BOULDER — Linebacker B.J. Beatty’s mother strung together Hawaiian leis at her home in Oahu and then brought them for each of the 16 Colorado seniors honored Saturday before the their final game at Folsom Field. For a second there, Beatty probably wished she had also included some tissues.
Beatty said the emotions got the best of him when, just a few steps away, junior defensive end Josh Hartigan sacked Kansas State quarterback Carson Coffman on fourth down with 1:01 remaining in the game to seal a 44-36 Buffaloes victory.
“I just about lost it,” Beatty said afterward. “The fans were amazing. I teared up. I almost . . . ah, yeah, I broke down. It was out of joy, knowing I walked away from this place a winner.”
With back-to-back victories under interim coach Brian Cabral, Colorado (5-6, 2-5 Big 12) will go into Friday’s game at Nebraska with an opportunity to become bowl-eligible.
Before these past two games, talk of a bowl game almost sounded laughable. Other teams might have quit. Not this one.
“This team bled themselves out for each other; that’s what’s awesome for me,” Beatty said. “This team played for one another. Walking off Folsom knowing I left it all on the line, that we left as winners, that was the most awesome feeling ever.”
Recently fired CU coach Dan Hawkins joined family members on the field for senior day activities with his son, quarterback Cody Hawkins. Most of the 16 seniors went over and hugged their former coach. Hawkins has been hired by ESPN for temporary assignments, beginning Tuesday on the network’s “The Experts” (11 a.m.).
Among several old Colorado traditions reintroduced to the team by Cabral, the squad met for the second straight week in the Dal Ward Center auditorium north of the stadium before the game. In no surprise, the pep talk this time had one overriding theme: Have the seniors go out winners.
“To make that happen means everything to us,” junior utility back Matt Bahr said. “Guys like Nate (Solder) and Scotty (McKnight) and Cody, they have just given everything to this program.
“The seniors were down there sitting in front during the meeting (in the auditorium). We are all looking at them as our leaders.”
After the game, Cody Hawkins was awarded the Buffalo Heart Award, which is presented by fans seated behind the CU bench. The award goes to the senior player who, from observations by fans, best exemplifies heart, courage, grit, determination and desire.
“It means a lot, because I think there are a lot of fans out there who haven’t liked my family too much over the last couple of years,” Cody told reporters. “It’s nice to know you have the respect of the fans, because they’re out here every Saturday.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
