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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..