Ralphie the buffalo made the trip to Texas with the Colorado football team for the Alamo Bowl

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.

CHRISTIAN-lighter
Ralphie is led out of her trailer. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)  college football; sports; cu; boulder; buffalos; kevinjbeaty; denverite; colorado; ralphie;

Ralphie V will run at the Buffaloes' bowl game Thursday. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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.

Folsom Field, as seen reflected in Ralphie the mascot's eye. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)  college football; sports; cu; boulder; buffalos; kevinjbeaty; denverite; colorado; ralphie;

This is Ralphie V's first ever run at a bowl game. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Subscribe to Denverite’s weekly sports newsletter here.

 

Weird times

Denverite is powered by you. In these weird times, the local vigilance, the local context, the local flavor — it’s powered through your donations. If you’d miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today.

You’re our superpower

Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.

You’re our superpower

Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.