HuskerfaninOkieland Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Daily Camera Officers bracing for CU-NU game problems Coach Hawkins vows to forfeit if fans act up By Vanessa Miller (Contact) Wednesday, November 21, 2007 The University of Colorado Buffaloes have been squaring off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers after Thanksgiving for years, but a new set of circumstances this season has CU officials and police wondering what they'll see in the stands for the rivalry game Friday. This is the first time since CU started giving students the whole Thanksgiving week off that the game will be in Boulder. The 10 a.m. start time also is earlier than normal. And then there's the cold weather forecasters are predicting. "This will have a new dynamic for us," said CU police Cmdr. Tim McGraw. "This set of factors has never presented itself to us before." Typically, when the University of Nebraska brings its footballers to town, the stands are packed, and it's "one of the busier games," McGraw said. During some of the more heated contests in both Boulder and Lincoln, fan angst has led onlookers to spit on players, toss projectiles and spar with each other. But CU officials said they aren't even sure how many people will show up to this week's game, which is one of the biggest rivalries of the season. "We'll have to wait and see what the impact is," McGraw said. Two years ago, at the teams' last meeting in Boulder, authorities cleared two student sections for the first time in Folsom Field history after frustrated fans started pitching items onto the field. Nebraska pounded CU 30-3 in that game. This year's match-up promises more-competitive play and brings bowl-game consequences, with each team sitting on a 5-6 record. But McGraw said he doesn't expect a repeat of the 2005 fan behavior — if, for no other reason, because the weather is expected to be freezing. "We ordered 20-degree temperatures at kick-off, and 38 for a high," McGraw said. "That will keep people bundled up, with their hands in their pockets." Added police and security officers have patrolled past Nebraska games at Folsom Field, but McGraw said this week's game will be staffed like any other this season. About 70 officers will be working the event, not including ushers. "Having the 10 a.m. kick-off will make things easier on us," he said. "So many of our issues are alcohol-related, and they'll have less time to tailgate." CU sports information director Dave Plati said he thinks the early start time could have more of an effect on crowd turnout than fan behavior. Because many students went home for the week, coming back the morning after Thanksgiving — "with all that turkey in their system" — might be tough, Plati said. Plati said if fans do act out, head coach Dan Hawkins has vowed to pull his team off the field. "He'll forfeit the game," Plati said. "He won't stand for that behavior." Contact Camera Staff Writer Vanessa Miller at 303-473-1329 or millerv@dailycamera.com. Quote Link to comment
Husker Deb Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Well, we'll believe THAT when we see it! Quote Link to comment
Dan_F_30 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Nebraska fans will take up 1/3 of the crowd that is actually there. A lot of CU fans aren't going to go i'm sure because they aren't the type to go out in adverse conditions and support a team they generally don't care about. Could be good for NU! Quote Link to comment
Pasadena Husker Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 never in a million years would he forfeit. it is beyond me why he would say such a thing when he would obviously never carry through with it. Quote Link to comment
Dan_F_30 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 never in a million years would he forfeit. it is beyond me why he would say such a thing when he would obviously never carry through with it. One thing to keep in mind, it wasn't Hawkins who said it, it was the SID, Plati, who wants to spin it to look like Hawkins is a stand-up guy. Maybe sort of a warning to the beligerant CU fans. No way would a coach ever forfeit a game unless forced to by the officials. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 That's awesome that Hawkins made that statement. I just hope there's no reason for him to have to follow through on that threat. Quote Link to comment
Husker Deb Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Would a stand up guy say the "Best day /worst day" statement? Quote Link to comment
BeachBuffs Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 What are you all bitching about, this is what you wanted? You as well as I want the game to be played on the field, Hawk is warning the students, I applaud him for it. I think some of you all are hoping for a problem........ Quote Link to comment
billdozer15 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 The simple fact that Hawkins had to make that statement speaks volumes of the kind of character present at Folsum field.......................absolutely none. What a joke. I cant remember the last time a HC anywhere had to make a game plan for henious acts committed by his own fan base. I'll CU....never in Boulder. Quote Link to comment
MCAT800 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 What are you all bitching about, this is what you wanted? You as well as I want the game to be played on the field, Hawk is warning the students, I applaud him for it. I think some of you all are hoping for a problem........ You don't have to hope for a problem to present itself from the sCUm fans, it's a certainty Quote Link to comment
BackNBlack97 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 CU police Cmdr. Tim McGraw Since when did the country signer get a regular job? Quote Link to comment
admo Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Since when did weed make fans so violent? Seriously though, I think it says a lot, that Hawkins and Co. want a good hard fought football game w/o fan interference. Quote Link to comment
BeachBuffs Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Since when did weed make fans so violent? Seriously though, I think it says a lot, that Hawkins and Co. want a good hard fought football game w/o fan interference. You and I get it, Hawk wants to clean up the image that Barnett and Neuheisal left, I would have never expected a backlash over it here. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 What are you all bitching about, this is what you wanted? You as well as I want the game to be played on the field, Hawk is warning the students, I applaud him for it. I think some of you all are hoping for a problem........ What the hell are YOU talking about? Please point out from the posts before this one which of us were "bitching" about this article. Who is "hoping for a problem?" Seriously - where are you seeing this? Quote Link to comment
REDSTEEL Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 So Husker fans going to the game don't forget to wear your colorado shirts and something to throw on the field Try not to yell GO BIG RED after they start taking you out of the stadium otherwise it just gives you away. Quote Link to comment
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