Post-game quotes, courtesy of the University of Colorado sports information office and cubuffs.com.Dan Hawkins :“It’s easy to hang your head. It’s easy to point fingers. For these guys to see this thing through, it’s a big message in football, and it’s an even bigger message in life.”
Black & Gold Breakdown: Point, Hawkins. 'Nuff said. Congratulations, coach. You held your head high, with being condescending or placing blame. One day, the masses will see how special your attitude was when times, well, were bleak and many questioned you.
Hawkins on wide receiver Jerell Yates’ 29-yard, second quarter touchdown catch: "“He ran a little stutter-and-go and I felt like we could get him on that. Good design by coach (Mark) Helfrich, obviously good execution.”
“I look at that play right there, and I compare it to times in the past. You know, he gets open and B-Jack (Bernard Jackson) makes a great pass and Jarell makes the catch, and you’re up 14-0. In the last few weeks, it’s overthrown, it’s dropped, and everybody’s going ‘Aah you stink! You’re terrible!’ But we’re not.”
BGB: Hawkins, the comedian. How true! But that's the fine line between winning and losing, being lauded or assaulted. This week, Colorado gets the pats on the back, and to walk around with confidence and peace of mind.
Linebacker Jordon Dizon on no penalties: “It’s discipline. Bottom line. One of Coach Hawkins’ themes is discipline and you cannot have a football team without it. It’s funny how from last year we’d lead the nation in penalties and go to this game and not have any penalties. It just shows what kind of leadership we’ve got on this team and what kind of leadership we’ve got in the coaches. To keep the discipline is something that we’re striving for and we’re playing hard and it’s showing.”
BGB: If the players still believe in the coaches when you're 0-6 or 1-6, what does that say, especially to the faction that is still fuming over this staff replacing the one that won Big 12 north titles and a Big 12 championship. Not easy believing in your boss when you are losing each week. Dizon even had his character tested when he, along with some others, were challenged by coaches in the Missouri game, and yet, still obviously are throwing their bodies around for their leaders.
Dizon on winning: “It’s like Coach Hawkins said, ‘You’ll have your day in the sun, but tomorrow will be a cloudy day again.’ He keeps us humble, he keeps us going and his words are contagious. You will never keep your head down with those words around. Never.”
BGB: Why do the players believe in these coaches, when they just finally won a game? Why? Likely because they see things the media and public don't. And the program, while in its' infancy under the new regime, hasn't had unflattering or ugly stories regarding it on the field. On the field, yes, but most level-headed followers are being patient before rendering a final judgment on the capabilities and qualifications of the Hawkins' Gang.
Defensive end and sack-obsessed Abraham Wright: "“I’m sure Coach Hawkins is going to find a thousand mistakes and things we need to work on, like we didn’t win. That is good for us though, it’s what we need to not get complacent and keep working and improving.”
BGB: Hawkins is objective and yes, critical when he needs to be, yet still has the attention and support of his players. Losing has been difficult but in suffering through it, the Buffs have shown great character. So what's winning going to be like when it starts happening consistently?
BGB: A Matt Russell sighting? What a fine player he was and he won't be the last great one at that position to come through Boulder. Now one thing is for certain, amigos. Players don't lie to other players. IF Russell and others say they KNOW CU is close to getting in turned around, then those past Buffs believe it. Book it as fact they believe it.
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