Boulder – Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins isn’t shy about saying what he wants to see today from the offense in the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp. If that puts more pressure on starting quarterback candidates Cody Hawkins and Nick Nelson, so be it.
The offense needs to start showing something, Dan Hawkins said Saturday. Today’s scrimmage, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at Folsom Field, is open to the public.
“I’m not used to going through a bunch of scrimmages … without scoring a bunch of touchdowns,” Hawkins said. “I would love to see us get some big plays (in today’s scrimmage), and I would love to see them score.
“Defense wins championships. But doggone it, let’s score some points.”
Last fall, Hawkins’ first in Boulder, CU ranked last among Big 12 Conference teams in scoring (16.3 points per game), pass offense (118.5 yards) and total offense (291.4 yards).
New at the controls this season will be either Nelson, a junior college transfer, or Cody Hawkins, a redshirt freshman and the coach’s son.
Both look forward to showing what they’ve got today during a game-like format.
“I’m ready for it,” Nelson said. “It gives me a chance to prove myself.”
In many respects, the scrimmage will simulate a game situation. Referees will be used. Coaches will be on the sidelines. Players will be awakened early for a pregame meal. Offenses will be allowed more latitude.
“Scrimmages are definitely more fun,” Cody Hawkins said. “You can mix things up a little bit, try some things you wouldn’t do in a regular practice.”
– Tom Kensler
