Every member of the Colorado football team will get their first taste of bowl action on Thursday when the 11th ranked Buffaloes take on No. 13 Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl. It’s been nine years since Colorado last appeared in a bowl game.

Also getting her first taste of bowl action will be Ralphie V, the school’s 1,200-pound buffalo mascot who was recently recognized as the Best Entrance in College Football.

Ralphie IV ran at Colorado’s last bowl game in 2007, a 30-24 loss to Alabama. Now it’s Ralphie V’s turn. Thursday will mark the first time she’s ever run outside the state of Colorado.

A Ralphie has run at all of the school’s bowl games, except for two Aloha Bowls, since the running-of-the-buffalo tradition started in 1967, the school says.

Ralphie V’s run will look a little different than it does at Folsom Field. Instead of making right turns on the horseshoe route, she’ll be making left turns.

“We have had two extra practices to get Ralphie and the handlers ready to go to the Alamo Bowl,” said program manager John Graves. “We would’ve had three, but the snow cancelled our practice. But we’ll have another practice the day before the game as well at the Alamodome.”

Colorado (11-3) kicks off against Oklahoma State (9-3) at 7 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

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