College Football

Colorado State investigating coach's outburst during New Mexico Bowl

CSU athletic director Jack Graham promised to take a 'deep dive' into the first-quarter altercation between defensive line coach Greg Lupfer and Wazzu QB Connor Halliday.

By Patrick Vint Dec 22, 2013, 8:35am EST

Colorado State officials are investigating an altercation between Rams defensive line coach Greg Lupfer and Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday during Saturday's New Mexico Bowl, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald. After throwing a first quarter touchdown pass, the Cougars quarterback approached the Colorado State sideline and confronted Lupfer. The Rams' defensive line coach responded with a string of expletives before another assistant separated the two.

Colorado State athletic director Jack Graham saw the video, and told reporters he would be launching a further investigation of what happened.

"I'm fully aware of what happened; I've seen footage of what happened," Graham said. "We're going to take a deep dive on this. It appears as if it was a very inappropriate event. We will take a deep and thorough dive around it. If it is what it appears to have been, that's not who we are, it's not who Colorado State University is. It's unacceptable behavior, and we'll deal with it appropriately."

After the game, Lupfer issued an apology after the game, through the team's official Twitter account.

Statement from CSU DL Coach Greg Lupfer: "I am truly sorry for what I said. It was wrong and those words do not represent who I am and..."
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) December 22, 2013

Greg Lupfer, cont.: "...what I believe in. I apologize for the embarrassment I caused for Colorado State University, this team & my family."
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) December 22, 2013

Colorado State coach Jim McElwain admitted he did not see the altercation.

The incidicent occurred after the first of six Halliday touchdown passes. Despite falling behind 35-13 in the first half, Colorado State managed to come back and win the New Mexico Bowl 48-45, scoring 17 points in the game's final three minutes to finish the comeback.

Lupfer is in his second season as Colorado State's defensive line coach, having joined McElwain's staff after three years at Cal Poly. He previously spent 11 seasons as a defensive assistant at Portland State.