Buffs’ Trip to Evanston Will Be at Northwestern’s Temporary Home - Not the New Ryan Field
Colorado fans hoping to see the Buffaloes play inside Northwestern’s shiny new stadium this fall will have to wait a little longer. Northwestern announced Tuesday that its first two home games of the 2026 season - including the September 19 matchup against Colorado - will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, not the newly renovated Ryan Field.
That means the Buffs’ visit to Evanston will take place in a more intimate setting along the shores of Lake Michigan, rather than under the lights of a brand-new venue. The Wildcats have used Martin Stadium as their temporary home for the past two seasons while Ryan Field underwent a major facelift. It’s been the longtime home for Northwestern’s soccer and lacrosse programs, and while it’s served its purpose during the renovation, it’s a far cry from the scale and amenities of the new stadium.
Capacity is the most immediate difference. Martin Stadium seats just over 12,000 fans - a sharp contrast to the 35,000-seat capacity planned for the new Ryan Field.
That means fewer fans in the stands, and potentially a limited ticket allotment for Colorado supporters making the trip. According to a BuffZone source, CU is still working with Northwestern to determine how many tickets will be available for Buffs fans.
As for Ryan Field’s grand reopening, that’s set for October 2 when Northwestern hosts Penn State - a game that will mark exactly 100 years since the original stadium first hosted a football game back in 1926. That centennial celebration adds a layer of history to the Wildcats’ homecoming, but it comes just a couple of weeks too late for Colorado’s visit.
The Buffs will kick off their 2026 campaign on September 5 against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. They’ll return home to Folsom Field on September 12 to host Weber State before heading to Evanston the following week to wrap up their nonconference slate.
Domata Peko Departs CU for NFL Opportunity with Steelers
Colorado’s defensive line room will look a little different this spring.
Domata Peko, who served as the Buffs’ defensive line coach for just one season, is heading back to the NFL - this time as a coach. According to reports, Peko is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers to coach their defensive line.
Peko’s departure marks a quick but impactful stint in Boulder. A 15-year NFL veteran known for his toughness in the trenches - including two seasons with the Denver Broncos - Peko brought a wealth of experience to Deion Sanders’ staff. He was hired by Coach Prime ahead of the 2025 season, making the leap from a defensive assistant role with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 to a position coach at the college level.
In a farewell message shared by Well Off Media, Peko addressed the team and expressed gratitude to the CU coaching staff and players.
“Shoutout to the CU Buffs, Coach Prime, coach Rob Livingston, coach (George) Helow, all the great coaches here, man,” Peko said. “Appreciate everything y’all.
Big Uso’s outta here, man. Go Buffs.
Much love.”
Peko’s connection to the program goes beyond coaching. His sons, Domata Jr. and Joseph, both joined the Buffs last month. Domata Jr. is a junior defensive end who transferred from Ventura Junior College, while Joseph is a true freshman defensive lineman.
Now, as Peko makes the jump back to the NFL, Colorado will look to fill a key position on its defensive staff - one that played a critical role in developing a young and evolving front line last season.