Buzz Calkins on College Football: Buffaloed in Ann Arbor
18 September 1997
(Note: Indy Racing League driver Buzz Calkins, a graduate of the University of Colorado, is an avid U.C. football fan. This past Saturday, Buzz and his father journeyed to Ann Arbor, Michigan where his alma mater faced the University of Michigan. Following is a play-by-play of his trip.) BUZZ CALKINS: This is what college football is all about -- the anticipation, the excitement! In only the third week of the season, there are already major showdowns. This was the biggest game of the weekend, number seven Colorado against thirteenth-ranked Michigan. This contest was even more an attraction because for the past couple of years the Buffalos and Wolverines have put on a show with some dazzling finishes. In 1994 the Buffalos visited Michigan, and the game went down to the final seconds. Kordell Stewart, who is now with the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers, threw a Hail Mary pass into the end zone and Michael Westbrooks, who is with the Washington Redskins, caught it for the winning touchdown with no time left on the clock. Then just last season the ending was much the same, only Colorado lost. I've always been a Colorado football fan and couldn't help myself since my mother and father attended the university. I was in school there from 1989 to 1993. Dad has been a big supporter, and that's how we got to know Head Coach Rick Neuheisel. We've become good friends, and he attends our races whenever his schedule allows, often working with my pit crew. Coach Neuheisel quarterbacked UCLA in the early 1980's and was the Rose Bowl's Most Valuable Player one year. Dad and I arrived in Detroit Friday evening and stayed at the team's hotel near the airport. We had dinner with Coach Neuheisel and his family and then joined other Colorado alumni at a party. Everyone was excited and couldn't wait for Saturday afternoon. A fall football Saturday in Ann Arbor is something special. The campus is beautiful, and of course Michigan is steeped in gridiron history and tradition. The Wolverines have won ten national championships, and produced scores of All Americans, including two Heisman Trophy winners, this year's Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard and Tom Harmon. Jim Harbaugh, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback who is starting an IRL team, played there. We went to the game with some of Coach Neuheisel's relatives and arrived at Michigan Stadium early for tailgating. It was a perfect sunny day, and everywhere you looked it was nothing but a sea of blue and maize, which are Michigan's colors. The players seemed charged for the game during warmups. We were on the sideline watching as the crowd filed into the stadium. Michigan Stadium is sunken in the ground and holds over 102-thousand fans. The total for this contest was nearly 106-thousand. There is no difference in a football player and race car driver before an event. We were in the Colorado locker room before they took the field for the game. It was electric! The tension is unbelievable. Some players were quiet with their eyes closed, while others paced back-and-forth and some listened to walkman radios. I could relate to the players as there's nothing like the feeling before you go into action. A gentleman whose son played for Colorado and died several months ago, gave a short speech which was very emotional. Coach Neuheisel gave his pep talk and onto the field went the Buffalos. However, unfortunately they left their game in the locker room. This was not to be a day of gridiron glory for my alma mater. Colorado made a lot of mistakes in the first half and trailed at intermission 10-0. It was frustrating and even though we were down I couldn't help but think if we eliminate the mistakes, we could win the game. Being on the sideline for any football game is a thrill. You're right on top of the action, seeing the players' facial expressions and hearing the popping sound of the contact and even the grunts and groans. It's also pretty neat hearing the coaches talk and listening to the strategy. I overheard one coach tell his player that when he hit the ball carrier, it sounded like a mosquito falling into a barrel of molasses. You can hear just about anything. The Michigan fans are loud and show a lot of support, but nothing like at the University of Colorado. To say this tactfully, paying representatives of my alma mater are a little more exuberant! The second half didn't provide a happy ending. The final score was Michigan 27, Colorado 3. Back in the locker room, everyone was down and it was quiet. It's just like if you have a bad race, there's a somber mood. Of course, there's always another time. If it's a bad afternoon, you always want to get back out there as soon as possible. I can certainly relate to that. The Buffalos are back on the field Saturday after next against Wyoming. Unfortunately, I have to wait a while longer between races. If you were a Colorado fan this contest didn't have any highlights, just low lights. However, some friends told me ABC Television aired a story on Coach Neuheisel working in my pits. That's a highlight for me, and I'm looking forward to getting a video of the game. Also, you have to give Colorado credit, the Buffalos are playing a tough schedule early. There's no doubt they'll bounce back from this defeat. That's something I know about _ regrouping and getting ready for the next show. Right now it's my turn to provide the "cheer ups" for Coach Neuheisel and hope he doesn't have to do the same for me after Las Vegas on October 11th. ..IRL97-54..