Saturday Night Buff Notes

I admit it, I'm in the Dan Hawkins' cult.

Drinking the Kool-Aid, doing what I'm told.

How else to explain me believing every word that leaves his mouth?

After an 0-5 start.

What happened to me? Really? I was a born cynic, a realist, I like to say, a curmudgeon my ex-wife once told me. I didn't think I was old enough to be slapped with that label but having watched my commentary of the nightly news was probably too much for her. Poor girl, she deserved better.

Let's take a look at the latest cuts from Hawkins, who, to me, should have a role in some movie as the never-accept-defeat coach working with the biggest underdog in sports, terrible for them being a compliment, finally turning it around to bask in the glory.

Hey, could happen.

After Saturday's loss to Missouri, here was some Best of Hawkins for you, courtesy of the Associated Press.

"Guys are starting to feel we can throw the football, we can make some plays" Hawkins said. "It's just a case of keeping it coming."

TheTruth...Can't argue much on that as Bernard Jackson was winging better than ever, even introducing the wide receiver to the offense. In week five. B-Jack might be Hawkins' match in the eternal optimist, confidence-in-self association.

More Hawkins...

"I've been down before. We're good. We're solid. We're tight."

TheTruth...Man, I love his confidence. To me, it sounds unbelievably sincere. The man can sure sell it, can't he? Maybe, just to me, but hey, I bought the vacuum, siding, encyclopedias, Girl Scout cookies, newspaper and anything else they market door-to-door. One problem that has to be fixed, though. The Buffs go 3 for 12 on third-down conversions and 0 for 5 on fourth down. Sorry, but those are NHL power play numbers, not the forumula for football success.

"At some point, you've got to play to win and not play to lose," Hawkins said. "You have to take some selective opportunities and say, 'hey, I believe in you.'"

TheTruth...His players have to love him for this approach. He shows them he just doesn't talk the talk. Cap'n Dan walks the walk, brother. And there is no greater gift to a leader than to convey his belief in those below him.

Defense!

Guess Ron Collins' defense told the offense, hey, we're in the show-me state, how 'bout you guys doin' something for a change.

O.K., maybe that didn't happen. Trying to dramatize a little for affect, you know?

Whatever happened, the defenders didn't get it done today. They didn't lose the game but they didn't win it either.

That doesn't mean, however, that players didn't continue to get better, get experience, prepping them for a better future as Abe Wright continues his impressive season, enhancing his NFL prospects with two tackles for loss, Brandon Nicolas and George Hypolite working on establishing their names in the middle with 14 combined take downs, and defensive backs Cha'pelle Brown and Ryan Walters showing up on the stat sheet with a total of 16 tackles.

Congratulations

Kicker Mason Crosby, the new all-time leading scorer for the University of Colorado.

On one hand, he's but a kicker and didn't take hits to book those points.

On the other hand, what a kicker he's been.

And will be, representing the school in the NFL.


TheTruth

Tigers pack another loss on Buffs backs

In a game where the Colorado offense takes steps forward, the defense falls asleep, and that equals the Buffaloes fifth-consecutive loss to open the season, as Missouri records a 28-13 win at Columbia.

Sophomore quarterback Chase Daniel is a future legend for the Tigers. Mark it down. Brad Smith was a unique talent but it says here Daniel will not only lead his school to greater heights but he will accomplish more, individually. He's off to a rare start, leading his team to a 5-0 beginning, the first such record since 1981.

He's not a finished product yet, but even so, he's good enough to win when he makes mistakes. He throws for 251 yards and four touchdowns against what had been a stingy CU defense. He does this while getting bagged twice on sacks and throwing two interceptions.

This Buffs' loss stings a little more emotionally as they really thought they were getting close to throwing the monkey of losing games off its' back. Didn't happen. Not as close as expected on the scoreboard.

Surprising, it was the defense who couldn't throw Daniel enough off his game, and couldn't cover the tight end, a long-time CU staple of its' own attack. The Tigers' duo of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman combine for 10 grabs and three scores. Thought for a moment, I was seeing Klopfenstein and Snypniewski in the wrong uniform.

That said, while it is difficult to take positive things out of a loss, this game was different because this season is different. Things happened that haven't been happening. That's good, by the way.

Quarterback Bernard Jackson showed his best production against a touted Missouri defense, throwing for 191 yards and running for 92 and a score. B-Jack is developing, slowly, into an all-around talent. I even let my imagination go crazy, thinking of what he could be in a year, with more experience and more talent, hopefully, around him. Whew!

Jackson is also creating some magic with some young tight end named Riar Geer, who caught three more passes, this week for 41 yards. The dude is quickly becoming one special Big Man On Campus. Sometimes, it's good to be the king. Livin' the high life, I'm sure.

Wide receiver Dusty Sprague reminded us he's still on the team with two catches for 85 yards. I almost forgot he was a football player. I just assumed he was some hero in a Zane Grey western novel.

Hugh Charles is picking up steam in the last few weeks and did it again with 87 yards on the ground. Funny, how Colorado loved him, loved him not, loved him, well, you get the picture. The guy didn't forget how to make plays. Nice to know CU remembered he's one of the most explosive guys on the offense.

All told, despite it's still pitiful scoring output, Mark Helfrich's men are coming around. Like the Colorado Rockies, this team is nurturing and developing talent, taking the hits of those growing pains and pouring the foundation for a better year in 2007.

Still hot post-game thoughts

In what was a difficult loss I feel more optimistic than I have yet this season. Seeing the offense make strides with Jackson, Geer, Charles, & Sprague provides hope for the rest of the season. The offense still could use more play makers but it isn't as though the unit is the same clueless of headless chickens it was to begin the season.

Of course, Dan Hawkins was honest about the learning curve for Jackson and Jay Leeuwenburg drove home the fact about the need for repetitions in the new offense being necessary for improvement. Guess those two guys know what they're talking about. Hmm.

Center Mark Fenton has done some fine things in a CU uniform. Some fine things were done today without him. Encouraging.

The defense has given the Buffs a chance to win games. Today, it didn't. Not a good day for Ron Collins' group. Until the offense can figure out how to score another touchdown a game, until the special teams can create some points, the defense has to accept the responsibility of thinking on-field muggings for scores.

You would think that with all the strong tight ends the Buffs have had over the years they would know how to cover one in a game.

The Buffs are looking good for the number one pick in next year's draft.

Oh, wait.

Ringo says defense will win the game Saturday

We caught up with Daily Camera reporter Kyle Ringo on his way to Columbia to cover Colorado playing Missouri in the Big-12 opener. He says this will be another close game, with the winner likely to win by being offensive on the defense.

Black and Gold Breakdown: Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich wants your help Saturday. You're calling plays. Whats your game plan out of the gate and as the game unfolds?

Ringo: You're putting me on the spot. I don't pretend to know all the answers. I think (CU) will be dedicated to running the football. I also think they will have some crafty play designs for Bernard (Jackson) and Hugh Charles to get them into open space.

In the passing game, I think they will design fairly simple things. I don't think they are going to have a lot of time to throw the ball.

BGB: How are you, or can you, get the wide receivers involved and making plays?

Ringo: One thing CU has been good at so far is bootlegging and waggling with Bernard to get him out into open space where he can have a few seconds to see downfield. It's a good idea to open the field and let him see things more clearly.

I think right now it's a combination of the wide receivers are either not open, Bernard is not seeing them or they're dropping balls. We might see some wide receiver screens or short stuff, like Colorado State ran against them.

I should point out that that Helfrich said after the Georgia game that he thought Bernard made a step forward. After his first read, he had been pulling the ball down and running. Last week he would get to his second read before pulling down the ball and becoming an athlete.

BGB: Interesting article you did on Mizzou's Chase Daniel this week. What do you think of getting Cody Hawkins some spot action this year, either in the case of Jackson being ineffective or God forbid, getting hurt? I realize that (former Tiger quarterback) Brad Smith was a senior last year and Jackson is only a junior with two years to start, but is this a good idea or something that could happen? What do you think about it?

Ringo: If Jackson gets hurt or is ineffective, they will go back to James Cox. They are not going to burn Cody's redshirt unless it's an emergency situation.

We asked (Dan Hawkins) about (running back) Thomas Perez, who has been making plays in practice, if he might play him but coach Hawkins' philosophy is he is not going to burn a redshirt year for one or two wins this year. If he's patient, he feels it will pay off with many more wins next season. I promise you Cody Hawkins is not going to play this year.

BGB: Matthew Stafford was an all american as a prep and everyone wanted him but he was a true freshman starting for Georgia. Joe Cox had not played much, although he did in the Buffs. How is CU, and can CU, make (sophomore) Chase Daniel ineffective or is he, with Tony Temple and his receiving corps going to put it on the Buffs?

Ringo: In defense of Matthew Stafford, last week a lot of balls were dropped. Then Joe Cox comes in and they catch everything. Receivers can make one guy look horrible and the another one like Joe Montana.

I think what you want to do if you're Colorado is stop the run and make Chase Daniel make all the plays and beat you. CU will probably have some blitzes that they haven't shown that they will unleash.

Missouri is definitely going to be able to move the ball but I think the Buffs can make enough plays defensively to win the game.

BGB: Speaking of the defense, what about defensive lineman George Hypolite? Was that who can be, the monster he was last week at Georgia?

Ringo: He can absolutely be a monster. People forget he played fullback in high school. He's an offensive-minded player. He's probably going to be a three-year starter. He can be a very-good player by his senior season.

BGB: Hypolite, Jordan Dizon, Abe Wright, Thaddaeus Washington, just the whole CU defense, are they better than most of us thought they would and will be or will they start to give up more points as the season progresses?

Ringo: I think Wright and (Walter) Boye-Doe and the guys on the end are as good as we thought they were going to be. The surprise has been on the interior with Hypolite, (Brandon) Nicolas and Jason Brace. I know the defensive tackles have played well but there has to be comfort for them having Thaddaeus Washington and Jordan Dizon behind them.

BGB: O.K., you're on the spot Kyle; who makes plays this weekend, on both teams?

Ringo: Bernard Jackson and Hugh Charles for the Buffs and maybe an under-the-radar guy like Cody Crawford. For Mizzou, Chase Daniel, Tony Temple and Will Franklin.

I think someone on one of these defenses makes a play to win the game.

And if you don't include a kicker like Mason Crosby in this, you're out of your mind.

BGB: Will it be that close, Kyle, where a field goal will matter?

Ringo: I think it will be. I'm picking a one-point game but with CU having to wait until next week to get that first win.

Why CU will beat Mizzou for win number one

Interesting how Colorado is 0-4 and yet the optimism and excitement for the season and the program remains Flatirons' high.

That's because the Buffs' train is comin', maybe soon, to the land of better things.

Not going to be a fool and predict when that might be, as that's a losing man's game, but will say this program will fly again with Captain Dan leading his men.

So what about this week, though? What's going to happen? Here are some possible scenarios to eye.

Ready to roll?

Why the Buffs will beat Missouri

Hugh Charles streaks through the Tigers' secondary like a rabbit through a forest fire, Bernard Jackson busts out for some long rips, looking like running backs coach Darian Hagan, for a day, a young Mr. Magic, and making just enough plays to tight end Riar Geer and anyone who wants to say they play wide receiver at Colorado.

The defense says "screw this" and scores three touchdowns on a combination of fumble recoveries and interceptions.

CU went to Athens and lost to Georgia in the final minute. How tough can the Tigers be?

CU gets five downs in a pinch.

It's Missouri.

Why they won't

The Tigers establish just enough of a running game with running back Tony Temple and the scrambles of quarterback Chase Daniel, allowing for more time to throw in the passing game, which means Daniel will control the clock, slowly moving Mizzou down the field and on to the scoreboard enough to beat the end-zone phobic Buffs.

CU struggles to generate a consistent running game, sputtering like a teenager's first car, leading to a heated pass rush on Buffs' QB Bernard Jackson, errant throws and not enough sustained drives.

Jackson fails to make the Tigers pay for selfishly trying to crash the backfield, like some frat party, with the result being CU's offense may not be out on the field long enough to break a sweat or say to their classmates they even played in the game

Mason Crosby is trying 60-yard field goals.

Missouri gets five downs.


TheTruth

NOTE....Kyle Ringo of the Daily Camera took some swings at how the game would unfold en route to Columbia. That exchange will be printed Friday.

More Buff Notes...Jackson graded by Hawkins

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is finally seeing it, even if the fans may not, and the scoreboard doesn't show it.

And that's good news.

Buffs' quarterback Bernard Jackson, always a physical talent and also always buried on the depth chart at any position he was at under former coach Gary Barnett, is evolving into a servicable quarterback.

Hey, it's a start. With more to come the goal.

In an article in the Colorado Daily,written by sports editor John Mossman, Hawkins breaks down the development of his quarterback.

“Boy, just a lot of things. Just from clock management. He made some plays where he had to adjust a little bit both with his body and his mind. He has gone from ‘I can barely call a play' to actually understanding and comprehending and having kind of a second-level mode of operation.

“And he's starting, I think, as a quarterback to kind of talk to the team a little bit and be a little bit of a leader that way.”

As many who cover the team are saying, however, the maturation of Jackson will be a process and patience still needs to be the operative word, as in not this season for the finished product.

Mossman's story details that sentiment.

“I don't know that we'll probably see him in full bloom until next year,” Hawkins said. “I think every time we've gone out with him, he's made tremendous strides.”

TheTruth...Jackson's talent is undeniable, and he was highly recruited but playing behind Joel Klatt was not going to afford him much opportunity, even in practice. His time is now, no matter his readiness to start. Jackson is learning by playing, and while that is not an ideal way to teach and win, it is all the Buffs have right now. Jackson is the best player and needs to develop through game repetitions. If he is willing to work in film study, really work, and has the mind to make the necessary adjustments, his talent could lead him to some special moments in his CU career. He will have solid coaching and with better talent the goal of recruiting, B-Jack could create some lasting positive memories.

Buff Notes...Hawkins, Buffs getting laughed at

Turn your ear to the east and listen.

Can you hear it?

You know, the smack ringing from Missouri.

In an article written by Joe Walljasper of the Columbia Daily Tribune, he was quoted as saying about CU coach Dan Hawkins and the Buffaloes that words don't carry much weight, results do.

"Hawkins and Colorado might well turn out to be a good match. At the moment, though, the Buffaloes rank 113th nationally in total offense. Missouri ranks first in total defense. Hawkins needs Kordell Stewart and Rashaan Salaam more than Sun Tzu and Confucius.

"The Big 12 opener should be a continuation of the last 11 months - more fun for the Tigers, more misery for the Buffs."

TheTruth...Hawkins, in time, will prove himself much more than a pithy quote. Look at Missouri, they get off to a good start for once and they think they are Oklahoma, Texas or USC. But the idea of Stewart and Salaam suiting up, ah, give me a moment. Mmm. Wow, a writer who breaks out the Sun Tzu (Art of War) and Confucius references...in the same story and sentence. I like his style. Who says readers of the sports page aren't well rounded?

Mizzou picked to roll over winless CU

At collegefootballnews.com, the Tigers are an easy pick against CU, as Missouri is predicted to go home a 26-10 winner in what the publication writes will be a "coming out party."

TheTruth...A coming out party? Against an 0-4 team? How desperate are the Tigers? Missouri is off to a fine start and they should beat Colorado. It shouldn't be seen as a heroic effort. A loss, however, would be a coming out party, if we are going to use that term, for the Buffs.

Jackson getting better

Hawkins is seeing improvement in quarterback Bernard Jackson.

Quoted in USA Today, he said Jackson is slowly shaking off the cob webs of the his time in Boulder.

"He is kind of starting to get to that next level where you're not just out there functioning. He really made some nice plays and did some things with some awareness that was nice to see."

TheTruth...Everyone's saying it and everyone should believe it. Jackson is getting better. The shocking thing remains, at least it says here, is that a player recruited as quarterback was deemed not good enough to play the position, and thus, was given few repetitions. If Jackson evolves into a player, you can bet such a great story will also result in finger pointing at the former coaching staff.

CU ranked again

The Buffaloes are ranked again.

In ESPN's Bottom 10.

Can you sell that to recruits for playing time?

The program's eight-game losing streak was likely the key to the door of that poll as the Buffs check in at no. 10.

TheTruth...CU is not one of the worst 10 teams in the country. This season is going to be a bear but better things are coming. This season will improve too. Someone, somewhere down the line is going to get stampeded. Remember the Dallas Cowboys during quarterback Troy Aikman's first season? Before all that glory came a bunch of butt kickings. How about the early days in Boulder for Bill McCartney. Where North Carolina was in the beginning under former coach Mack Brown. Let opponents laugh it up now. It won't always be like this, that's a bet to take to the bank.

Tigers have what Buffs lack

Missouri currently has what Colorado wants, which is play makers on offense.

Quarterback Chase Daniel, running back Tony Temple and wide receiver Will Franklin are all producing for the Tigers.

Daniel has nine touchdown passes and only two interceptions, Temple is averaging over 6 yards a carry and 100 yards a game rushing while Franklin has 343 yards in receptions and four touchdowns.

TheTruth...It's what the Buffs coaching staff has to develop and recruit to get CU back as a power. It won't happen in a year, maybe not two, but three years needs to be the deadline.

The Buffs time needs to be soon

Neill Woelk of the Daily Camera addressed an issue Wednesday that bears watching.

How long will and should CU get compliments for effort over success?

To his, credit, coach Dan Hawkins isn't comfortable with the well-intentioned words of others on the Buffaloes he leads into games. He's quoted as saying in Woelk's column "I'm thinking, 'Don't ever thank me for losing a football game.' If you're a competitor, that's how you feel. You have to be grateful for the support, but inside, you have to be saying, 'Uh-oh, that's not the deal.'"

Face it, right now fans are looking for any small victory to grab on to, even if it isn't a win. Playing it close seems to count and the team's ability to keep proper perspective and not become a unit of alarmists has fed into that response.

However, CU is not content, nor should it be with the rapidly accumulating losses piling up like cord wood. The players and coaches are simply accepting the transition the program is in and the reality that getting the school into the win column is a process.

Woelk writes that the Buffs need to finally put the complete effort on the field, one that will result in victory before they again hear "good job."

He's right. The standards have to be raised in fan's minds. This is fifth game of the season. It is time for CU to begin making the plays it hasn't been and stop the plays it has been allowing, and emerge with a victory. Hawkins will get a pass this season on the overall won-loss record but it would be a difficult sell to lose eight or nine games. Few predicted a Bowl Championship Series game as a reward in 2006 but even fewer voiced the potential for a miserable season.

Time for the Buffs to start making some victory speeches and accept losing a little more grudgingly.

Ridgell compares Geer, Fenton playing, and Missouri

Four weeks in the books on the 2006 Colorado season and there are still questions about the Buffaloes' identity. The Black and Gold Breakdown speaks to Patrick Ridgell, the beat reporter for Longmont's Daily Times-Call to get the pulse of where CU stands.

Here are his words.

Black & Gold: How did you see CU as a team before the Georgia game and how do you view them now?

Ridgell: Before the Georgia game I thought it was a chance for them to get blown out. Now I see they have the talent to compete. It's just a matter of the offense coming around and being able to score.

B & G: Offensively, do you see the Buffaloes being able to do that, being capable of averaging 20-plus points a game soon, or at any point this season?

Ridgell: Eventually, they'll have a nice power running game. Dan Hawkins likes to have a power running game and when Bernard Jackson has some games under his belt, he will be pretty dangerous. Unfortunately, that probably won't be until next year.

B & G: Speaking of Jackson, what kind of ceiling do you see him having or is it even possible to know right now?

Ridgell: Bernard has a thick layer of rust because he sat around for three years and didn't play much quarterback. Eventually, he will be a very dangerous quarterback. It's almost like he's thinking so much right now. He needs to be playing more on instinct. Right now, I think he's not always sure what he's supposed to be doing.

B & G: Where are the wide receivers in this offense? It seems they might as well be water boys right now.

Ridgell: The recruiting restrictions have hit the wide receiver position harder than anywhere else on the team. They don't have the playmakers right now so the defense will keep putting eight or nine (players) in the box and dare the offense to throw. They need someone with speed who can stretch the field and make plays.

B & G: One guy who is making plays in the passing game is Riar Geer; is he the next standout tight end for CU and what has made him effective so far?

Ridgell: Yes, I potentially think he is the next standout. Against Georgia he showed great hands and that he can get the ball upfield. Christian Fauria had great hands. I'm not saying he's Fauria but he's a good player.

B & G: Touching on a recent article of yours, Patrick, how much of a dropoff should we expect with (center) Mark Fenton out and how effective will he be when he returns (from a leg injury)?

Ridgell: Two weeks is very optimistic (Fenton's forecast for returning). If it were food, I'd say his eyes are bigger than his stomach. It sounds like he will be o.k. (Backup) Bryce McMartin's a bright kid. He's smaller than Mark and has much less experience but he's not that bad a player. He's a good ball player, a smart, heady kid. Maybe you can't do as much in the power running game but who knows right now.

B & G: James Cox. I see a potential Hollywood story coming down the line. He finally seems ready to be the starting quarterback then he apparently loses his job to Brian White, battles that emotion, but holds on as a starter, then Jackson replaces both of them, now his father passes away due to illness, someone he was very close to, and yet I have this feeling we haven't heard the last of James Cox. How do you foretell his future this season?

Ridgell: College football is a depth game. Every position needs two good players. I've felt Bernard needs to develop more pocket presence. In the Arizona State game he took quite a hit and I thought he's going to get hurt back there. I don't think we've heard the last from Cox.

B & G: Missouri is off to a good start, has a talented quarterback in Chase Daniel, a good running back in Tony Temple and talented pass rusher on a good defense in Brian Smith. How does CU take the Tigers out what they like to do?

Ridgell: I think the game will be a tougher matchup defensively than Georgia. When you go up against a freshman quarterback(the Bulldogs Matthew Stafford) it takes you out of a lot you like to do. I think this game will be one of the toughest defensive challenges this season. The big issue I see is can CU sustain the way they played against Georgia. They can't be satisified with how they played last week; they have to keep shooting for more.

B & G: I've been asking a lot of people their impressions of Dan Hawkins. So, to you, is he a master salesman, more style than substance, program builder, or something entirely different?

Ridgell: He's very engaging when he wants to be. You can't argue with his success. It is what it is. As far as CU, it's way too early to know. I thought when Mike Bohn hired him, he was a safe hire. He's been successful everywhere he's been. He does have a fire, a passion for the game. Whether Dan sinks or swims is going to depend on whether he can recruit.


Ridgell graduated from Chatfield high school and then CU before moving on to his journalism career. He's made stops at the Glen Falls (NY) Post Star, the New York Post, the Provo (Utah) Daily Herald, where he covered Brigham Young football and basketball, before making his way back to Colorado, where he hopes to root down. You may also have read his freelance work on baseball in Rockies Magazine.

Ridgell & Ringo look at Tigers

The Tigers are currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, setting up at the final spot in that poll. It is off to just the program's sxith 4-0 start in the last 81 years. It is also in the top 10 in total defense and offense, nationally. But do we know who Missouri is yet?

While the Buffs have played ASU of the Pac-10 and then ninth-ranked Georgia, the Tigers have bagged lesser knowns, the most prominently recognized being Mississippi.

Truth? Yes, Mizzou has a sparkling resume right now and talented players sprinkled on its' roster, led by quarterback Chase Daniel, but the question is whether they have been pushed yet? CU will have to come to the game with the same intensity and first-half execution they displayed in Athens against the Bulldogs to give itself a chance to win, but if the Buffaloes do, they might put doubt in the minds of the Tigers, who haven't been pushed.

Won't be easy, though, as Daniel is a winner. As the Daily Camera's Kyle Ringo points out, Daniel is 35-1 as a starter since his junior year of high school in Southlake, Texas.

As wonderful a talent as departed Tiger quarterback Brad Smith was, Daniel might end up being more successful. As CU coach Dan Hawkins said about Daniel in Ringo's article, "he's used to winning."

A question about Cody Hawkins is this...should he be playing this year, as Daniel was first exposed to the college game last season. Daniel played in parts of nine games in 2005, backing up Smith. Daniel told Ringo that experience has played big dividends.

"I think it was huge" he said. "It was the first time I was like, 'Wow, I can do this.' It was the first taste of success I had."

Daniel currently has nine touchdown passes and only two interceptions. His coach, Gary Pinkel, is already passionately in love, Ringo writes.

"That's probably the thing I like most about him is his competitive spirit."

TheTruth...Bernard Jackson is likely to be a two-year starter, providing he stays healthy and continues to grow, so that begs the question, do you get Cody Hawkins some spot action this season so he's ready to be a productive backup in 2007 or do you hold on to his redshirt season to retain another year of potential starting time for him? It says here to play Hawkins now, thinking that you will be able to bring in another talented quarterback in the next two-to-three years, so you don't lose anything and protect yourself this season and next if Jackson goes down or is ineffective. Daniel has talent and his confidence grew with minimal playing time last season allowing him to hit the ground running in 2006.

Ridgell talks Buffs

Patrick Ridgell of the Longmont Times-Call spent some time with the Black and Gold Breakdown this morning, discussing the progress CU is making as a team. I'll share his insight tonight.

Among the topics discussed were the Buffs, now and then, the offense's capabilities, Bernard Jackson, Riar Greer, wide receiver play, and more.

And a note you may or may not have seen, Brian White headed to Portland State.

TheTruth

Wright and Elway disagree

When former Denver Broncos' quarterback John Elway, a Hall-of-Famer it should be pointed out, was questioned about the importance of losing a training-camp scrimmage, he replied "that's why they keep score, isn't it?"

So excuse me for blinking when I read CU defensive lineman Abraham Wright was quoted in a B.G. Brooks article in the Rocky Mountain News as saying "The (Georgia) loss...doesn't affect me," he said, adding "It's like a preseason game; if we'd have won that 100-0, tell me how it would have helped us win- or loss-wise? It wouldn't have.

"I mean, if you're counting it toward a bowl game, yeah. But our goal is to go to the Big 12 championship. That (Georgia) game, it doesn't mean anything."

O.K., I get his point. Most of us do. I also give Wright credit for playing hard and making plays this season. However, that game, that team, Georgia, did matter. Winners love competing, hate to lose and don't spin it off as anything less than defeat.

Yes, don't get buried by failing, and get drunk on depression, but at the same time, please don't say a loss ain't all that. Promise you, Elway, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady didn't or don't so easily shuck off any losing outing. They want to win them all. Coming up short, hurts.

Anytime it happens.

Thankfully, later in Brooks' piece, coach Dan Hawkins was the voice of reason.

"I don't really want them to get it behind them; I want it to be squarely in front of them, to understand to continue to push, to execute."

Yes, I realize the goal is to win the Big 12, but come on now, even this dude, as in myself, knows the Buffs didn't come into the season thinking, "hey, let's just go out and throw the ball around for four games and by then, we'll be ready to roll."

It's easy to say games don't matter after you've already gone o-for.

Star search

Even in defeat, many positives came out of Saturday's loss at Georgia.

Two individuals who shined brightly were defensive lineman George Hypolite and tight end Riar Geer. Both flashed signs of future stardom. And both seemingly came out of nowhere.

Hypolite, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound sophomore from Los Angeles looked like an All American against a top-10 school, destroying Bulldogs' blocking to the tune of two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a dominating performance not frequently seen by CU lineman.

Hypolite, who enjoys woodworking as one of his passions, simply carved up the bigger, more decorated offensive line of Georgia and is one big reason for optimism on defense. A year ago, he made 11 tackles in 203 plays. It seemed like he made that many yesterday alone.

Geer, a redshirt freshman from Grand Junction, reminds The Black and Gold Breakdown of how some cat named Joe Klopfenstein first grabbed our attention. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder was not someone Texas or USC had to have, just as Klopfenstein wasn't, but he has the makings of a playmaking tight end in the tradition of other talents at the position in school history.

Saturday, the numbers were seven catches for 71 yards. On the season, he has 10 grabs for 115 yards.

Geer also has an athletic lineage, as his grandfather wrestled at Wyoming and an uncle ran track at Colorado Mines.

Yes, CU lost the game but young players continue to emerge. By the end of the season, hopefully the fortunes will have turned but one thing is for sure, the table is being set for something much bigger in 2007.

Early Sunday Notes....Buffs accountable, win in losing

This program is going to be a winner again.

Mark it down.

If it's not coach Dan Hawkins' unshakable confidence, and his ability to convey that to his team, it's his players being older than their years in maturity.

In Sunday's Denver Post, in an article by Chris Dempsey, running back Hugh Charles and linebacker Brad Jones, both of whom had the spotlight on them in the loss to Georgia, stepped up and took responsibility for the defeat.

When no one asked them to do so.

Charles, stripped by Bulldogs' cornerback Paul Oliver in the fourth quarter, didn't hesistate in putting the ugly on his back.

"I think that fumble changed the game," he said. " I put it on me."

Harsh, yes, and he did make a mistake but a blocked field goal, a touchdown called back, and other errors also played into the bad ending.

Jones, beaten for the game-winning touchdown, also showed his character.

"I feel like this loss is on my shoulders," he said. "Coaches just keep telling me 'Don't get down, it was only one play. There were a lot of things leading up to that that put us into that situation.' But, of course, it's hard to take in and say that it wasn't your fault."

TheTruth...We don't pull punches here and that gets us in trouble at times but nothing is going to change today. Charles and Jones did not lose the game but their willingness to accept responsibility, their character to deflect blame from others is a sign of maturity and great things to come. How about some hypotheticals, too? If Charles gets better blocking on the play he fumbles, if someone gets a hat on Oliver, maybe the fumble never happens. If the Buffs mount a better pass rush on Georgia quarterback Joe Cox, maybe Jones doesn't have to cover as long and doesn't get beaten. As it was, it was a perfectly-thrown pass. It's a team game and you win and lose as a team, and nothing says it better than two players admitting their shortcomings and protecting their teammates. We salute Charles and Jones at The Black and Gold Breakdown.

Saturday Night Buff Notes...Buffs prepared

Normally, a loss is nothing more than a loss.

Saturday may have been an exception.

Yes, Colorado fell to 0-4 and there is no way around the fact that means winless and that is highly disappointing. However, to go south, to ninth-ranked Georgia, lead until the final minute, shows Dan Hawkins' team is building something.

The defense remains surprisingly strong under coordinator Ron Collins, showing the physical nature necessary against a bigger team, and one with top-tier Southeastern Conference talent, and that is impressive any way you slice it.

New stars seem to shine brightly each week. If it isn't Abraham Wright showing a pass rush that has been lacking in Buff defenses in recent years, it's sophomore defensive lineman George Hypolite (looking like a one-man wrecking crew with his two sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery and all-around mayhem). Or linebacker Brad Jones compiling seven tackles. Throw in constants like linebackers Jordan Dizon and Thad Washington and CU's defense is showing more potential than it has in some time.

Offensively, 13 points is still not enough production.

The silver lining is the Buffs ran the ball effectively with running back Hugh Charles (18 carries for 72 yards) and the man under center, Bernard Jackson (15 for 85). The CU quarterback also showed some chemistry with a young tight end named Riar Geer (7 catches for 71 yards).

While the team is still lacking big plays from the outside, the Buffs do have talent at the wide receiver position.

A blocked field goal early in the game hurts big.

Very big.

The margin for error is going to be small all season long. As the talent base increases, the Buffs will be able to withstand mistakes here and there. As it is now, every miscue becomes magnified at game's end.

Maybe now some Hawkins' doubters will see he is, indeed, moving the program forward. Yes, there are going to be some serious road bumps but the ship is headed in the right direction.

TheTruth

Still hot post-game thoughts

Maybe time will change my view but my immediate impressions following Colorado's loss at Georgia.

1. lay money on post-game comments being we're just a couple plays away.
2. CU did play the Bulldogs much closer than anticipated.
3. Georgia found their starting quarterback today.
4. Hugh Charles had a strong day, considering how stout that Dawg defense has been.
5. Bernard Jackson took a big step towards success. His best game against CU's best opponent.
6. Mistakes still are crushing this team. The margin for error for this team is slim going into
   every game. The Buffs continue to beat themselves as much as the opponent giving the black and gold an "L" to put up on the board.
7. This is a tremendous defensive unit. Coordinator Ron Collins has done a lot with a little.
8. Everyone was excited with the hiring of Mark Helfrich but it's' his unit which is struggling.
9. There has to be hope now, if nothing else, for the Missouri game.
   
10. More later
    

Buffs at Georgia...first half notes

Look at them Buffs!

Who's wearing those CU uniforms today, anyway?

That pitiful 0-3 team we've seen or some new, improved version that might actually become somebody?

The score at half might only be 10-0 CU, but that's against the ninth-ranked team in the country. The Bulldogs are playing a freshman quarterback, but one everyone in the nation would have liked to have had, they are playing with top-5 or top-10 talent and a defense that is being lauded as one of the best in the land.

Hugh Charles is building off of what he accomplished against Arizona State, Bernard Jackson is having his best day as a Buff and Riar Geer is having his first statement game, at a position CU is starting to establish as a tradition, tight end (Fauria, Lepsis, Graham, Klopfenstien, Sypniewski).

Remember this, the offense all starts with the offensive line. And, as Jay Leeuwenburg said this week on The Black and Gold Breakdown, it's all about repetitions in the new offense.

Defensively, CU may not be a new version of the old Miami Hurricanes or even outfits led by Alfred Williams and Kanavas McGhee but they have been much improved this season and extremely stout today, pow!

Great first-half effort, tremendous coaching.

A first half does not a game make. A first half does not equal victory.

Strong foundation, however, for success.

Do the Buffs have what it takes?

Can't hear you.

TheTruth

Hawkins embraces adversity, perspective

Dan Hawkins held his weekly press conference Tuesday at the Dal Ward Athletic Center and commented on his team and looked ahead to the match up with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Here are some of his better comments, courtesy of cubuffs.com and Nick Bernal, the student assistant in the sports information office.


Playing the Bulldogs and potential for disaster: "There's potential for disaster when you get out your car on to the freeway. I know when I left Boise State there was a potential for disaster. So that doesn't scare me and doesn't scare us at all. There is also potential for greatness. You can hide in the shadow if you want, but that's not living."

B & G Breakdown: Why was that question asked? Of course, CU is going to be in for a long day against Georgia. The game, however, is on the schedule. It has to be played. Hawkins, to me, is either one of the great speakers ever or he sees the big picture better than anyone. Personally, he is one of the most upbeat, optimistic, motivational quotes I've ever heard in sports. What differentiates him from Rick Neuheisel is that Hawkins seems sincere, that he's not putting on some Eddie Haskell show.

On Georgia: "They do (well) whatever they want to do. They are very talented, " Hawkins said, adding, "If you get them, you legitimately have to go beat them, because they are not going to beat themselves."

B & G Breakdown: Remember when the Buffs used to be such a program? UGA is a power under coach Mark Richt and CU is over matched. Hawkins knows that well. However, that doesn't mean some good can't come out of this game. CU can work on executing better, learning if the offense can make plays consistently, identifying who can make those plays, how well the defense can meet the challenge and whether Ralphie is the only one who runs in the clear on Saturday.

On support from other coaches during the rough beginning: "There isn't one great coach out there who hasn't gone through the valley, there isn't one great player that hasn't gone through the valley. If you're not willing to go through the valley you are never going to see the mountain; it's just not going to happen."

B & G Breakdown: The man is amazing. Can I be the "Rudy" for this team? Let me suit up. He's right, you know. Look at Joe Paterno, as one example. Everyone wanted to run his sorry, old body out of town...until last season. Tom Osborne couldn't win a national championship. Bobby Bowden couldn't win a national championship. Dean Smith couldn't win one at North Carolina for the basketball program. Roy Williams didn't do it at Kansas. Then, all of a sudden, those coaches broke through and the criticism melted away. Who knows what Hawkins will accomplish but I'm not betting against him. To me, he's easily the best potential hire since Bill McCartney. Not just for his words but for his success too. Brighter days will be coming to Boulder. The man ain't David Copperfield, though. Rome wasn't built in a day.

On expectations for the season: "I have extremely high expectations for the season and I'm never going to back away from that," Hawkins said, adding "You come in here, you dig hard, you dig as well as you can and that is what you do."

B & G Breakdown: Who's digging? Don't look at me. The digging is just starting right now and CU is beginning with the first shovel-full. I think, eventually, Hawkins will get something positive out of this year, regarding the development of players, instilling confidence, implementing his philosophy and preaching the culture of a new day for CU football.

On starting 0-3: "It hasn't been that long, we were 0-2 last year at Boise State. It's not bad times, and I know you think all of this stuff is Zig Ziglar kinds of stuff but you are defined by these moments. It is really why I came here. You find out who you are, how good you are."

B & G Breakdown: Hawkins may have been 0-2 last year at Boise State but he didn't have to play a Big-12 schedule afterwards. Tiny difference. What, are you kidding me? Did he use a Zig Ziglar reference? What football coach talks like that, I ask? CU sports information director Dave Plati says Hawkins is a cross between McCartney and Neuheisel and for me, I see some Phil Jackson (former Chicago Bulls and now Los Angeles Lakers' coach) in him, with his intelligence and deep-thinking nature. His comments show he is not afraid of a challenge and 0-3 doesn't faze him. His not barking at reporters, not shying away from the media and to me, all that is a great sign. There is no blame, either, no foolish excuses, Hawkins' enthusiasm seems genuine and the belief in his system is strong. Glorious days are comin' around the mountain, boys.

Leeuwenburg says offense coming, CU needs talent

The Black and Gold Breakdown takes a different look at the Buffaloes, getting a player's perspective from former CU All-American center and long-time pro Jay Leeuwenburg, the man who snapped the ball and graded out paths for skill players during the 1990-91 Orange Bowl-teams that played Notre Dame. Leeuwenburg was a unanimous first-team All-American, only the fourth Buff to earn that honor.

BGB: You played on powerful offenses at CU but as a professional, I'm sure there were days your teams experienced struggles on that side of the ball. In your opinion, what kind of expectations and pressure are the players feeling right now at CU on offense?

Leeuwenburg: There are so many emotions going on with these men. Their confidence is shaken. A new coaching staff comes in with a new language, a new system and that's a lot to handle. In my pro career, I had eight different head coaches. You don't think it matters that much but it does. Then they (CU) don't have a good beginning against Montana State and what confidence you do have is gone.

BGB: We hear Dan Hawkins say the offense is only a couple plays away. When you're averaging less than eight points a game, aren't you a more than two plays away?

Leeuwenburg: Every coach has his media front. Nothing good can come out of him saying "we're a horrible offense." The question is 'what is he telling his players behind closed doors?'"

The part I don't like about the offense now is there is a lot more pulling, trapping, a lot of misdirection. The offensive line, running backs and tight end are not used to that type of scheme. Then, I was watching the ASU game and they do a zone, straight-ahead running game. These guys (players) have been with (Gary) Barnett for seven years and that's thousands and thousands of repetitions the same way. They can't change overnight.

BGB: Is CU so talent deficient right now that it can't score or is it something entirely different?

Leeuwenburg: You have (offensive lineman) Mark Fenton and Brian Daniels, two preseason all-conference selections. I still believe if they're that good, use them. Line it up and run behind them. Yes, right now they are facing a lot of eight and nine-man fronts because the quarterback can't throw but you start there. And, Gary Barnett did not have elite recruiting classes. You have to bring blue chippers in and he has not.

BGB: On teams you've played for, does one unit ever look down upon another, whether it's the defense thinking or saying the offense isn't getting it done or vice versa?

Leeuwenburg: The players absolutely do that. But in my experience it almost always comes back to bite you in the butt. As soon as you start pointing fingers, as soon as you start worrying about the defensive side of the ball, you're taking away the focus on offense and you go lay an egg. The offense will get going because they will get more reps.

BGB: Where is this program right now, Jay? How far away is it from being a consistent top-20 team?

Leeuwenburg: What I see missing is we need a blue-chip quarterback. Hopefully the bad offensive year doesn't scare those players away. It's a two-to-three year process to get players in here.

BGB: What about having Cody Hawkins on the roster? Him being the coaches son, will that blue-chip recruit at his position cross off CU as an option or will that not be an issue?

Leeuwenburg: It could play a factor. It is a concern, real or not. He may be the best quarterback for that system right now. If he lights it up, then you have a problem. You do need a special guy who will take a chance (at coming to Boulder). That (blue chipper) has got to be a quarterback to help Dan Hawkins change the climate.

BGB: If you were Dan Hawkins, how would you recruit a young Jay Leeuwenburg to CU?

Leeuwenburg: I'd say this program has proven it is committed to championship football. I've been successful wherever I've been. What coach Mac (Bill McCartney) said that drew me to him was his honesty and I believe Dan Hawkins could be the same way.

BGB: You're planning on or are writing a book right now, I hear. Will you share a little bit about it with us?

Leeuwenburg: I wrote a book on my life, Yes I Can, Yes You Can, Tackle Diabetes and Win. I saw there were no role models of having diabetes and playing sports. I wrote this book because I wanted to be an inspiring tale that they can be what they want.

The book I'm working on with (CU sports information director) Dave Plati is a compilation of CU football, called something along the line of Tales of Colorado football, from Mac to Neu (Rick Neuheisel) to Gary Barnett and even the Dan Hawkins era. There's a lot of stories.

BGB: How do you spend your life these days?

Leeuwenburg: I'm teaching third grade at Colorado Academy, I work at The Mountain as an in-studio analyst, and for Fox Sports Net, for a show called Football Playbook, and on Fox Sports Radio as a college analyst.

Buff Notes..coaches, losing them all, finger pointing

In a Jim Armstrong column in the Denver Post, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is quoted as saying, on the Buffaloes bumbling start to the season: "It's not pain. It's not agony. It's a situation and you understand it. I'm not into this rebuilding business.

Certainly there's a foundation that has to be laid, but I don't know how you realistically come into a season and kind of go, 'Well, you know, guys, I really feel like in about eight years you're really going to like what's going on here."'

TheTruth...Hawkins remains amazingly consistent on his stance on what he bought into, where the program is and how it isn't a quick fix. He isn't having any problem. It's just no one else is hearing it outside the university. His players get it, the the athletic department gets it, the administration, the same thing.

Yet, to most others, the sky is falling, as if CU was loaded up with USC or Texas-type talent, as if former coach Gary Barnett went shopping and stocked the cupboards with premium goods before he was sent packing.


Speaking of Barnett, the man remains in the news a lot for not even coaching a team this fall. The profile is high and look for him to get another job in the next few years. That's right, the next few years. It says here it will take that long for the perceiveddreck to melt off him in the eyes of athletic directors around the country.

His work at Northwestern, and yes, CU still make him attractive.

In a Ventura County Star article written by Jake Schaller on Sept. 17, where Barnett was asked about possibly succeeding Fisher DeBerry at Air Force, Barnett responded by saying "I don't know about that one...I've always had great respect for that program and institution."

TheTruth...Read into that what you will but dig deep and you here, "it's not my cup of tea but that job is attractive, you bet." And honestly, tarnished coaches can't be choosers. Just ask UTEP's Mike Price.

And fact is, Barnett might be a natural fit at the academy, as he has roots in the area from his prep coaching days and his style of playing would fit what the military is all about and has been about, running the football.

Also in that article, Barnett was firm in his belief that CU isn't devoid of talent, saying "There's plenty of talent there." Of course, easy for him to say, he doesn't have to coach it and his career record for the Buffs, despite his success, was hardly eye catching, at 49-38 in seven seasons.

The man is still very angry, which honestly, and just ask former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson about this one, doesn't bode well for selling yourself to your next employer, when the AD has to sell you to everyone else.

Could Colorado go 0-12 this season?

Say it ain't so

MSNBC contributor Joey Johnston asked that question and concluded that too many things have to go wrong for a winless season to happen and in that time, something good has to go down.

But then he vascillates and says the Buffs may indeed be headed down that rough road.

Foolish.

Yes, CU is bad. Very bad right now but by the end of the season, some magic will all come together on the same day, or days, and a win, or wins will be added to the books.

So despite a pitiful start, made worse by the fact that only past opponent, Arizona State looks like a winning team, it is unlikely the Buffs would lose each game.

But point is, people are now asking such a question, which says it all to where this program is in right now...the depths.

Which leads us to this story...

Daily Camera reporter Kyle Ringo did a story Wednesday on CU's 213-straight game scoring streak and how it might be in jeopardy this weekend against a vaunted Georgia defense.

Ringo's work definitely has merit and is well timed, especially with the Buffs decision to play offense this season with blindfolds.

However, is this what it's come to? Stories about even scoring at all? That's not on Ringo, it's on the offense that's missing, misfiring, out of gas, whatever.

Where have all those big scoring days gone?

Maybe the school known for internal investigations can get one started on this issue.

Dempsey talks pressure

Denver Post writer Chris Dempsey wrote a story on Sept. 18 on finger pointing.

Not at me.

Not even you.

Within the ranks on the Buffs.

Offense vs. defense.

The guys stopping the ball are doing a superior job to those in Boulder trying to advance it.

Cornerback Terrence Wheatly, apparently a budding politician, said, diplomatically, "We understand the situation. They are doing their best. That's all we can ask for."

You truly believe that's the thought process of Ron Collins' unit on Saturdays?

Ah, o.k.

Please pee in that cup.

At least Wheatly is keeping the discontent in-house and muffled.

Leeuwenburg interview coming evening of Sept. 20

CU All American Jay Leeuwenburg spoke with The Black and Gold Breakdown this week and his comments will be printed Wednesday night. Leeuwenburg looks at the team from a player's perspective and provides his insight.

Offense might lead to McCartney days' flashback, Sunday Notes and Quotes

Another competitive effort on defense, another broken-down performance on offense and yet another loss to start the Dan Hawkins' tenure.

Losing to Arizona State is no sin.

How the team is experiencing those defeats is the distressing element to many as the offense, while loaded with question marks to begin the season, was certainly not expected to be run over flat every Saturday.

We're talking Chuck Fairbanks bad right now as a team.

And the offense is as meek as they come, nationally.

Averaging under 10 points is almost unbelievable. Hawkins' reputation on offense wasn't built on scoreboard debacles like the ones in 2006. His reputation as a winning coach wasn't a result of three-week stretches like he has had as coach of the Buffaloes.

However, sooner or later, the heat is going to land on the shoulders of the coach, even this year. Hawkins is not likely to disappoint athletic director Mike Bohn or the school administration and the coach himself remains confident, at least publicly, knowing his blueprints for success are not the one-season miracle plan.

Maybe former coach Gary Barnett doesn't start 0-3 but know what? It doesn't matter. Barnett is no longer in charge of the football team. The late-season slide in 2005 was a major negative as were the off-the-field shenanigans during his time as coach, fair or not, and thus is the reason why he doesn't have the chance to be 2-1 or 3-0.

Hawkins will be granted a lot of leeway but the school, the fans, and the players would all like to see the required improvement to earn some wins along the way before this season closes, something to build on for the future.

To this point the offensive line has been a major disappointment, the quarterbacks inefficient and ineffective and the end zone appears to be as off limits as a strip club on a recruiting visit.

No matter how hard the defense plays, this team is going nowhere fast until Hawkins and Company get the offense out of the shop and rolling. This clunker of a unit has to start scoring points or Colorado could conceivably have its' worst record since Bill McCartney's early outfits.

Hawkins might, as school sports information director Dave Plati says, have some McCartney in him, which he will need to fend off the wolves if his team goes 3-8 or 2-9. Right now, that might seem far-fetched but really, who are the Buffaloes going to beat averaging under 8 points?

Maybe the offense really starts clicking, opens up the throttle and starts lighting up the scoreboard for 14-17 per game. Yes, then with the defense playing well, another victory or two might come CU's way but this might very well be a season to fall on the sword.

There is no white towel to throw in. The games have to be played. Unless the line starts living up to its' potential and unless a quarterback asserts himself, the running backs and receivers will be rendered useless and the defense and special teams will be responsible for scoring the Buffaloes' points.

That's not the way of past CU bowl teams.

Sunday Notes

Barnett talking

Former Buffalo head coach Gary Barnett got caught with his pants down in an Associated Press article written by Pat Graham, saying "It's hard for me to believe that the players that I no longer coach are 0-3."

What did he say?

Did it sound a little like "Hey, all I'm saying is that team wouldn't be 0-3 if I were still running the show, I can guarantee you that!"

Is that Barnett clocking Dan Hawkins, Mike Bohn or merely pumping himself up?

You decide. Black & Gold Breakdown has its' opinion.

Hawkins comes clean

Hawkins has been trying to keep the peace while the Buffs' offense plays raggedy yet also admits they keep score for a reason. In a Neill Woelk column in The Daily Camera, the head coach says "I know, it's big-boy football, and this was a loss."

Nothing more needs to be said for a moment.

Let it sink in.

No matter the excuses, a loss is a loss and they need to hurt, be accepted and lessons learned.

That said, Hawkins is a big-picture kind of fella, not a former NFL-coach Jim Mora, who was well known for having nuclear meltdowns after his team's bumbling, losing ways.

In the end, Hawkins was not hired to take the Buffs to the summit in one year. He knew, Bohn knew, everyone but the fans knew it wasn't going to be a Hollywood miracle in year one.

If character is revealed in adversity, Hawkins is showing some real integrity and class.

Of course, selling his story is going to get increasingly more difficult in a couple more weeks. A win here or there will stave off the fanatics for a while. This season will likely be more about establishing a culture, familiarizing the players with a new system, determining who can play and who can't and recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.

Charles no longer MIA

An offensive bright spot in the loss to ASU was the re-emergence of Hugh Charles. The diminutive running back busted out, running for 109 yards on 20 carries, showing glimpses of his finer moments a season ago and getting one of the known and better talents on the unit back producing.

His effort was the finest individual performance for the offense this season and a necessity if the Buffs are going to establish some consistency in it's attempt to get the ball into an end zone or two before the season ends.

Charles effectiveness will turn down the heat on opposing pass rushes, allowing quarterback Bernard Jackson to actually take a breath before being hounded or pounded into the turf when he drops back to pass.

Charles was an outsider to start the season, due to injuries and surprising ineffectiveness, as detailed by Daily Camera reporter Kyle Ringo in an interview last week on The Black & Gold Breakdown. Maybe Saturday was a step forward for Charles. Now the offense has something, anything, to build on for next week.

The Two-Plays Explanation

Hawkins continues to analyze the theory of his team's offensive ineptitude and the preach the promise of better days. He was quoted on the subject in an article by Ringo "We're going to have a day here when we do win, and you guys will say, 'What's the difference?,' Hawkins said. ""And I will say, 'Two plays.'"

O.K., I swear I've heard this now for three weeks. At what point do men, intelligent enough to gain admission to nit-picky CU, guys who have been practicing in the spring and fall and whom have played three games, start making enough plays to break the 10-point barrier on offense?

I mean schools less acclaimed academically are scoring more than 10 points in a game, right?

Maybe that CU education is overrated.

Something tells me it is much more than two plays not being made.

I mean, this is football, not the stuff of Nobel Prize-winning research.

Favorite son pondering

Quick, who is many Buff fans' favorite son?

Or whipping boy?

In the media?

That's him, you nailed it. Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.

Not because of his lack of talent as he is a provocative read but because he is seen by many as unfair and heavily biased against the university.

Of course, he is still employed and has been for years so he must accomplish his and the paper's objectives.

His latest indulgence?

Thinking that Hawkins' son, a freshman quarterback, is the best at his position on the team and should, get this, be starting, soon.

Of course, the head coach is hearing none of that, refuting Kiszla with a sharp "no."

He knows that throwing his son out there is like throwing chum into shark-infested waters. He'd be eaten alive. And not only would he have to hear about that in the media and from fans, he'd have to witness it and worst of all, go home to his wife, and the quarterback's mother.

Bernard Jackson might be lacking right now, not all his fault, but he has been in the program, even if not taking reps at quarterback and that experience has to account for something. Additionally, he is mobile, more so than the younger Hawkins.

For now, Jackson is the best option.

Next season, who knows.

Kiszla, a smart mind, maybe jumped the gun on this one.

It should have been no more than a fleeting thought.


The number 7 ain't so lucky, is it?

The Buffs have now lost seven-straight games, the final four of last season and first three of this season. How far as this program fallen? Look ahead and pick likely wins on the schedule, a given that good-to-great programs do every year.

CU used to be one of those programs.

These days there isn't one contest the Buffs can say, "yeah, we should win that one."

Not one.

Not with an offense with an aversion to the end zone. Has anyone told them that the end zone is the dance floor, the key to BMOC status, girls, and riches? It's not English class or jail. It's not to be feared.

Georgia looms next and the consecutive-loss streak looks to grow. The time is now for CU to accelerate the learning curve and play to its' potential on both sides of the football, not just one.

Koetter complimenting

Yes, ASU coach Dirk Koetter once worked with Hawkins and yes coaches stick together like peanut butter and jelly but Koetter is not going to specifically and emphatically say the things he did about his friend if he doesn't mean it.

In an article written by Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post, Koetter says "Dan Hawkins is a heck of a football coach. Colorado made a very wise choice when they hired him, and he's just got to keep doing the things that he's doing."

Koetter knows what Hawkins knows. The CU job wasn't as ready-made as some would believe. It was a program that had gotten content and was slipping. It was also a program that couldn't keep up when sleeping giants Oklahoma and Texas woke up in the Big 12 and USC arose, reclaiming old recruiting hotbeds, leaving the Buffs without players who once came to Boulder.

Quotes, courtesy of Dave Plati's media relations department and cubuffs.com

Dan Hawkins: "Morale gets bad when people point fingers."

B & G Breakdown: He's right. Finger pointing is never the solution. However, acceptance, accountability, adjustments and improvement have to be part of the equation and right now, the adjustments and improvement being made and seen are questionable. That said, if all those are being discussed, then encouragement, a Hawkins' specialty, is powerful. Without confidence, not much great is accomplished.

Hawkins on Hugh Charles: "He's showing up."

B & G Breakdown: Charles has to play well if the offense is going to go anywhere this season. He has one of the few players on that side of the ball with the speed and big-play ability so sorely missing and necessary on a unit lacking in playmakers. Whatever it was, injuries or ineffectiveness, as Kyle Ringo discussed here last week in an interview, Charles was a non-factor until ASU. Now he has the coaches attention. Now is the time to build on that success.

Hawkins talking quarterbacks: I like Bernard (Jackson) in there and what he's doing. We've got a true freshman. He's a true freshman. You put Cody (Hawkins) in there and he goes through the same true freshman mistakes that Bernard goes through. Bernard can control it. He's got the legs and he's made more plays this week than he did last week. The (play) package was bigger this week and he probably had a few more errors than he did last week."

B & G Breakdown: The words that were interesting was the comment about the game plan being bigger this week, backing up what Hawkins said last week about not waiting for the quarterback's to catch up, that the coaching staff was going to push the envelope, as Hawkins said. They're doing that right now. It also says something about the confidence they have in Jackson and the confidence Jackson has in himself, to move forward. The positive results aren't there yet but they could be in a few weeks. The scoreboard is the grade.

ASU coach Dirk Koetter: "Tonight was about the Sun Devil defense. When you hold any team on their home field to three points, you're going to win a lot of games. My hat is off to the Sun Devil defense, they dominated tonight; they did a great job."

B & G Breakdown: O.K., coach, you deserve to crow as you whipped CU in their backyard. However, saying you dominated the skinny kid on the block doesn't exactly carry much weight. This isn't a high-scoring offense with NFL types anchored everywhere. There ain't no sizzle going on reminiscent of days past. Yes, ASU might be a strong defense but don't carried away until you lock it up with a team like USC, Oregon or UCLA, boys who can actually make you break a sweat.

Buff linebacker Jordon Dizon on morale: "It's great. After we come out from a loss, Coach Hawkins and his words are so contagious. He comes out and picks us up. My heart is full of love for him and for this game. It doesn't feel like I lost tonight."

B & G Breakdown: So much love, so few wins. Do you think you hear "It doesn't feel like I lost tonight" coming out of Bob Stoops' or Charlie Weis' locker rooms this weekend? I imagine you want to hurt a little and feel like you lost after a defeat. Losing should be a little painful. Yes, I understand the context in which Dizon is speaking, and if Hawkins can keep it light during a stressful time, that can be beneficial. He does, however, have to keep the program moving in the right direction, making fewer mistakes and more plays each week. Last I checked, Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton were known to be great speakers and neither of them ever won a football game. In the end, its' about execution. That isn't a talent issue, that is coaching and accountability from the players.

Dizon on the team goal: "The Big 12 is still up there. It's a longshot but it's up there."

B & G Breakdown: Did I just read that accurately? The Big 12 season, which CU has yet to begin, is a longshot? So Dizon is conceding that this team is not going places? Hey, I agree with him but hearing it from a player before a game is played is somewhat surprising, don't you think?

Ringo talks Jackson, Charles, and expectations

Two rough weeks to open the Dan Hawkins' era and there are a lot of questions, even more theories to the solutions, and an increasing hunger for the elusive win.

Here at The Black and Gold Breakdown today to take a stab at some of those riddles is Kyle Ringo, the beat reporter for CU athletics for Boulder's Daily Camera.

BGB: Publicly, CU appears to have avoided panic and has bought into Hawkins' calm approach to righting the ship and building lasting success. How long can Hawkins and his staff keep the player's trust and spirits positive?

Ringo: The more they lose the tougher that job will be, especially for the older guys, the (Gary) Barnett guys. I do think there are a lot of good character guys on this team. You don't see a lot of "me" players, a lot of selfishness.

BGB: Offensively, what's wrong right now? Is it the line, the quarterbacking, a talent deficiency, sloppiness?

Ringo: All of the above. I attribute it to recruiting the past few years. As much as coaches want to downplay the three, four, five-star guys, it matters. If you are recruiting two-star players it's going to catch up to you. CU got stuck in a rut. I'd also be a moron if I didn't consider the scandal and two years of negative press and the recruiting restrictions as factors. Colorado has to meet a different standard. I should also point out that under Barnett, they (CU) were in a west-coast system and they did the same thing week after week. Under Hawkins and (Mark) Helfrich (the offensive coordinator), they are more of a game-plan group and how they attack the defense. They are not afraid to change things.

BGB: Where's Hugh Charles? He seems like the explosive talent this sputtering offense needs and he's nowhere to be found.

Ringo: This offense doesn't need this guy running into the middle of the line for one yard. They need to find him a niche, and find a way to get him into space. Running him into the thick of the defense has proven to be not a good idea. They should try to get him into the passing game and use his speed. Injuries have also slowed him down and that has allowed others to catch up (on the depth chart). He had a high-ankle sprain then an elbow injury slowed him down further.

BGB: Bernard Jackson, is he really that limited as a passer or is it just him being inexperienced and uncomfortable right now?

Ringo: In a side session with the beat writers, after his press conference, Hawkins said Joel Klatt got every rep (repetition) under the former coaching staff. (Hawkins) is saying that they neglected to develop the younger quarterbacks to get the most out of Klatt. He was saying Jackson is like a true freshman in his junior year. So he is limited but that is not attributable to his talent but to his experience level. He will be a better passer in Dec. 2006 than anyone thinks he will be.

BGB: Hawkins has said he's not going to strip the offense down, Kyle, but with the quarterback issues, how can you, as Hawkins says "push the envelope" as far as the passing game?

Ringo: There are plenty of things you can do to get creative in the passing game and make things easier. (CSU quarterback) Caleb Hannie completed his first 14 passes (against CU) and they were simple things and they were doing them well. Jackson and (backup quarterback) James Cox could do the same things.

BGB: What did you think of Eddie Crowder's letter of support for Hawkins and the leadership at CU (printed in the Daily Camera)? Normally such a need for support doesn't come so early in a coaches' tenure, does it?

Ringo: Eddie's a good guy. I'm not sure why Eddie felt a need to do that after the first game. I can't speak for coach Crowder. Obviously, he believes in the coaching staff and I think his point is there is a lot of new stuff here and a lot of good stuff and let's (as fans) not overreact.

BGB: Do you believe the fan's expectations were too high to begin the season? It seems Hawkins' personality works people up into a lather. Was that a good thing or an unfortunate one?

Ringo: I don't know what the expectations were. You can't blame the fans for having great expectations. This is CU. They want to play for the national championship and New Year's Day bowl games. Hawkins has the gift of gab and has a knack for saying things of a quotable nature and that gets him in trouble sometimes.

BGB: Two games does not a season make. What will three games tell us about this team? Anything?

Ringo: After week three, fans will see more signs of progress. The Buffs are slowly coming around. After week three, fans will know Hawkins and his staff are not afraid to take risks.

BGB: Does this offense have the capability to score enough points to stay in games and compete for a bowl game of some sort or is that at least a year away?

Ringo: Without a doubt, this offense has the ability to score points and stay in games. ASU, Georgia, OU and Nebraska will be a challenge but there is not any game that they will be out of before they get into it. I do think they will have to play more mistake-free than other teams. I think, right now, they are lacking in confidence. They need a breakthrough moment.

BGB: Look ahead, Kyle. At the end of the season, who's the team's most productive offensive players and how good was the defense as a unit?

Ringo: The offensive players I think will be Bernard Jackson, Hugh Charles and Patrick Williams. The defense will have been pretty good but they probably don't maintain their top-10 rushing defense ranking because of the caliber of opponent they'll play. I think they will be a top-40 defense in overall defense and that's pretty good because its' in the top-third of defenses nationally.

BGB: Last question. Your early impressions of Hawkins, as a leader and as a personality?

Ringo: As a personality, he is a dynamic guy, a quote machine, an enthusiastic person. It's fun to be around him. He has a booming voice, says funny things to you every day. He's consistent. As a leader, I think he has what it takes. I take the Eddie Crowder line-of-thinking where you are judged by your lifetime batting average and (Hawkins) has been a success wherever he's been and I think he'll be successful at Colorado. It might take a few years but I think it will happen.

BGB

Spears says Patton does best job possible

The Black and Gold Breakdown and Nuggets Noise had a chance to speak to Marc J. Spears to talk basketball this week and Spears shared his views on the state of Ricardo Patton's Buffaloes. His insight on the Nuggets can be seen at http://nuggetsnoise.blogspot.com.

Spears, a former college power forward/center, is a columnist for The Denver Post and has also been published on ESPN.com, AOL Black Voices and Dunk Shoot.

Here is his personal breakdown on the Buffs.

BGB: Is Ricardo Patton respected for what he's done at a terrible basketball school or is he just being expected to do what any other coach is expected to do, especially in the Big 12, which is get to the NCAA Tournament, consistently?

Spears: He should be commended for the job he's done. No one expected anything from them last year and then they were decent. When they didn't make the NCAA's, everyone was mad. The emphasis at CU is on football. It's not going to be easy to be a power. He (Patton) gets guys like David Harrison and Richard Roby so he's doing something right but he probably won't be respected there until after he's gone.

BGB: Is Patton's job dependent on how far Roby can take CU?

Spears: It's unfortunate but that's probably the case. Roby has NBA talent but he made a good move coming back. If Ricardo would have been fired, Roby would have stayed in the draft. It's going to be tough with a young team (this season). I could see Roby being one of the nation's leading scorers. Those two need each other right now.

BGB: What has held CU back in the Big 12? Is it solely talent or is it coaching and facilities?

Spears: It's a combination of a lot of things. CU, like Nebraska, is a football school. They are decent but not likely going to be a power. The arena is not a great place. Recruits are not knocked off their feet. If CU wants to be a basketball power things are probably going to need to be stepped up money wise. Patton is probably recruiting the best he can recruit. There's a lot of fingers to point. All in all, they are where they should be.