Boulder – After watching a 2 1/2-hour scrimmage Saturday “that showed some flashes, (but was) a little sloppy at times,” Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said the time has come to gear up for the Sept. 1 season opener against Colorado State by naming a starting quarterback.
Hawkins said he intends to have that decision made by today’s practices. Redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins, the coach’s son, entered the scrimmage with a lead over junior-college transfer Nick Nelson, according to coaches. Hawkins’ performance Saturday, though more solid than spectacular, did not appear to jeopardize his standing.
Hawkins threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyson DeVree and directed the offense to two other touchdowns and two field goals.
“Yeah, I think we need to do something to kind of push forward here, to get some continuity,” Dan Hawkins said, when asked if the decision would be made by today. “We need to start getting the right personnel in for the right plays. We need to get in the groove you want to be in for the game.”
Although there had been some speculation that the final scrimmage Friday might serve as a final audition, CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said naming a starting quarterback two weeks before the opener had been the plan all along.
Cody Hawkins and Nelson said they will accept the decision whichever way it goes.
“It’s going to be an exciting decision,” Cody Hawkins said. “Whichever guy they go with, the Buffs are going to be in great shape. I think we can both run the team efficiently.”
Said Nelson: “All I can do is come out here and do my best. I’ve worked hard. Whatever happens, happens.”
Helfrich said Nelson might have played his best football of fall camp on Saturday. Nelson tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nate Solder and, like Hawkins, he guided the offense to two other TDs and two field goals.
Individual statistics from the scrimmage were not released.
“We’re absolutely, 100 percent going to need both guys,” Helfrich said.
Footnotes
Another big day for the offense (759 yards on 130 plays) was aided by a lack of depth along the defensive line because of the absence of defensive tackle George Hypolite, defensive end Maurice Lucas and others who are nursing injuries not deemed serious. … All Colorado practice sessions and scrimmages are now closed to the public. … As of Friday afternoon, CU reported that almost 6,000 tickets (including 800 student tickets) remained for the opener against CSU at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sept. 1. Tickets ($60.50) may be purchased by calling 303-49-BUFFS or visiting . … Attendance for the scrimmage was estimated at 4,800 by the school.
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
