SHREVEPORT, La. — During the final news conference before tonight’s Independence Bowl, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said this 6-6 season has been “my favorite year” in coaching.
Considering that Hawkins won 11 or more games three times at Boise State with a best of 13-1 in 2003, that’s saying something.
“These guys have been very, very special to me, with all the things they’ve been through and obviously the pain of last year (2-10),” Hawkins said Saturday. “They continued to have vision and did the kinds of things that you’d want your sons to do.
“Their leadership has been great. I spoke about Jordon (Dizon) at our banquet and I barely made it through. I basically bawled the whole time.”
Watch the flanks.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said one of the things that has impressed him most about Colorado’s offense is it creates mismatches to get opponents “outflanked,” so the Buffaloes can get to the corners via the run or the pass.
Regarding CU’s defense, Saban said reading the multiple formations used by the Buffaloes on third down is a concern.
Bowl gifts.
Players on each team received an Independence Bowl watch, a souvenir baseball cap, a commemorative football and a Sony Bravia home theater/DVD system.
Tackling machine.
CU offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus on linebacker Dizon, a fellow senior and the Butkus Award runner-up: “I think Jordon has made every tackle our team has ever made. I don’t know how he does it. The kid is freaky.”
