Colorado football fans react poorly after team’s abysmal start to season

As more than 45,000 fans packed into Colorado’s Folsom Field on a warm September night, the electric feeling of Colorado Buffaloes football was back in the air. With 14,000 sports passes sold, thousands of students flocked to the historic stadium in crowds of black attire. The lights were on and the band was playing. Chants broke out as the stadium awaited for the highly anticipated season to start. After what seemed like an eternity, Ralphie VI finally took off, signifying the beginning of another football season in Boulder. 

With Texas Christian University deciding to kick off, the Buffaloes started the season with a chance to score on their opening drive–an opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the year. After starting in great position at their own 40-yard line, Colorado found themselves in a third and 10 situation. Quickly, the home crowd started to fear another losing season was on the way–potentially the program’s fifteenth losing season in the past two decades. 

Calm as ever, sophomore quarterback Brendon Lewis dropped back, delivering a strike to senior wideout Daniel Arias down the Colorado sideline for 25 yards. The pressure suddenly lightened–will the Buffaloes finally turn it around?

After another first down, the Buffaloes had three rushes for nine yards, leaving them with fourth and one at TCU’s fifteen yard line. Despite having the opportunity to settle for a field goal, the offense stayed on the field. As the crowd roared, Brendon Lewis sat in shotgun. Lewis caught the snap, breaking for the TCU sideline. In an attempt to keep Colorado’s opening drive alive, Lewis was met with multiple white and purple defenders, coming up short of the first down. A silence fell over the crowd. 

Since that failed fourth down conversion, the Buffaloes have gone on to lose their first three games of the season by an average of almost 33 points. With an offense that has yet to break 13 points and a defense that cannot hold an opposing offense under 38 points, there are problems on both sides of the ball. The defense has yet to stop the run, allowing opposing teams to average 348 rushing yards a game. However, it is quite hard to play defense when you have to be on the field 12 more minutes than your offense every game. With such struggles and a lack of potential, many fans have given up on the team just three games in.

While Colorado was not predicted to be good, or average for that matter, many did not expect this type of start–and they have not been quiet about it. On a trip across campus, it would be rare to not overhear a group of students talking about Colorado’s lack of success. Any look at social media on a Buffaloes gameday will be accompanied by a flurry of criticisms regarding the team’s performance. By just simply going to class, it would not be out of the ordinary to hear the professor cracking a joke about the team’s success–or lack thereof. 

Amid the widespread criticism, there has been a common theme: fire head coach Karl Dorrell. In Dorrell’s three seasons at Colorado, he has led the football team to an 8-13 record. While 8-13 is not necessarily a record to freak out about, the margins that Colorado has lost by is what has set most fans off. With games being televised on national television, it is not great for the program to get humiliated by three or more scores. Not only does the poor performance negatively impact the team now, but it also impacts its future. When recruits tune into an ESPN matchup where Colorado gets blown out, it is not ideal for the program. No one wants to play for a team that gets embarrassed, let alone loses.

Barstool Buffs shared their outrage over a Twitter post.

What’s going to cost more?

– Karl Dorrell’s buyout

– The damage to the program if Dorrell continues as head coach

Your move @RickGeorgeCU

— Barstool Colorado (@CUBarstool) September 17, 2022

Maria Olugbode, a sophomore at Colorado and sister of former Colorado linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, shared her thoughts regarding the team’s performance. 

“It’s very upsetting and frustrating to watch CU football struggle all these years,” Olugbode said. “I feel like they have potential to win but aren’t able to follow through.”

The last time Colorado had a non-shortened winning season, Maria’s brother Kenneth was in his senior year. The inside linebacker recorded 130 tackles, helping Colorado to a 10-4 record and a bowl game appearance in 2016. Maria believes that the 2016 team played better as a team in comparison to the losing Colorado teams. “The defense was really good, they showed that they were a team and bonded together,” Maria told The Bold.

In the midst of another potential losing season, Maria is still hopeful for the team’s success. 

“I think the football team can turn it around,” Maria said. “The defense is doing well but gets too tired when the offense doesn’t capitalize after the defense has been out there so long. The offense needs to trust the quarterback and make sure that they follow through with the team.”

While Maria is feeling as disappointed as other Colorado fans, her outlook on the team is more positive than many others. As a long-time supporter and relative of a former player, Maria has seen firsthand what it takes to be a winning football team. 

With Colorado coming back to Folsom on Sept. 24 to face the undefeated UCLA Bruins, the Buffaloes will have one last chance at redemption. While a win is what Colorado fans would like to see the most, Colorado does not necessarily need one to keep fans on board. Going in as 20-point underdogs, the Buffaloes are not expected to win. However, a gritty, solid performance may be enough to keep Colorado fans optimistic for the rest of the season.

With such a tall task at hand, this leaves one question for next Saturday: Have the Buffaloes already given up or will they show the heart and talent they claim to have?