Buff Bites: Buffaloes football previews beginning to roll out

Why the future is bright for Tad and company, a not so surprising guest for Dead & Company and an anniversary for a Buffs coaching legend. Buff Bites is non-stop shopping for all your CU sports news and more.

CAN THE BUFS KEEP THE MAGIC GOING IN 2017?

After years of sub-par results, the Buffs burst back onto the college football scene last fall, finishing 10-4 and reaching their first bowl game in nearly a decade. So, what will the Buffs do for an encore in 2017? SBNation college football writer Bill Connelly previews the big year ahead for CU.

RALPHIE ON THE RUN

On May 25^th, ESPN’s College Gameday began counting down the 100 days until the return of the popular Saturday morning show with their Top-100 College Football moments. Checking in at No. 84 was the time a young Ralphie V got loose, escaping from her handlers during her very first run prior to the Buffs 2008 Spring Game.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Long before Ralphie V made her debut, coach Bill McCartney roamed the sidelines at Folsom Field. This past Friday (June 9^th) marked the 35-year anniversary of when McCartney, ‘The unlikely choice,’ was hired to replace Chuck Fairbanks as Colorado’s 20^th head football coach.

For more on Coach Mac’s hiring in June of 1982, check out this great memory from CUatthegame.com.

THANKS FOR 44!

Preceding both McCartney and Ralphie V in Boulder was Senior Audio Engineer/Technical Director John Templeton. After four-plus decades at Colorado, Templeton recently announced his retirement. CUBuffs.com contributing editor Neill Woelk wrote this nice piece about the CU legend and the many events he covered.

FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR CU MEN’S HOOPS

From one era ending to a new era beginning. There will be a lot of new faces on Tad Boyle’s squad for 2017-18. My colleagues Jack Barsch and Sam Metivier wrote this great column on why CU’s Men’s hoops team - despite their inexperience - will be fun to watch this season and beyond.

‘DOWN IN FRONT’

Perhaps the world’s tallest dead-head, former UCLA legend and NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton was on hand to take in a Dead & Company concert at Folsom Field last week.

As you can see from this photo, Walton was standing about ten rows back watching John Meyer jam with the former Grateful Dead members. Man, I’d hate to be the person standing behind that 6’11 giant. Tad Boyle could use his size in the frontcourt this season.

“THAT’S THE FASTEST HE’S MOVED SINCE HE PLAYED FOOTBALL AT COLORADO”

With it being U.S. Open week, here’s a look back at one of the most memorable putts in the history of America’s Championship. In 1990, former Buffs cornerback Hale Irwin drained this dramatic putt for birdie on the 18^th hole at Medinah Country Club to move to 8-under par; a score that would eventually land him in a playoff with Mike Donald.

The 45-year old Irwin then outlasted Donald over 19 holes the following day to become the oldest winner of the U.S. Open. Here’s a great recap written by Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Michael Bamberger two years ago on the 25^th anniversary of Irwin’s historic win.

BUFFS ‘FAN OF THE WEEK’

You think this little dude is ready for football season?

81 days and counting!