AMES, IOWA — Dan Hawkins ranks among the nation’s biggest risk-takers when it comes to going for it on fourth down. The Colorado coach no doubt would like to have at least one of his gambles back Saturday after losing 31-28 to Iowa State.
Colorado led 21-0 early in the third quarter when a failed fourth-down conversion dramatically reversed the momentum. Hawkins declined to punt on fourth-and-1 from the Buffaloes’ 43-yard line. After the Cyclones’ defense stopped Demetrius Sumler for no gain on a run off right tackle, a crowd of 45,487 watched Iowa State race 43 yards in three plays for its first score.
By the end of the third quarter, Iowa State (3-8, 2-5 Big 12) had tied the score at 21. Ultimately, the Cyclones tallied 31 straight points in a game with a bizarre finish.
Game officials made decisions that nullified two apparent field goals by CU’s Kevin Eberhart with the scoreboard showing 1 second remaining. The first play was explained as a delay-of-game penalty because the ball had been snapped prior to an official placing it for play to begin.
In quotes provided by the Iowa State sports information department, referee Clete Blakeman explained the lone second then expired before CU snapped the ball for the second kick. Both Eberhart attempts, which were with a 20-mph wind at his back, sailed through the uprights, the second from 55 yards.
“I don’t know if I have an explanation,” Hawkins said of the calls, adding he did not talk to the officials.
The loss leaves Colorado (5-6, 3-4 Big 12) needing a win Nov. 23 over Nebraska at Folsom Field to become bowl eligible. The Huskers (5-6, 2-5) also could become bowl eligible that day and will be coming off their most impressive win of the season, a 73-31 crushing of Kansas State on Saturday in Lincoln.
“It’s sudden death. That’s the way I like it,” CU junior defensive tackle George Hypolite said. “The Big Red is coming to Folsom Field. Last time they did that, they embarrassed us (30-3 in 2005). That has been sticking with me for two years.”
Colorado appeared on its way to become bowl eligible Saturday after a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cody Hawkins to tight end Riar Geer earned a 21-0 lead with 25 seconds remaining before halftime. Iowa State had shown little life on offense to that point. The Cyclones managed just 106 yards and six first downs during the first 30 minutes.
But the Cyclones, with 19 seniors playing in their final home game, appeared to get fired up when ISU took over on downs after the failed conversion attempt early in the third quarter.
“We came out flat in the first half,” Iowa State cornerback Allen Bell said. “Coach (Gene) Chizik gave us a little halftime speech, kind of riled everybody up, and we just came out ready.”
Two of the ISU seniors making their final appearance in Jack Trice Stadium, quarterback Bret Meyer and wide receiver Todd Blythe, hooked up for touchdown passes of 12 and 55 yards in the third-quarter blitz. Both are four-year starters and graduates of Iowa high schools.
“I was just happy for our team to go out with a win,” Blythe said of the home finale.
Always explaining his penchant for fourth-down conversions by saying he “plays to win,” Dan Hawkins called three more Saturday. The Buffs were successful twice, making it 13-of-26 for the season.
But the failed fourth-down try Saturday turned the game. Iowa State players and the crowd seemed to feed off it.
“It was pretty big; it changed the game obviously,” CU safety Daniel Dykes said.
Hawkins said he’s not one to play it safe. Even, apparently, with a 21-0 lead.
“We had a good play (called) and it’s woulda, coulda, shoulda,” Hawkins said of the pivotal fourth-down gamble. “The players are stunned. We all are.
“You can play it safe and never put yourself in a position to fail. Or you can decide to jump right in with both feet. … You can stand outside with a pretty happy, average life and not have any pain. But (taking risks) is part of living.”
Colorado coaches and players said they couldn’t explain the officials’ calls that wiped out two would-be field goals and prevented the Buffs from sending the game into overtime.
“But the game shouldn’t have come down to the last play,” Hypolite said. “We had plenty of opportunities to win.”
Too soon, too late
A look at the Buffs’ wild final second of the 31-28 loss in Ames:
Final drive: With no timeouts, Buffs start final drive at their 28-yard line with 46 seconds to play and drive to the ISU 33 with 11 seconds to play after Tyson DeVree’s 1-yard catch.
First field-goal attempt: Kevin Eberhart hits 50-yard field goal, but Buffs are called for delay of game for snapping the ball “prior to the referee’s (being) ready for placing,” referee Clete Blakeman said.
Second field-goal attempt: Eberhart then makes a 55-yarder, but officials rule CU did not snap the ball before the time expired. Said Blakeman: ” The whistle was blown (to start play), and Colorado did not get the snap off prior to the clock expiring.”
The Grades | By Tom Kensler
OFFENSE
C: The Buffaloes outgained Iowa State by 419 yards to 351. But Colorado aided the Cyclones’ third-quarter spurt by failing to get a single first down on four consecutive possessions.
DEFENSE
C: A tale of two halves. Without two starters in the secondary, the Buffs held Iowa State scoreless during the first 30 minutes but gave up 31 straight points in the second half.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C: Just Kevin Eberhart’s luck. He missed a 44-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter that would have tied the game. Then he had two 3-pointers nullified at the end of the game.
OVERALL
C: Statistically, it was a decent road effort. But blowing a three-touchdown lead and losing for the fourth time in five games is what CU will remember most.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
