BOULDER — Colorado’s offense outperformed the defense Saturday, which pleased half of CU’s coaching staff and a special visitor to Folsom Field.
Incoming freshman tailback Darrell Scott said the sun-splashed afternoon couldn’t have been more fun — unless he had gotten some carries. A sturdy 6-feet-2 and 215 pounds, Scott rushed for 2,433 yards and 33 touchdowns last fall as a senior at Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure and was rated the nation’s top running back prospect by most recruiting services.
“Honestly, I just wanted to get a jersey, put on shoulder pads and get out there,” Scott said with a grin. “I’m really excited. The offense was fast-paced. They played well.”
As much as Scott could tell, anyway. Although he was seated just a few rows up and near midfield, Scott said he only saw his uncle, CU sophomore-to-be receiver Josh Smith, make two plays in the Black squad’s 28-17 victory over the Gold. Scott spent most of the afternoon signing autographs and posing for photos.
“I took off my shirt at one point, but fans still recognized me,” Scott said. “But I love it.”
Scott plans to report for summer classes June 14. Because of NCAA rules regarding recruits and non-enrolled signees, CU coach Dan Hawkins was reluctant to mention Scott by name. But Hawkins did admit to daydreaming a bit.
“You think big and think about getting a guy in here that can add to this and fortify what we’ve got going on,” Hawkins said. “You definitely think about those things.”
This and that.
The crowd of 17,800 set a CU spring game record. . . . While insisting it is premature to say Hawkins has agreed in principle to a contract extension, CU athletic director Mike Bohn confirmed Saturday that they have engaged in contract discussions. “I’m optimistic that we’ll have something pulled together and wrapped up before the start of the fiscal year (July 1),” Bohn said. Hawkins is beginning the third year of his initial five-year contract worth about $900,000 annually, plus incentives. . . . No injuries were reported Saturday. . . . Two punts were blocked and returned for touchdowns. But special teams coach Kent Riddle was not upset. “We had the third-team punting team in there to see if we could get some blocks,” he said.
Footnotes.
Against the injury-depleted defense, Cody Hawkins completed 15-of-22 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns for the Black in the new hurry-up, no-huddle offense. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said Hawkins solidified his spot atop the depth chart. Backup QBs Nick Nelson (Black) and Matt Ballenger (Gold) each threw for a touchdown. There were no interceptions. . . . Sophomore Demetrius Sumler led rushers with 43 yards on 11 carries. . . . Saturday’s game marked the debut of CU’s newest live mascot buffalo, Ralphie V. Just 18 months old, she weighs about 750 pounds (expected growth to 1,300) and was almost too fast for the handlers, at one point slipping out of her harness. . . . Dan Hawkins plans to “paddle down the Amazon” in July during a family vacation.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
