BOULDER — Saying his offense is “not far away” from hitting its stride, Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins pointed to an improvement in turnover margin as a focus for the remainder of the season.
With 21 giveaways against just 12 takeaways, Colorado is tied with fellow Big 12 Conference members Baylor and Nebraska for 106th place among 119 major-college football programs in turnover margin (minus-1.12 per game).
“Where we are not good is in interceptions lost (14) and interceptions gained (six),” Hawkins said Tuesday during his weekly media luncheon.
“We just have to continue to work on that. Through a process of getting better and getting a little bit of experience and guys having a little bit more savvy, you try to snap that.”
Cody Hawkins’ 14 interceptions lead the Big 12.
“I definitely have to pick things up and start playing (better),” Cody said Tuesday.
The Colorado defense could do its part by recovering more fumbles and intercepting more passes. CU’s six picks is tied for last among Big 12 defenses.
Getting some interceptions could be crucial Saturday against pass-happy Texas Tech (6-2, 2-2 Big 12). Red Raiders quarterback Graham Harrell leads the nation in total offense (434.8 yards per game) and touchdown passes (32).
“If they’re throwing 60-plus times, we’ve got to get at least two, maybe three interceptions,” CU safety Ryan Walters said. “That’s going to be the emphasis in practice this week – getting our hands on the ball.”
How does a defensive player practice interceptions?
“A lot of it is getting tips from film study and seeing where (Harrell) is probably going to go with the ball in different situations,” Walters said.
Old trick. When asked about the fake-fumble trick play that went for a touchdown pass to Tyson DeVree against Kansas, Dan Hawkins said he first used that play against Hawaii when he coached at Boise State.
Hawkins noticed that Hawaii’s safeties set up close to the line of scrimmage for plays deep in their territory. When Hawkins saw KU’s safeties do the same thing, “I’m kind of going, ‘OK, reload it. It’s ready.’
“If you hit it, you look good. If you don’t, you look like an idiot.”‘
Footnotes. CU sophomore fullback Jake Behrens, who has drawn extensive playing time the past two weeks, injured an ankle Sunday during conditioning drills and is listed as questionable for Saturday. … Dan Hawkins’ prediction for the World Series: A four-game sweep by the Rockies. “How could you not (pick that)? They’ve been sweeping the last month.” … Kickoff for the Nov. 3 home game against Missouri has been set for 4:30 p.m. to accommodate a national telecast by FSN.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
