Jay Norvell of CSU still has no sympathy for Coach Prime of CU

The Rocky Mountain Showdown got a little more exciting last season when CSU head coach Jay Norvell made some controversial comments before the game.

Norvell said things on his radio show that CU head coach Deion Sanders didn’t like and that he ultimately used as fuel before the game.

“I sat down with ESPN today and I don’t care if they hear it in Boulder,” Norvell said. “I told them I took off my hat and glasses. I said when I talk to adults, I take off my hat and glasses. That’s what my mother taught me.”

This was clearly a dig at Coach Prime, who usually wears a hat and sunglasses even when giving interviews. Sanders responded by handing out sunglasses to annoy Norvell. He also thought it was a dig at the way his mother raised him.

The showdown lived up to the hype, an epic 2OT thriller that the Buffs eventually won 43-35. During the postgame handshake, Norvell tried to explain to Sanders that the statement wasn’t about his mother. Coach Prime said he didn’t believe him.

Fast forward to this year: The game is in Fort Collins in mid-September. At the Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas, Norvell was asked about Sanders and gave a testy response.

“I don’t have any feelings for Deion Sanders, I really don’t,” Norvell said when asked if his relationship with Coach Prime had changed. “I don’t think about Deion Sanders unless you ask me a question about him. No, nothing has changed.”

Instead of starting over in 2024, Jay Norvell isn’t giving in. You can’t blame him, and ultimately it’s good for the rivalry. There should be a little hate between the two schools.

“We can have them in our stadium this year. It should be a great atmosphere. People are excited about the game, we are excited about the game. It should be an incredible night,” Norvell added.

This year’s version of the Rocky Mountain Showdown is scheduled for September 14 at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.