Safety Ben Finneseth got a bit choked up on Saturday.
During a postgame press conference, the Colorado senior was asked what it means to him to get the opportunity he’s had this year with the Buffaloes.
A former walk-on from Durango High School, Finneseth played mainly special teams before this year. After playing just 26 defensive snaps in his four seasons at CU, he’s started both games this year, playing 69 snaps.
On Saturday during a 31-7 win against Delaware, he had three tackles and forced a fumble.
“I had to look in the mirror the other day, and I just started tearing up because it really is a dream come true for me. And … sorry,” he said as he paused to stop some tears. “Yeah, it’s just special moments, and it’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. And getting to show you guys what I’m capable of, and to do it for the guys next to me, it’s been super cool.”
Wyoming kickoff
On Monday, the Big 12 announced that CU’s Sept. 20 game against Wyoming at Folsom Field has been slated for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN.
It will be CU’s fourth night game in the first five weeks and also the fourth appearance on the ESPN flagship station. CU will have appeared on either ESPN or Fox in each of the first five weeks.
Greaves sizzling
Two games into his time with the Buffs, Damon Greaves is proving to be quite a weapon.
On Saturday, the junior, who transferred from Kansas in the offseason, was sensational. Greaves averaged 50.2 yards on five punts, including a career long of 67 yards that was the longest punt by a Buff since 2017, when Alex Kinney had a 70-yarder.
Greaves also had a 63-yard punt, as well as a 44-yarder that pinned Delaware at the 1-yard line and a 38-yarder that pinned the Blue Hens at their 6.
“I want to shout out my punt team and my snapper (Kameron Hawkins),” Greaves said. “Without those guys, I’m not able to execute to the best of my ability. … Personally, I feel like I’m in a good spot, but I’m on to next week now.”
This season, Greaves is averaging 47.6 yards on his punts, which ranks 12th nationally and first in the Big 12. He has landed five inside the 20-yard line and another at the 20.
Battling back
In the spring, cornerback Makari Vickers underwent heart surgery and didn’t participate in spring practices. He spent much of August out as well. On Saturday, however, the Oklahoma transfer made his CU debut.
Although he played just seven snaps, Vickers had a key pass breakup early in the game and a quarterback hurry.
“It was tremendous to see him out there,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “He’s been working his butt off. He’s pushing the start, too, man. He ain’t playing. We put the other corners on alert that this kid is coming to play. He ain’t coming to sit and he had a great, great, great week of practice. So I look forward to him being in more packages, and what he’s capable of doing helps us tremendously.”
Notable
Kickoff specialist Buck Buchanan has put all 11 of his kickoffs out of the end zone for touchbacks this season. CU and Oklahoma State are the only Big 12 teams that have not allowed a kickoff return. … After leading the Big 12 in sacks in 2024 (39, 3.0 per game), the Buffs are last in the conference in sacks through two games, at 1.0 per game.
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