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Bits and pieces

Posted February 12, 2008

Buffs bits and pieces in the aftermath of national signing day:

What’s becoming more and more apparent every day is that Dan Hawkins is a guy that does his homework. Hawkins opened his signing day press conference NOT by talking about his team and his class, but by mentioning the great strides made by the University of Colorado around campus. From the biotech advancements to continued excellence in aerospace engineering at CU, Hawk is well-aware of what kind of university he represents, and he’s not shy about mentioning those aspects of CU. ...

A belated congrats to linebackers coach Brian Cabral for his promotion. Nobody -- nobody -- is a better representative of CU football than Cabral. An outstanding coach and a better man, Cabral has a positive influence on just about every player he comes in contact with. Someday, someone will be smart enough to hire Cabral as their head coach (hello Northern Colorado — how’s that Nebraska connection working out for you?). Until then, CU fans should be overjoyed that Cabral is in Boulder. ...

Want to know what might have been the clinching argument presented by Darian Hagan to Darrell Scott? “I told him he could be me,” Hagan said. “I told him how Coach (Bill) McCartney recruited me in that class. Coach Mac told me that we were just a few players away from playing for a championship.

“I told Darrell that he could be the guy that would help take this program back to national prominence. I think he liked that kind of challenge.” ...

As for the alleged “cold weather” issue faced by Boulder, Hagan told Scott, “What are you going to do if you get drafted by Green Bay? Turn them away? I told him he might as well get used to it now.” ...

Speaking of great players -- if you haven’t taken the time to watch Richard Roby play hoops, do yourself a favor and catch him in one of CU’s final three home game. Roby is blossoming under the tutelage of Jeff Bzdelik. One can only wonder how good Roby might have been had he had the benefit of learning the ropes from Bzdelik for three or four years instead of just one. ...



Count me among the folks who will be interested to watch the battle between Scott and Ray Polk in the future. Fans who remember CU’s running back corps under McCartney — when the roster included names like Flannigan, Bieniemy, Pritchard and Hemingway all in the same season — know there’s always room for more than one great running back. ...

One place still lacking? The Buffs still need some help on the D-line. One of the most underrated players in CU history is nose tackle Joel Steed, a mainstay of the 1989 and ‘90 defenses. Steed is the guy who clogged up the middle and made it possible for players such as Alfred Williams and Kanavis McGee to rack up the stats. It would be great to see Hawk uncover another Steed. ...

And finally, tickets for the 2008 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, go on sale Friday, February 15, at 10 a.m. (Central). Tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (800) 676-5488 or (816) 931-3330 in Kansas City, via the internet at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Arrowhead Stadium ticket office. Tickets will not be sold through the Big 12 Conference office. Tickets are priced at $85, $75, $65 and $55 each based upon location, plus applicable convenience and handling fee charges.