SAN ANTONIO—The University of Colorado Buffaloes were selected to play in the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl, and will match-up against BYU on December 28 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
This will be the 31st bowl game in CU history, but just the third in the past 17 years, as the Buffaloes also played in the Alamo Bowl in their last two bowl appearances in 2016, against Oklahoma State and 2020 against Texas. Overall it’s the school’s fourth appearance in the Alamo Bowl, also playing Wisconsin in the 2002 game. This year, the Buffs will be joined on their bowl journey by CU superfan Peggy Coppom, who last month celebrated her 100th birthday.
“We’re excited to accept the invitation to play in the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl,” said Colorado Athletic Director Rick George. “Playing in one of the premier bowls in the country is the perfect cap to what has been a great season and I know our team and fans will be looking forward to playing a terrific BYU program in San Antonio.”
“Last season was about HOPE,” said Colorado head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. “This season was about EXPECTATION, and the expectation this year was to get Ms. Peggy to a bowl game, and we did that. The Alamo bowl is the perfect home for not only our players, but for our AMAZING FAN BASE and most importantly Ms. Peggy. San Antonio WE COMING BABY!”
The Buffs are still part of the Pac-12 legacy selection for bowl games, which is why CU will face off against a fellow Big 12 opponent in the game. The Alamo Bowl holds the first non-playoff selection for both the Big 12 and the former Pac-12 schools this season and next.
Colorado leads the overall series with BYU 8-3-1, and despite being conference partners, the two haven’t met since 1988. This will be the second bowl match-up for the Buffs and Cougars, as BYU edged Colorado 20-17 in the 1988 Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif.
The two were members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the Mountain States Conference from 1937-47.
“I’m thrilled that the University of Colorado Boulder is headed back to the Valero Alamo Bowl,” said CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “The Alamo Bowl has a rich tradition, and I’m proud that the Buffaloes have been and continue to be a part of it. The Buffs’ incredible momentum would not have been possible without the spirit and enthusiasm of the student-athletes, staff, and Coach Prime and the vision of Athletic Director Rick George. I look forward to a great game against BYU on December 28.”
Under Coach Prime, the Buffs have been rejuvenated in just two seasons. After inheriting a 1-11 team, Coach Prime led the Buffs to a 4-8 season last year, instilling hope for the future. As hope turned to expectations in 2024, his team didn’t disappoint putting together one of the most dynamic seasons in school history.
CU won nine games overall and boasts a 7-2 Big 12 record, tying for first place in the league standings. Behind Heisman candidates Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, the Buffs boast a dynamic offense that ranks in the top five for most passing categories and a defense that has been dominant by committee full of playmakers and leading the Big 12 in sacks and tackles for loss while having over 10 interceptions and forced fumbles on the season.
Tickets can be requested now. Fans are encouraged to submit applications for bowl tickets by Monday, December 9 at 4 p.m. Tickets will be allocated based on Buff Club priority point totals as of November 30.
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Story by Curtis Snyder, Associate AD/Athletic Communications for CUBuffs.com. Content courtesy of the University of Colorado at Boulder.