Boulder – About the same time Iowa State coach Dan McCarney was announcing his resignation Wednesday night, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins was asked what he thought about it.
“Well, that’s a short question and a long answer,” Hawkins said, taking a deep breath. “He is a good guy, and he has done a lot for Iowa State football. The reality is in this deal, there’s not going to be anymore Joe Paternos or Bobby Bowdens. There’s not.
“To some degree it’s kind of sad. His team has been beat up, you’ve got a bunch of guys injured and that kind of stuff. You know how it goes: It’s no excuses. We all kind of accept the dynamics that go along with this thing, both the good and the bad, and it’s too bad.”
Hawkins met McCarney through offseason Nike functions and renewed acquaintances when Boise State faced Iowa State in the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl. The Cyclones play at CU on Saturday before ending the season at home against Missouri.
“He’ll land on his feet and he’ll be an asset to somebody because he’s a good guy, he’s a good coach and he’s done a lot for their football program,” Hawkins said. “But we all know how this thing goes. It’s ‘What have you done for me lately?”‘
The season has been a big disappointment for Iowa State, which was touted to challenge for the Big 12 North title. But injuries to the playmakers have had a large role in the Cyclones’ struggles. ISU (3-7, 0-6 Big 12) has not beaten a Division I opponent since defeating UNLV 16-10 on Sept. 9.
Hawkins said didn’t know how Wednesday’s announcement would affect how the Cyclones play against the Buffs.
“It’s hard to tell,” Hawkins said. “I would think they would be inspired. But you don’t know.”
Fenton on fence
Another week, another expectation to play.
Colorado center Mark Fenton has been at this point before, most recently last week when he thought he might play against Kansas State as he has worked to return from a broken bone in his right fibula. He dressed for the game, but did not play.
This week, Fenton says he will be ready to go again. In fact, he said he’s near 100 percent after suffering the injury on Sept. 23 at Georgia. He has done more this week in practice than at any point since mid-September.
“This is the best I’ve felt since the injury,” Fenton said.
Recruiting numbers
Colorado has 20 known commitments for its 2007 recruiting class. At least one of those players, junior college transfer quarterback Nick Nelson, is expected to sign with CU in the spring after graduating from Saddleback (Calif.) Community College in December.
Hawkins said the class of recruits will likely be no smaller than 25 and could grow to 31. NCAA rules prohibit any team from signing more than 25 athletes in any one class, but scholarships could be spread out in other places.
According to Hawkins, recruiting has gone well, and he’s not the only one who thinks so. Rivals.com rates Colorado’s class so far as the 21st-best in the nation.
“It’s been fine,” Hawkins said. “I think that those kids know what’s going on. Their parents know what’s going on and their coaches know what’s going on.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
