Playbook Plates

Written By: Aidan DeMuro

Yesterday, Colorado secured a commanding 34-7 victory on the road against Arizona. As I watched the Buffs’ dominance unfold, I was around a campfire at a friend’s tailgate—a gathering I won’t forget. The excitement of game day, combined with the warmth of the fire perfectly captured what I love most about the Colorado tailgating experience.

As the game kicked off and tensions ran high, my friends and I dove into a feast fit for champions: a huge plate of rigatoni with vodka sauce, wings, fresh garlic bread, and a spread of other tailgate treats. These dishes didn’t just satisfy our hunger—they worked some magic on our two Arizona friends, Marcos and Katie, both former University of Arizona engineering students.

“I’m not happy so far with the score, but I have to say the food is too good to complain. I’ll keep my mouth shut,” Marcos admitted, grinning through his utter disappointment at the first half.

By the end of the first quarter, as we demolished our incredible lunch, we were in awe of our Buffs’ performance. The offense was MONEY, making spectacular catches, while the defense relentlessly sacked Arizona’s QB, allowing only a single touchdown in the first half. With a 14-7 lead, the Buffs were already looking like they were in control.

As we indulged in more snacks and treats through the second quarter, the Buffs kept tightening their grip on the game. A Shedeur touchdown just before halftime left us feeling like we were dreaming, as Colorado led 28-7 heading into the break. It was at this point that we gathered around the fire, reveling in our team’s success and indulging in a surprising but delightful game-day dessert: S’mores.

I’ve never had S’mores during a game before, but it was the perfect game-day dessert as we gathered round the fireplace, enjoying the cool fall weather. Even our Arizona friends couldn’t resist indulging, despite the score. and their offense. The S’mores—and the Buffs’ performance—kept our spirits high as we discussed Colorado’s prospects for the rest of the season.

“I’m excited about our chances for bowl game eligibility,” our tailgating host, Will Vanni, said. “This is the best I’ve seen Colorado football, and I can’t be more thankful for catching this season during my last year at the university.”

As the second half rolled on, the Buffs maintained their dominance, closing out the game with an insane final score of 34-7. To celebrate the dominant victory, we all decided to go on a group hike, taking in the beauty of the Boulder area. I was joined by my father, Dominic DeMuro, a proud CU alumnus from the class of 1991.

“I haven’t enjoyed Colorado football this much since the McCartney days,” he said with great pride. “I couldn’t be more excited for that future bowl game! Go Buffs!”

Reflecting on the day as we finished our hike and headed home, I couldn’t help but think about how tailgating creates unforgettable experiences. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the memories we create, and the camaraderie we share. This tailgate, with its unbeatable trifecta of delicious food, an insane buffs win, and amazing memories, will be remembered forever.