It only takes a handful of fans at any college football game to put a stain on the entire crowd. Whatâs happened the last two times the Colorado Buffaloes have played a home game isnât an indictment of all CU fans, but thereâs an uncomfortable pattern developing that the school and the program are trying to get out in front of. The school is adding extra security at the Buffs remaining two home games to monitor fan behavior. CU hosts Arizona on Saturday.
Issue at Colorado began with visit from BYU
Back on September 27th, when the Buffs hosted Big 12 conference rival BYU, derogatory chants were hurled at the BYU players during the game and as they exited the field.
The school was fined $50,000 by the conference. The University and Head Coach Deion Sanders offered a public apologies.
“BYU, we love you. We appreciate you, and we support you,” Sanders said.
Then, after CU upset nationally ranked Iowa State in Boulder on October 11th, a wild postgame scene unfolded as the fans stormed the field â against conference rules â to take down the goal posts following the unexpected victory. Initially, it was thought the school would have to cough up another $50K for breaking the âno field stormingâ rule. Sanders was surprised â apparently no one had told him that field storming had become a no-no around the country â and offered up an idea to help offset the fine.
âCâmon man. That ainât right,â he told the media. âI mean, these kids, well, we have 50,000 (fans at the game), right? We can chip in. Letâs chip in. That’s how it was when I grew up. You know, we going somewhere, everybody, before you get in the car with some gas, you gotta chip in.â
Later, after video footage was reviewed, it was determined that the CU staff had followed all the proper protocols and the fine was not levied. But the post-game issues didnât end there.
Former Buff turned Cyclone wide receiver Chase Sowell â who was one of the former Buffs cut loose by Sanders upon his arrival in December of 2022 â was seen on video tussling with one of the fans who stormed the field. The fan was trying to steal Sowellâs helmet as the player was attempting to reach the visitorâs locker room. Sowell kept his headgear and was not harmed.
Another unidentified fan was photographed trapped under a goal post. That fan was not seriously injured.
Rowdy behavior at CU games is nothing new
Folsom Field is known for rowdy and somewhat unique fan behavior, particularly in the student section. The second quarter has traditionally become the time when the students collectively imbibe with their marijuana contraband. The result in a pungent cloud that permeates the CU sidelines. Even Sanders, whose been a vocal supporter of the students behavior, was caught off guard earlier in the season when he first got wind of what was happening.
“The smell of weed in the second quarter, it surprised the heck out of me,â Sanders chuckled as the talked with Denverâs CBS4 TV anchor Romi Bean on his weekly coaches show. âLike every game, I’m like ‘dang,’” he said, referring to the odor. “It seems like it’s like a ‘light up quarter.’ You know what I’m saying?
“So is this the quarter that y’all chose?” Sanders continued. “I’m serious. It’s a TV timeout, it never fails. And I’m like ‘Wow, what’s going on?’ Because, you know, I’ve never been high a day of my life, so that’s kind of new to me.”
Sanders has repeatedly praised the CU faithful during the season. The Buffs have two more home games in their remaining schedule, this Saturday November 22nd against Arizona State. Theyâre still trying to reach the six-win minimum needed for a return to the postseason.
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