Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Work, Then Play On Christmas Day
December 25, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
SAN ANTONIO — The Colorado Buffaloes woke up Christmas morning and went to work.
None of them seemed to mind.
While it is definitely not what the No. 10 Buffs are used to doing on Christmas, they know it comes with the territory of playing in a bowl game. Given that Thursday's Valero Alamo Bowl date with No. 12 Oklahoma State (7 p.m., ESPN) will be the first for the Colorado program since 2007, the excitement and novelty of the postseason far outweigh any normal drudgery that practice might entail.
Not that it was all work and no play for Mike MacIntyre's Buffaloes. After practice, the team returned to its downtown hotel, then headed off to the AT&T Center to watch the San Antonio Spurs meet the Chicago Bulls. Also on the agenda this week is a visit to SeaWorld San Antonio, a barbecue/pep rally and other events geared specifically for players.
But, as CU senior outside linebacker Jimmie Gilbert noted after Sunday's practice, "I don't think anyone has lost sight of the fact that we're here on a business trip. We're going to enjoy our time, enjoy the activities, but we're still being as focused as possible."
Sunday was the Buffs' first practice in San Antonio. They arrived in town Saturday evening after a full-pads practice in Boulder.
CU's practice headquarters in San Antonio are at the University of the Incarnate Word.
"It's going great," MacIntyre said. "The kids had an excellent practice today and the facilities at Incarnate Word are super. Everything we need, so it was a good day."
MacIntyre and his coaching staff have discussed how to strike a balance this week between allowing the players to enjoy the bowl trip and the activities that accompany it and still make sure they are well-prepared for Thursday's game.
It helps that this bunch is a senior-dominated team with plenty of incentive to finish on a winning note.
"You have to know how to compartmentalize," MacIntyre said. "That's what the guys can do. Enjoy their time, but when we get ready for meetings and football practice, they have to be focused and locked in to be physical, or we won't have a good game. Today they did that and they've been doing that the whole practice time."
Unlike a regular season game, the Buffs have had plenty of time to install their game plan for the Cowboys, something they accomplished for the most part before leaving for San Antonio. This week, they'll fine-tune the game plan, make any last-minute adjustments necessary and hope to hit the Alamodome on Thursday without showing any rust from not playing a game in nearly four weeks.
"The biggest thing is to enjoy the moment, enjoy what we're doing — but when it comes down to practice and meetings, make sure you are concentrating," Gilbert said. "I think all of us realize what's going on and what's at stake. We're all paying attention to the details."
As Gilbert noted, there's still plenty at stake for this team. While these 10-3 Buffs are just the eighth team in CU history to win at least 10 games, they can move onto an even more elite list with just one more win. Currently, only three teams in CU history have won 11 games.
"I think everyone realizes the opportunity we have," Gilbert said. "For everyone here, the majority of the time we've struggled. Now we have the chance to do something that only three teams in CU history have done. To finish on a winning note would be outstanding and I think it would show the hard work and dedication all the older guys have put in. To go off on the right note would be great for all of us."
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice again Monday, as will Oklahoma State.
Mike Gundy's Cowboys arrived in San Antonio on Friday, practiced on Saturday at Alamo Heights High School and took Sunday off.
Both teams will have press conferences with selected assistant coaches and players on Monday and Tuesday with the head coaches scheduled for a joint press conference on Wednesday.
The Buffs will have a walk-through at the Alamodome on Wednesday afternoon.
BOWL EXPERIENCE: While the Cowboys have plenty of bowl experience on their roster — they are playing in their 11th straight bowl game — the Buffs have just three players with any kind of bowl experience.
One player who will be active for Thursday's game, senior tackle Shane Callahan, has suited up for a bowl game. Callahan did so in 2013 when he was a freshman at Auburn and the Tigers played Florida State in the BCS championship game. Another Buff, wide receiver Juwann Winfree, played for Maryland in the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl against Stanford. Winfree though, has not played this season because of a knee injury and is redshirting. A third Buff, linebacker Deaysean Rippy, was a redshirt freshman at Pitt when the Panthers played in BBVA Compass Bowl at the end of the 2012 season.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
