Tag: platteville

Broncos replace grass field ahead of Falcons game

The Denver Broncos used a local sod farm to replace the grass on the field at Empower Field at Mile High.

Prior to a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, the Denver Broncos gave the grass at Empower Field at Mile High a makeover.

The team’s stadium crew got the field replaced within 36 hours after playing the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 27, giving it three weeks to settle in before the Falcons game on Nov. 17.

The grass comes from Platteville, Colorado, which is approximately 45 minutes north of Boulder, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Chris Hathaway, the Broncos director of turf and ground at Empower Field at Mile High, wrote on Twitter/X that the main reason for the replacement is player safety.

The Walton-Penner ownership group famously trucked in a grass field before the 2022 season finale and replaced it again mid-season in 2023.

“[They] just told me,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after practice Wednesday when asked about the grass being replaced. “You would have to ask Greg [Penner]. Meaning, our field has been in good shape. I don’t know what’s taken place since the last one. The one thing I do know is if Greg feels like it’s not to his liking, then he’s not afraid to do it. I literally just found out and [it’s] outstanding.”

The Broncos are one of 15 teams at 30 stadiums across the NFL to use a natural grass playing surface. After hosting Atlanta on Sunday, Denver will have three more home games remaining on their 2024 schedule.

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WATCH: Badger linebacker outlines a day at camp

Behind the scenes at Badger football camp

Luke Fickell and his Badgers just wrapped up their time at Platteville for their camp ahead of the 2023 season, but linebacker T.J Bollers outlined a day in the life of a Wisconsin football athlete at camp.

Bollers is entering his third season with the Badgers, second active, and he could be set for an increased role on defense. He appeared in 11 games last year, but he only recorded two tackles.

With Nick Herbig moving on to the NFL, Bollers along with fellow redshirt sophomore Darryl Peterson appear likely to operate as the top left outside linebacker options in Madison.

Mike Tressel will be in control of the defense in 2023 and the team will look to maintain their reputation as one of the best in the nation.

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