The 2025 runners-up recover from a tough Presidents' Day Invite and become the first to beat Carleton CUT this year, avenging last year's championship loss
March 1, 2026 by Theresa Diffendal in News
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#4 Colorado Mamabird and #1 Carleton CUT met for the first time this season in a rematch of last year’s college championship final, with Colorado’s quick movement and dynamic throws getting revenge for last year’s loss, 15-12.
A quick Ryan Shigley run-through block on the first point allowed Mamabird to escape with a hold, and an even quicker reset turnover from Carleton on the ensuing point brought the game’s first break. Despite frequently crossing over O-line players like Declan Miller to take the Tobias Brooks matchup, Carleton could not capitalize on any of their three break chances in the end of the first half, as each ended with an uncaught huck attempt. Colorado took half 8-6, with stars Brooks and Zeke Thoreson patiently connecting for the score.
Halftime did not provide the reset CUT needed, with deep game miscues gifting Mamabird two break chances out of the gate, the second of which they capitalized on. Colorado’s spacing and well-timed continuations combined with raw footspeed kept mistakes to a minimum, allowing CUT break opportunities on just three points down the stretch. Carleton completed one to make it 13-11 and seemed like they might make a game of it, Axel Olson getting an end zone block on the next point, but another huck turnover brought Colorado to game point.
At 14-12, Carleton flashed signs of life as Thomas Shope came up with a deep ball denial. Yet again though, an execution mistake allowed Brooks to quickly recover the disc for Colorado, swiping a late throw. Mamabird sealed the game with patented punishing handler play from Nanda Min-Fink and Brooks, resetting and out-juking their matchups until Carleton left Will Barnouw alone at the back of the end zone.
Both posted undefeated runs through the tournament, though CUT were a hair away from not making the final. Despite comfortably leading #2 Oregon Ego at the semifinal half, Ego–without stars Mica Glass and Raekwon Adkins, nonetheless–stormed back to force universe. CUT’s emblematic clean, quick tempo offense was more than enough for one last clean hold, but the contest was decidedly more taxing than Colorado’s comfortable 15-9 semifinal win over the #6 Santa Cruz Slugs.
The tournament win reasserts Colorado as one of the division’s best after an (admittedly wet and windy) uninspiring loss to Oregon in the Presidents’ Day Invite final. Expect to see them climb the Power Rankings this week, and likely claim the top spot.
Stay tuned to Ultiworld for a detailed tournament recap, and check out our event page below to rewatch all the weekend’s action.
