BOULDER — Colorado’s defense held up as the final seconds ticked off, stopping Iowa State to claim a 28-24 victory today at Folsom Field in front of a home crowd of 46,440.
Inches from the goal line and with 4 seconds on the clock, the Cyclone ran the option but running back Alexander Robinson was met by CU safety Daniel Dykes and cornerback Jimmy Smith near the 3-yard line to end the game.
Colorado (5-5, 2-4 Big 12) keeps its bowl hopes after rallying from a 10-0 deficit at halftime as Cody Hawkins started the second half and threw four touchdowns. The Buffs took the lead for good with 1:30 to play when they went 81 yards in 3 minutes, capped by Hawkins’ 5-yard pass to Cody Crawford.
Hawkins said the pressure was a welcomed feeling.
“I was really relaxed and confident. I went in there knowing that the team needs me right now, so let’s make something happen,” said Hawkins, who was 20-of-29 passing for 226 yards and no interceptions. “I went out with some confidence and had a lot of fun.”
Freshman Tyler Hansen started the game but in the first half was 4-of-12 passing for 48 yards and one interception and had 48 yards rushing on nine carries.
“A couple of weeks ago I was the spark, today is was Cody,” Hansen said.
Hawkins led the Buffaloes to their first points on a 63-yard drive ending with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Scotty McKnight, but the extra point was blocked.
“The plan was to go with Tyler and we had a lot of running-type plays in the game plan,” offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. “We weren’t executing very well in the first half and the pass protection was good. Cody is a smart guy and we had a lot of guys make plays.”
Hawkins then hooked up with a wide-open McKnight on a 22-yard touchdown to put the Buffaloes up 13-10.
But after the Cyclones scored twice and took a 24-13 lead with 9:14 to play on Robinson’s 1-yard run, CU answered. Hawkins engineered an 80-yard drive connecting with Crawford, Patrick Williams and Demetrius Sumler for passes all more than 16 yards. Williams caught a 14-yard touchdown and Colorado tacked on the 2-point conversion to pull within 24-21.
“We’re doing what you’re supposed to do, and we just have to hang with it,” coach Dan Hawkins said. “When you have those breakthrough moments, they help you. It’s beating Oklahoma. It’s beating West Virginia.
“In a situation like this, where it seems like the ball is rolling downhill, and you have enough character to put your back up against it and stop that momentum and shove it back up the hill.”
