BOULDER — The Texas defense is not just fast and physical. It’s tricky, too.
“They do a great job of mixing things up,” Colorado sophomore quarterback Cody Hawkins said Wednesday. “They mix up different fronts and different blitzes. They’re athletic like Florida State. But schematically, Texas does way more stuff than Florida State.”
The fifth-ranked Longhorns are first nationally in sacks (four per game), second in rushing defense, sixth in scoring defense and 26th in total defense. CU’s Matt Bahr, who will be making his first career start Saturday against Texas as a replacement for offensive tackle Ryan Miller (out for the rest of the season because of a fractured fibula), said the Longhorns have shown several blitz looks.
“That’s something we haven’t seen yet,” said Bahr, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound redshirt freshman. “That means we will have to prepare for a larger package. We have to be ready. But I really think we have a chance against those guys.”
Off-target.
Although Hawkins threw three touchdown passes in last weekend’s 39-21 loss to Florida State, he failed to complete 50 percent of his passes (17-of-36) for only the fourth time in 17 starts and first time this season.
“One game does not a career make,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said of his son. “He’s not going to be the last quarterback to have a tough day. That’s part of life. When you’re the quarterback and you’re the head coach, you always take the brunt of the criticism. I think he’s got that well in perspective.
“You’re not just going to keep climbing the ladder every week out. There’s going to be bumps in the road.”
Big recruiting weekend.
More than a dozen high school seniors targeted by CU are expected to be at the game. They include three players rated four stars by : wide receiver Emory Blake (6-1, 194) of Austin (Texas) Stephen F. Austin, defensive tackle Edward Nuckols (6-2, 290) of San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills and receiver- safety Kyle Van Noy (6-3, 200) of Reno (Nev.) McQueen.
Footnotes.
Saturday’s game is sold out — the first sellout at Folsom Field since the 2005 game against Nebraska, a 30-3 loss to the Cornhuskers. Seating capacity for Folsom Field is listed as 53,750. . . . CU junior defensive end Jason Brace is doubtful with the effects of a concussion. He missed the FSU game. . . . Texas junior defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, a 2005 Parade All-American for Doherty High School in Colorado Springs as a linebacker, is telling teammates that he needs about 20 tickets for family and friends.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
