October 23, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Dylan Manuel has two career interceptions. Both came against teams that were having special seasons.
The first was last season at Sacramento State against James Madison. The second came last Saturday at Folsom Field, when the Colorado defensive tackle dropped off the line, was in the right spot after teammate Gideon ESPN Lampron tipped the pass and picked him off at the CU 6 with 2:13 left in the first half, ending a 72-yard Utah drive and keeping a 13-0 game from getting away.
Manuel does not think that is a coincidence.
"I know last year the game was pretty big as well, against JMU as a College Football Playoff team," Manuel said. "So I feel like this team we just played is probably one of those teams, too. So I just feel like I show up in big games, and that's just what I need to continue to do."
The third-year tackle has started all six games alongside Santana Hopper on the interior of a Colorado defense that leads the Big 12 in tackles for loss [verify] and has yet to allow a rushing touchdown to four of its six opponents [verify]. Manuel's line against Utah — five tackles, a tackle for loss, a half-sack and the interception — was his most complete game as a Buff [verify].
It came two weeks after one he considers his worst.
The Hopper Effect
Against Texas Tech on Oct. 3, Hopper put up 10 tackles, six of them for loss. Manuel had two tackles and, by his own accounting, not much else.
"That game against Texas Tech, it felt like I didn't do anything," Manuel said. "But I really did. I just didn't make the plays. So it's like, man, now I got to go out here and make some plays to help the team, put them in the best position. So I just went out there with a little bit more effort than usual, and just going to keep up the pace."
The two have talked publicly about pushing each other since fall camp. Manuel said watching Hopper's day only turned the dial.
Defensive coordinator Chris Marve sees the pair the same way, and he does not spend much time on their measurables.
"They both punch above their weight class," Marve said. "You look at them — they're not the biggest. They're not the smallest, either. But when you cut on the tape, they play with their hair on fire, and man, that's what we need. I'd take 20 of them."
Asked whether either has surprised him, Marve declined the premise.
"We knew what they were capable of, and who they are as young people, and how they've approached every day in and day out," he said. "I am excited about if they can continue to accept the challenge and really exceed everybody else's expectations, because I know what they can do."
Built For The Moment
Colorado's defense was on the field for 80 snaps against Utah, and still produced the fourth-quarter stop that gave the offense a chance to tie. Manuel credited the strength staff and a practice habit.
"They do a great job throughout the summer, and then still on now," Manuel said of the strength coaches. "And then also in practice, we practice sudden-change moments. So I feel like when we get to the game, we're already built for the moment. So we just go out there and execute the moment."
The other constant, he said, is a single word.
"Coach Marve is probably one of the best leaders I've ever had around," Manuel said. "He just keeps us level-headed and steady. It's one thing we always say, which is 'good.' So no matter the circumstance — good. We always gonna go out there and show who we are."
Why Not Us
Saturday's assignment at Oklahoma State is Drew Mestemaker, the former FBS passing leader who has been sacked only five times this season but has lost a fumble on three of them. Manuel's plan is not complicated.
"Just really pressure the quarterback, make it uncomfortable," he said. "Because when he has pressure in his face, he gets out of character. So just putting pressure on him and making him uncomfortable, and not letting him just sit back there and dial us up."
Colorado is 2-4, and Manuel is aware of what that looks like from the outside. He also said the Utah game, loss or not, changed something inside.
"It raised our morale a little bit, but we've always had belief in the locker room," Manuel said. "It's not going to change, because we go out there, we have an opportunity to prove everyone else wrong. Like, why not us? So we just go out there with the same mindset. Just go out there and play ball."
The first was last season at Sacramento State against James Madison. The second came last Saturday at Folsom Field, when the Colorado defensive tackle dropped off the line, was in the right spot after teammate Gideon ESPN Lampron tipped the pass and picked him off at the CU 6 with 2:13 left in the first half, ending a 72-yard Utah drive and keeping a 13-0 game from getting away.
Manuel does not think that is a coincidence.
"I know last year the game was pretty big as well, against JMU as a College Football Playoff team," Manuel said. "So I feel like this team we just played is probably one of those teams, too. So I just feel like I show up in big games, and that's just what I need to continue to do."
The third-year tackle has started all six games alongside Santana Hopper on the interior of a Colorado defense that leads the Big 12 in tackles for loss [verify] and has yet to allow a rushing touchdown to four of its six opponents [verify]. Manuel's line against Utah — five tackles, a tackle for loss, a half-sack and the interception — was his most complete game as a Buff [verify].
It came two weeks after one he considers his worst.
The Hopper Effect
Against Texas Tech on Oct. 3, Hopper put up 10 tackles, six of them for loss. Manuel had two tackles and, by his own accounting, not much else.
"That game against Texas Tech, it felt like I didn't do anything," Manuel said. "But I really did. I just didn't make the plays. So it's like, man, now I got to go out here and make some plays to help the team, put them in the best position. So I just went out there with a little bit more effort than usual, and just going to keep up the pace."
The two have talked publicly about pushing each other since fall camp. Manuel said watching Hopper's day only turned the dial.
Defensive coordinator Chris Marve sees the pair the same way, and he does not spend much time on their measurables.
"They both punch above their weight class," Marve said. "You look at them — they're not the biggest. They're not the smallest, either. But when you cut on the tape, they play with their hair on fire, and man, that's what we need. I'd take 20 of them."
Asked whether either has surprised him, Marve declined the premise.
"We knew what they were capable of, and who they are as young people, and how they've approached every day in and day out," he said. "I am excited about if they can continue to accept the challenge and really exceed everybody else's expectations, because I know what they can do."
Built For The Moment
Colorado's defense was on the field for 80 snaps against Utah, and still produced the fourth-quarter stop that gave the offense a chance to tie. Manuel credited the strength staff and a practice habit.
"They do a great job throughout the summer, and then still on now," Manuel said of the strength coaches. "And then also in practice, we practice sudden-change moments. So I feel like when we get to the game, we're already built for the moment. So we just go out there and execute the moment."
The other constant, he said, is a single word.
"Coach Marve is probably one of the best leaders I've ever had around," Manuel said. "He just keeps us level-headed and steady. It's one thing we always say, which is 'good.' So no matter the circumstance — good. We always gonna go out there and show who we are."
Why Not Us
Saturday's assignment at Oklahoma State is Drew Mestemaker, the former FBS passing leader who has been sacked only five times this season but has lost a fumble on three of them. Manuel's plan is not complicated.
"Just really pressure the quarterback, make it uncomfortable," he said. "Because when he has pressure in his face, he gets out of character. So just putting pressure on him and making him uncomfortable, and not letting him just sit back there and dial us up."
Colorado is 2-4, and Manuel is aware of what that looks like from the outside. He also said the Utah game, loss or not, changed something inside.
"It raised our morale a little bit, but we've always had belief in the locker room," Manuel said. "It's not going to change, because we go out there, we have an opportunity to prove everyone else wrong. Like, why not us? So we just go out there with the same mindset. Just go out there and play ball."
Players Mentioned
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25
Monday, October 19
