Chase Wilson has plenty of great long-term memories about the Rocky Mountain Showdown growing up in Arvada, where he and his family made a tradition of gathering around the TV to watch CSU versus CU.
His short-term memory of the game, which his Rams lost in double OT last year? Not as lovely.
“I always remember turning it on in the living room with my family, and my mom would be making dinner or some sort of Saturday lunch, and it was a big event in our house,” CSU’s redshirt senior middle linebacker said.
“… (But in terms of last season), the accumulation of CU’s whole last scoring drive (to force overtime) is what stuck with me. Throughout the drive there were execution mistakes across the board on defense. The whole drive as a collective is that sour taste that’s lingered.”
Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders drove CU 98 yards to score and convert the game-tying two-point conversion with 36 seconds left in regulation. CU then won in the second extra period, 43-35, to send a raucous black-and-gold crowd streaming onto Folsom Field.
But this year, with the rivalry back in Fort Collins for the first time since 1996 and making its Canvas Stadium debut, Wilson and his teammates will have a green-and-gold crowd at their backs. And the goal for the Rams defense is the same as the theme of the week: “Finish.”
As for all the emotions that came out of last year’s defeat, including Sanders’ watch flex at CSU head coach Jay Norvell and the ugly aftermath of Henry Blackburn’s vicious hit on Travis Hunter, Wilson took the high road.
“We’re here to play a football game … to make our community proud, make our coaches proud and our families proud,” the Rams captain said. “That’s what we’re focused on right now. Everything in the past is in the past. We have a great opportunity this weekend and we’re looking forward to that.”
The Ralston Valley alum is one of a handful of impact locals on both sides who will suit up for the last Rocky Mountain Showdown until 2029 when the rivalry picks back up at Canvas Stadium.
The six-game agreement runs through 2038, meaning there will be gaps between games in a rivalry that dates back to 1893 and was played annually from 1995 through 2019. The game was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and the schools didn’t schedule each other in 2021 or ’22.
Wilson, for one, isn’t a fan of seeing the rivalry not renewed on an annual basis.
“I know there’s a little kid out there that’s just like I was who loves to watch the Rocky Mountain Showdown every year, and now there’s going to be a gap of five years where they don’t get to watch it,” Wilson said. “(Looking ahead past the next agreement), they should make an effort to keep it on every year. That is above my pay grade, but that’s my two cents.”
While Wilson is a centerpiece in the middle of the CSU defense with 15 tackles so far, another Jeffco product will be key across the line of scrimmage from him.
With CU starting running back Dallan Hayden out on Saturday due to injury, Dakota Ridge alum Charlie Offerdahl figures to loom large in the Buffs run game. So far, CU’s been ineffective running the ball, with just 126 yards rushing through two games. The Rams need to keep it that way if they have any hope of upsetting the Buffs.
CSU has lost six straight in the series, with the Rams’ last win coming in Denver in 2014.
“Charlie runs the ball extremely hard, he’s an elusive back, and he does a great job for them,” Wilson said. “It just comes down to effort and execution and strength. That’s what we need to do to stop the run. … And a lot of credit to Shedeur as well; he’s a great quarterback. But we just have to trust our coaches that they’re putting our defense in a great position to win the game.”
Locals in the 2024 Rocky Mountain Showdown
A look at local high school products expected to see playing time on Saturday at Canvas Stadium.
Colorado
Soph. C Hank Zilinskas (Cherry Creek); Jr. RB Charlie Offerdahl (Dakota Ridge); Jr. DE Arden Walker (Cherry Creek); Gr. TE Sam Hart (Cherokee Trail)
Colorado State
Gr. S Henry Blackburn (Fairview); Sr. S Jack Howell (Valor Christian); R-Sr. LB Chase Wilson (Ralston Valley); R-Soph. RT Aaron Karas (Pomona); R-Jr. DL Mukendi Wa-Kalonji (Grandview); R-Jr. LB Jaseim Mitchell (Harrison); R-Soph. RB Keegan Holles (Cherry Creek); R-Fr. LS Morgan Tribbett (Eaton); RS Soph. DL Gabe Kirschke (Valor Christian)
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