Back to the Colorado Buffaloes Newsfeed

CU football: Derek McCartney pushes through the pain

BuffZone.com Writer

Colorado starting defensive end Derek McCartney has completed 88 credit hours toward his degree in integrative physiology as he nears the end of only his second year on campus. (Mark Leffingwell / Staff Photographer)

A large, strong hand nervously fiddles with a ring dangling from a chain around Derek McCartney's neck. It's as if he's searching for something only the ring can give him.

While others marvel at how quickly McCartney is progressing toward a college degree, the redshirt freshman and starting defensive end on the University of Colorado football team worries he's falling behind.