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.