Sal Aunese wants to be in Norman, Okla., on Oct. 28 for a football game.
And Jeff Campbell, Aunese's teammate at the University of Colorado, has no doubt Aunese will be there."If you know Sal, you know that he'll be there," Campbell said Monday after Aunese made a brief but emotional appearance at the Buffs' afternoon practice.
"The defense played great last year against Oklahoma, but it was Sal who got us so close (CU lost, 17-14). We want him there (in Norman) this year, and he'll be there," said Campbell.
Aunese, CU's starting quarterback for the past two seasons, was diagnosed last spring as having inoperable stomach and lung cancer.
Monday's meeting with his teammates was his first since CU's spring game last April.
Aunese arrived at the practice about 5 p.m., accompanied by a cousin and nephew.
At 5:13, CU coach Bill McCartney's whistle interrupted practice, and the team gathered around Aunese's car.
Aunese emerged, and according to McCartney, wanted to address the team "but got emotional and just told them to get back to work."
"He just gets that way when he's around us," added Campbell, who said the Buffs already had dedicated the 1989 season to Aunese.
Aunese has resumed both radiation treatments and chemotherapy, according to Dave Burton, director of sports medicine at CU. Burton added that Aunese was being treated daily as an outpatient at University Hospital.
Aunese did not want to be interviewed but issued this statement through a CU spokesman: "It meant a lot to me to come out and see my teammates. They're looking good, and I'll be back."