BOULDER — If Brian Cabral ever wants to try another profession, the University of Colorado interim coach might consider corporate motivational speaking. Judging by the response of his football team during the past two weeks, it appears Cabral could probably get a group of salesmen on the same page and raring to go in, say, 20 minutes.
Short but raucous meetings conducted by Cabral in the team auditorium prior to games have certainly fired up the Buffaloes, who are 2-for-2 since he took over for fired coach Dan Hawkins.
Colorado (5-6, 2-5 Big 12) must win the regular-season Friday finale at No. 16 Nebraska (9-2, 5-2) to become bowl-eligible, a tall order. But at least CU players will carry some momentum and confidence into Lincoln. That appeared impossible on Nov. 6 after the infamous fourth-quarter meltdown at Kansas left the Buffs spiraling on a five-game losing streak.
Those pregame team meetings, a Colorado tradition before the Hawkins era, include a drum, various chants and who knows what else.
“Everybody goes to the auditorium and focuses up; it’s like an ultimate team-bonding moment,” CU junior wide receiver Toney Clemons said Saturday after the 44-36 victory over Kansas State at Folsom Field. “(Before) everybody used to do their own thing to get ready.”
Team morale “has been through the roof,” junior offensive guard Ryan Miller added. “It’s the ‘one heartbeat, heart of a warrior.’ We’ve really embraced it.”
Cabral’s message seems to have touched every segment, every facet of the team.
• Colorado averaged 20.8 points during the five-game losing streak and 39.0 points in two games under Cabral’s watch.
• CU quarterbacks averaged 1.4 touchdown passes during the losing streak. Cody Hawkins became the first CU quarterback in history to throw for three TDs in three straight games, the past two under Cabral.
• Junior tailback Rodney Stewart rushed for 102 yards per game during the losing streak but has netted 123 and 195 yards the past two weeks. Stewart now ranks second in the Big 12 and 13th nationally in rushing with 111.82 yards per game.
• CU’s defense averaged one sack per game during the losing streak. It recorded eight against Iowa State and dropped KSU quarterbacks six times.
• Place-kicker Aric Goodman has made 3-of-4 field goals under Cabral, and on Saturday struggling punter Zach Grossnickle executed perhaps his best boot of the season in the clutch — a 44-yard spiral that backed up the Wildcats on their own 5 with 3:01 remaining.
Miller was asked Saturday why Colorado did not go into the tank after losing its head coach — as a lot of teams, perhaps most, might do.
“We’re not like a lot of teams,” Miller said. “We’re Colorado.”
Cabral, no doubt, would applaud.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
