Boulder — Colorado has had football coaches who declined to place additional importance on an opening game, even when Colorado State was the opponent.
“Every game counts the same,” they echoed each year.
Don’t count current CU boss Dan Hawkins among them.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon during Colorado media day, Hawkins already sounded pumped for the Sept. 1 battle against Colorado State at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“All first games are important, for a lot of reasons,” Hawkins said. “Statistically, if you win your first game, about 70 percent of the time you’re going to have a winning season.”
Hawkins said the school’s sports information department ran the numbers for CU throughout its football history.
“I believe it’s 82 percent that the Buffs have had a winning season if they win that first game,” Hawkins said. “That in and of itself is always critical.”
Last year didn’t help the percentage. In Hawkins first game in Colorado, the Buffs were upset at home 19-10 by Montana State, a Division I-AA school that fell the following Chadron (Neb.) State, a D-II program.
The Buffs finished 2-10.
“As we try to live within our philosophy to start fast and get going early, that’s a critical component to (winning the opener),” Hawkins said.
“You obviously have your in-state rival, that adds a huge component to it. And you also have a (CU) team that didn’t win a lot of games last year, so you’re trying to establish yourself that way.
“There’s many factors that put a huge importance on that huge game.”
Staff Writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
