Boulder – Hugh Charles got the ball for Colorado. Finally.
For the first time this season, Charles clearly was the featured running back in CU’s offense and carried the ball nearly three times more Saturday night (20) than he had in the Buffs’ previous two games combined (seven).
“I proved myself,” said Charles, a junior. “I guess the first two weeks the reason why I wasn’t playing was because I guess I was getting shown up by the other two (running backs).”
Charles finished CU’s 21-3 loss to Arizona State at Folsom Field with 20 carries for 109 yards. It was the fourth 100-yard game of his career, and he exceeded 1,000 yards for his career. He also caught a 33-yard pass in the second quarter.
The sitting was frustrating, though. In a world that mostly rewards those who have proven their worth, that wasn’t the case for Charles or anyone else on CU’s team after coach Dan Hawkins arrived.
“Coming with the new coaching staff, they really didn’t know too much,” Charles said. “You’d hope they know, and keep you in there. It is frustrating, but you just have to work around it.”
Said Hawkins: “He’s showing up. I thought Hugh had a good day.”
Future opponents finalized
CU announced a home-and-home series with Louisiana State, Oregon and Utah, beginning with LSU in 2011.
“Our objective is to be on the national spotlight with the biggest games against some of the most respected programs,” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said. “We believe we owe that to our team and to our fans, and we believe it helps us in recruiting. And in the long run, as you work towards being involved in the BCS process, you want to have a schedule that gives you the opportunity to compete for a national championship.”
CU plays in Baton Rouge, La., in 2011, with LSU returning the game the following season. Utah, which hasn’t played CU since 1962, comes to Boulder in 2012. The Buffs play in Salt Lake City the following season. The home-and-home series with Oregon starts in 2014 in Eugene. The Ducks play in Boulder in 2017.
“I think it’s clearly an indication of the respect and the stature of the University of Colorado across the country,” Bohn said. “All the games we have scheduled give us an opportunity to showcase our region. It’s good for the city of Boulder, it’s good for the Front Range, and obviously it’s good for the university.”
Footnotes
Bernard Jackson’s second-quarter fumble at the goal line with CU down 14-3 was a game-changer, Hawkins said. “We were kind of feeling it a little bit, driving the ball,” he said. “Again, those plays where you get that thing; it ends up being a different ballgame.” … With one sack, CU defensive end Abraham Wright has five this season. … Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg attended the game.
