September 15th 2024.
Fort Collins- The atmosphere outside Canvas Stadium on Saturday afternoon perfectly captured the ups and downs of being a college football fan in the midst of a chaotic landscape. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as thousands of tailgaters, both young and old, gathered to support their beloved CSU Rams. The added bonus of welcoming long-time rival Colorado to Fort Collins for the first time in 28 years only added to the buzz, but the news earlier in the week that the Rams would be joining the prestigious Pac-12 conference in 2026 truly took things to the next level. For fans who have endured years of frustration and uncertainty about the future of their team, this was a moment of pure joy and relief.
Harold Ogden, a dedicated CSU fan for over 25 years, summed up the sentiments of many in attendance: "It's been a crazy week with all the Pac-12 news. But for everyone I've talked to, it's a huge deal for a couple of reasons. First of all, it gives us a shot at joining a power conference and staying relevant in the ever-changing landscape of college football. And secondly, it's just a great opportunity for growth and development as a program. I have no doubt that the Pac-12 will be a fantastic league to be a part of."
Like many teams in the "Group of Five," CSU has long aspired to join the ranks of the top college football programs. So when the news of their inclusion in the Pac-12 realignment broke, it was met with unanimous excitement from Rams fans. And to make things even sweeter, it was their rival Colorado who played a role in the conference's reshuffling, giving CSU the chance to be a part of the revival.
Even as they celebrate this milestone, CSU fans can't help but think about the teams that may be left behind. Allison Rittner, an alum who has been attending games for 30 years, shared her thoughts on the matter: "I'm thrilled about this move. It's been long overdue. We need a couple more teams in there to make it even better. Of course, it's tough to leave behind the rivalries with Wyoming and Air Force, but change is necessary for growth."
As the tailgates continued to fill up with enthusiastic fans, it was clear that the focus of the day was on the highly anticipated showdown with Colorado. Rittner sported a shirt she had purchased from a local bookstore the week before that read, "Buffalo, that's what's for dinner," a popular choice among Rams fans. Ogden, a member of the RamJam Tailgate Team, donned their signature Hawaiian shirt with coach Jay Norvell's face on it, a testament to the team's strong sense of camaraderie and community.
According to Ogden, Canvas Stadium was built for occasions like this: "We've had some big games with huge crowds before, but this is different. The atmosphere here on campus is just fantastic. Having the stadium right here in the heart of everything makes a world of difference. And today, with the Buffs in town, it's just electric."
Inside the stadium, CSU students filled their section in the lower bowl over 90 minutes before kickoff, and the rest of the stadium was nearly at capacity as well. As the teams took the field, the crowd erupted in cheers, especially when star player Tory Horton was announced in the starting lineup. But there was also a fair share of boos for Colorado coach Deion Sanders during his pregame warmups, as well as some playful taunting from Buffs players Shadeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
For the first time since 1996, Colorado played in Fort Collins, and it was also their first time at Canvas Stadium. In the past, the Rams played in an off-campus stadium, but now they had the opportunity to showcase their team and their community on their own turf.
Jon and Melissa Yost, parents of CSU freshman Luke Yost, were among the sea of green and gold in the stands. Their daughter Emma is a junior at Colorado, adding an extra layer of excitement to this long-awaited showdown. Jon and Melissa were thrilled to see the support and enthusiasm from the CSU community leading up to the game: "As parents of a student, we've received so many emails promoting this game as a chance for our community to come together and show our support. It's been amazing to see."
Their son Luke, who was eagerly awaiting the game in the student section, even went as far as to paint his nails with "F CU," a playful jab at his sister's school. As Melissa puts it, "He's pumped for this game. And honestly, being able to play CU at home makes it even more special. Just look around, this is incredible. We're here every weekend for home games, but this is on a whole other level."
In the end, the CSU Rams emerged victorious, much to the delight of their dedicated fans. As the crowds dispersed and the excitement of the game faded, one thing remained clear: this game, this moment, was truly special and a testament to the unwavering support of the CSU community.
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