• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The 2024 Best Employers in Sports Award winners have been announced! See the full list of winners
exclusive
College Athletics

Colorado Alleged Oregon Accessed Its Private Football Data Last Season

  • After a blowout loss last season, CU reached out to the Pac-12 about potential unauthorized access to the team’s service that stores practice video and other data.
  • The conference contacted Colorado’s athletic department and administration, but the school backed off.
Colorado Buffaloes football at Oregon Ducks football in Eugene, September 23, 2023.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders proclaimed there were “no excuses” after the University of Colorado football team’s 42–6 loss to Oregon last September. 

But in the aftermath of the Buffaloes’ first defeat following a 3–0 start in head coach Sanders’s first season, Colorado football staffers identified multiple potential incursions into the team’s online service that stores practice video and other data, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Front Office Sports

Sanders was involved in the initial outreach to the Pac-12, in which Colorado alleged Oregon played a role in the unauthorized access, said the same source as well as a second source with firsthand knowledge. 

The Pac-12—which was in its final school year as a 12-team conference before all but Oregon State and Washington State defected to other leagues—took the allegation seriously, the sources said. Conference officials reached out to Colorado’s athletic department and administration to seek more information and to determine whether the school wanted to pursue an investigation—one that potentially could have led to an FBI probe if any illegal incursions occurred.

Catapult, an industry-leading video replay system used by Colorado, conducted its own review of allegations of improper access last fall, and its investigation found “the security of [Catapult’s] systems was not compromised,” the company told FOS

Ultimately Colorado backed off and didn’t provide the Pac-12 with evidence that Oregon or any other entity or person was involved in the alleged incursion, the two sources said. 

“They chose not to move forward,” the first source said. 

Colorado has not returned an open-records request filed by FOS for emails exchanged between the school and Pac-12 officials last fall. FOS sent a request to the Colorado athletic department. The school did not respond by the time of publication.

“We are unaware of any information that provides any credibility to this claim and see no reason to comment further,” an Oregon athletics department spokesperson said in a statement to FOS.

Colorado’s Video Provider Found No Unauthorized Access

A Catapult spokesperson declined to state what initiated its review, although it provided the following statement: 

“We conducted a thorough investigation into reports of unauthorized access to Colorado’s football video footage last season,” a Catapult spokesperson said in a statement to FOS. “We can confirm that the security of our systems was not compromised during the investigation.”

The statement continued: “Our systems are secured with robust encryption along with multiple layers of protection. We encourage all customers to adhere to strong security protocols including maintaining unique logins and passwords for each authorized user, enabling two-step authentication, and restricting access to designated devices to prevent unauthorized access. Catapult is the technology leader in football, and we work tirelessly to maintain that position by offering high quality secure products and best in class customer service.”

Buffs, Ducks Both in New Conferences

Before the Sept. 23, 2023, game against Colorado, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said, “They’re playing for clicks, we’re playing for wins.” The lopsided loss sparked theories about why Sanders’s squad struggled so mightily against Oregon. 

“I spoke to somebody in the coaching fraternity right after the game,” former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson said on Undisputed days after the game. “They know some people who coach at Oregon. They [were] telling me, ‘Man, I’ve never heard from another assistant coach of how much information was being given to that [Oregon] staff about … game-planning against Colorado so they can beat them.’ That’s the reality of it. I am not making this up.”

Sanders was asked about Johnson’s comments at a Sept. 26 news conference. 

“That happens every week, not just [the] Oregon game,” Sanders said. “That’s just life and I want our coaches to understand that we’re not just playing against a team. We’re playing against all of college football. [There] ain’t too many people lined up [wanting] to see us dominating, to see us win.”

Oregon went on to fall in the final Pac-12 championship game to Washington—the Ducks’ second loss to Washington last season—before a Fiesta Bowl victory over Liberty. The Buffaloes would win only once more in the 2023 season and finished 4–8. 

Colorado, now in the Big 12, will kick off its season against North Dakota State on Thursday. Oregon opens up its 2024 campaign, the Ducks’ first season in the Big Ten, against Idaho on Saturday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bill Belichick to Take College Plunge at North Carolina

UNC made the official announcement late Wednesday.
Nov 3, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Lewis Morgan (9) heads a ball during the first half against the Columbus Crew in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One match at Red Bull Arena.

MLS Team to Play in ‘Sports Illustrated Stadium’ in $100M Naming Deal

It’s a partnership with a sister ticketing platform company, not the magazine.
Oct 20, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie pre game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Bills, Eagles, Dolphins Approve Adding New Minority Owners

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady join the list of Bills owners.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.

Mountain West Adds UC Davis, Wants Northern Illinois

The Aggies’ football team will stay in the FCS.
December 10, 2024

Transfer Portal Chaos: Record Moves, Star QBs, and NIL Deals Reshape CFB

There has been unprecedented portal activity this year.
Notre Dame
December 11, 2024

College Football Playoff on Campuses Sends Ticket, Travel Prices Soaring

Postseason games are coming to South Bend, State College, Austin, and Columbus.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) talks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.
December 10, 2024

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case want more than just revenue-sharing.
December 9, 2024

College Football Playoff Teams Paid $27M for Non-Conference Schedules

Texas led the way with three games that cost $4.9 million.
December 9, 2024

CFP Era Redefines Bowl Season: Tradition Meets Transformation

The 12-team College Football Playoff is changing Bowl Season.
December 8, 2024

ESPN, ABC To Simulcast First Non-NBC Notre Dame Home Game Since 1990

The Fighting Irish will play the first game of the College Football Playoff.