vs. Alabama showdown. Hangover cure has been shipped in bulk to my house as a preventative measure. There’s also  Hurricane Helene brewing in the Gulf that may impact our plans, so stay tuned for updates.

Happy Tailgating!