While criticism of Colorado’s Dan Hawkins appears to be growing, behind closed doors, the players are in full support of their head coach, junior wide receiver Scotty McKnight said late Friday night following the Buffaloes’ 54-38 loss at Toledo.
Colorado, which talked about aiming for 10 victories, has begun a season 0-2 for the third time this decade, joining teams in 2000 (3-8 final record) and 2006 (2-10).
McKnight said this team has the talent to win, and better times are ahead. Colorado hosts Wyoming on Saturday.
“Everyone on the team believes in Coach Hawk and what he’s trying to accomplish,” said McKnight, who tied a school single-game record with 11 receptions. “He has set big goals for us. And we as players did not take care of the details.
“We have to go back and take care of business, and we have full faith in Coach Hawk and his coaching staff,” McKnight added. “They show us respect. We love them back. We’re going to get this thing done. We’re going to get it turned around. We will.”
Bohn also voices support.
Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn said after the game he “absolutely, absolutely” stands by Dan Hawkins despite the disastrous start to the season that “has all of us hurting.”
“It’s a matter of us continuing to work hard,” Bohn said. “We’re all disappointed, and we’re all frustrated. The good news is, we’re coming home (against Wyoming) and Folsom Field has been good to us. The environment is always good. We have to take one game at a time and continue to play. The kids won’t quit. I know we’ve got a great group of guys that will continue to fight.”
Cody makes plane trip.
CU quarterback Cody Hawkins flew back on the team charter, school officials confirmed Saturday. After the game, there had been some discussion that Hawkins might not be cleared for the trip.
While lunging for the goal line, Hawkins took a helmet-to-helmet blow as he scored the Buffs’ final touchdown on a 12-yard run.
No announcement was made regarding Hawkins’ availability for the next game.
Oh, that defense (or lack thereof).
Colorado defensive coaches worked last week on correcting mistakes that lead to “explosion plays.” Whatever the coaches said didn’t work.
On Friday night, CU yielded 624 yards to a Mid-American Conference team picked by preseason college football magazines to finish no better than the middle of the pack in the MAC’s West Division. The Buffs allowed 11 plays of 20 or more yards, including four over 40 (three went for 60-plus). In the opener, Colorado State had four plays of 40-plus yards.
“It’s technique football,” senior cornerback Ben Burney said. “It’s a gap. It’s wherever your eyes are. It’s getting down to the little details of things. We definitely have the talent to be a good defense. We have to realize that we have another week to correct our mistakes and be who we think we are.”
Great Scott.
After drawing just one carry during the season opener against Colorado State, sophomore tailback Darrell Scott led CU rushers Friday night with 85 yards on 12 carries (7.1). Also, Scott set or tied school records with 204 yards on eight kickoff returns.
“Darrell did a nice job,” Dan Hawkins said. “He’s a rhythm runner. Once he got some rhythm . . . he started feeling some confidence going.”
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
