Mark Vassett hasn’t been a Colorado Buffalo for long, but there could be some emotions when he plays at Folsom Field for the last time on Friday.
“It meant everything,” the veteran player said of his role as Buff. “I’m proud as hell to be a lifelong Buffalo. I have absolutely enjoyed my time here and can’t wait for one last win on Friday in Folsom.”
Of course, Vassett is not alone. Under head coach Deion Sanders, who only came to Boulder about two years ago, the roster has been overhauled to the point that only ten players – eight of them substitutes – remain from the 2022 team.
While the majority of the team hasn’t been here long – including 64 of the 108 players in their first season at CU – this is a group that has been widely embraced by Buff Nation and is sure to be widely celebrated when they play in the season Oklahoma State will play its home finale on Friday.
About two dozen seniors will say goodbye to CU and college football after this season, as will junior star Travis Hunter, who has already stated he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a separate podcast this week, CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders was asked what motivates him heading into Friday.
“That this is the last time I ever play at Folsom Field,” he said.
Colorado player Mark Vassett answers questions from the media during the Big 12 NCAA College Football Media Days in Las Vegas on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier) Led by Shedeur and Hunter, this was a transformational group that rescued the Buffs from the abyss of the 2022 season when they went 1-11.
This group has led CU to an 8-3 record to this point in the season, and although they suffered a disappointing 37-21 loss at Kansas last week, there is still a chance to reach the Big 12 title game. At least there will be a visit to a nice bowl game in December.
Among the group that plays its final game at Folsom Field on Friday will be arguably the best quarterback to ever play at CU in Shedeur, and arguably the greatest individual player the program has ever seen in Hunter Gone is winning the Heisman trophy in two weeks.
The senior group also includes many other influential players.
Safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig were the heartbeat of the defense, and cornerback Preston Hodge made big plays all season. LaVonta Bentley, Shane Cokes, BJ Green and Chidozie Nwankwo have helped transform the defense’s front seven.
On offense, Jimmy Horn Jr., Will Sheppard and LaJohntay Wester have teamed with Hunter to form one of the most dynamic receiver groups in the country. Offensive linemen Tyler Brown and Justin Mayers were fan favorites and made an impact along with Phillip Houston. And Vassett was a weapon for the punter.
“Everyone did a wonderful job,” said Coach Prime. “It’s a great day. But we have been preparing these young men for this day all season long, preparing them not only for the emotional part but also for the climax of the game. Everyone puts a lot of emphasis on this game, but what happens to these young men after this game?
Colorado seniors LaVonta Bentley (left), BJ Green (center) and Chidozie Nwankwo celebrate a stop against North Dakota State during an NCAA college football game on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) “I’m worried about what happens afterward, when they don’t have those jerseys anymore, when they don’t have that uniform anymore, when there’s no school anymore, when there’s no more collective money coming in, all that stuff, all the fanfare.”
For many of them, this is the end of their football career. But whether it’s players nearing the end of their careers in competitive football or Shedeur and Hunter who are projected to be among the top five picks in the NFL Draft, Friday will be special.
The goal of all of them is to make the whole thing as special as possible by winning.
“Just finish it,” Vassett said of the message to the team this week. “We need to have a strong finish compared to the other seniors who have done so much for this program. We have to finish and then give the fans here in Folsom another win.”
Originally published: November 28, 2024 at 1:20 pm MST
