Plenty of Colorado football fans are angry with coach Dan Hawkins today because of his stubborn refusal to take the easy way out and kick a field goal Saturday night in Columbia, Mo., to avoid the embarrassment of a shutout.
Hawkins chose instead to try to score touchdowns. He defended the decision by saying a field goal would have been pointless when his team was down by 34 and 58 points respectively in the two instances in which he could have kicked one.
“You’re not going to go, ‘Hey, good for us. We didn’t get shutout,'” Hawkins said. “I mean, nobody is ever going to do that.”
The Buffs had gone 242 consecutive games without being blanked, but the reality is the streak was filled with plenty of blowout losses in which the Buffs were fortunate to have scored.
It’s also true that the scoring streak was not an offensive streak at all. The CU offense has been shutout several times in the past 20 years, and it has come close to going scoreless myriad times.
The Buffs only points in a 29-7 loss to Oklahoma in the 2002 Big 12 championship game came from Jeremy Bloom’s 80-yard punt return for a touchdown. Earlier that season, the Buffs lost at home to Southern Cal 40-3, with the only points of the day coming from place-kicker Pat Brougham after USC fumbled a punt deep in its territory.
The CU offense was shutout in Folsom Field in 2004 against Texas, but former cornerback Terrence Wheatley intercepted a pass from Vince Young and returned it 37 yards for a score in a 31-7 defeat.
Minor miracles on the field and questionable coaching decisions from the opposite sideline played big parts in the Buffs’ streak lasting as long as it did. The Buffs hadn’t been shut out since Nov. 12, 1988 at Nebraska prior to Saturday. It was the ninth longest scoring streak in major college history and the longest in Big 12 history.
There were 16 different times throughout the 20-year run without a shutout that only one Buff scored in a game. Many of those scores proved to be hollow, moral victories — just the sort of scores Hawkins turned up his nose to Saturday.
Trailing 34-0 in the third quarter in Faurot Field, Hawkins could have allowed place-kicker Aric Goodman to trot on the field on fourth down at the Tigers’ 17-yard line and kick a field goal.
He held his players to a higher standard instead. He did the same thing in the final seconds of the game when the Buffs had again driven deep into Missouri territory.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel commended Hawkins for having the will power not to kick the field goal. Pinkel questioned whether he would have had the guts to make the same decision if he was in Hawkins’ shoes.
Defensive end Stryker Sulak and other Tigers also appreciated Hawkins’ determination to accept nothing less than a touchdown.
Colorado has many offensive problems this season that contributed to the end of the streak. A porous offensive line, lack of speed, inexperience in the backfield, ineffective play from a sophomore quarterback and the addition of a true freshman at quarterback are the primary causes.
Hawkins explained the offensive woes this way Saturday night just outside a gloomy CU locker room.
“Everything always starts up front,” Hawkins said. “It starts with a running game and being able to run it and being able to protect, getting guys making throws and catching. It’s all those things.”
methinks this article reads like Kyle agrees with Hawk.
Me too, good for you Ringo!
SnowBuff
10/26/2008 11:57:40 PM
“Nobody is going to do that” automatically alienates those who do believe there is a psychological difference between getting bageled and actually having any potency to score a few points. I agree it is not a move to win a game, but come on, did coach really think they ever had a chance in this game after the opening qyarter ? Trying to score a touchdown when you are down 35 points is just as rediculous- if not more- than a field goal to avoid the bagel. Coach Hawk needs a good massage and some down time, little bit stressed there bud.
Peace.
CalAlum2000
10/27/2008 12:38:38 AM
Stubborn refusal? How about Hawkins refusing to let the boys give up and light a fire under some a****!
And Hawk, it doesn’t start up front with the O-line. It starts with the head coach. Period. Here’s hoping to CU growing a pair in the near future.
IowaBuffFan
10/27/2008 12:58:36 AM
This team will get better. Kicking 2 field goals is meaningless. It’s not like Crosby is on the team and kicking bombs in the Orange Bowl or against UT in big 12 championship game. Was at the 31-7 UT game and CU did zero on offense.
As for Saturday. If any of you read the KC newspapers you could have seen this coming. Missouri will roll everybody until they see a big 12 south team again and then get abused.
CU is in a better situation than WSU, Syracuse, Auburn, Washington, Arkansas, or Michigan right now. Both Pinkle and Mangino were on the hot seat after 4 years at KU and Missouri. They came up big last year. CU did not deserve their last 2 north titles. Thanks to Missouri choking.
Winnable games with A&M and Iowa State. Loss to OK St and Nebraska is not much better than CU. Sorry NU fans no quality wins yet and a brutal showing against Va Tech. They are getting better though
mulder1010
10/27/2008 1:04:29 AM
mulder1010,
Brutal showing against VT? A 5 point loss? Hmm?
A game that NU was in late and had chance to win, brutal showing?
Regardless, I mean, My god!! VT was NU’s 3rd game with Pelini and company. Takes time to gell.
TT effort and play is more akin to sort of effort and game plan that can be expected.
Typical buff fan. Minimize and discount anything positive that NU might do.
Sort of like what some of your buffie fan cohorts, namely vkberlinn, vegabufffan, buffinne and sfool have been saying for weeks regarding ISU and BU.
All said ISU and BU were licking chops to play NU and that they both were going to beat NU. So, what happened?
Now, that it didn’t happen those same guys can only say ISU and BU are just “lousy” and “terrible” teams.
Typical ScuM fans!
I bet these guys were some of same ScuM fans that got kicked out of own stadium in sections because NU was kicking the buffies in 05.
Never in my life have I seen more tacky, distasteful, abhorrent, and immature fan behavior than in Boulder, Co
luvdaskers
10/27/2008 2:36:58 AM
why don’t you go post on the lincoln farm-journal instead you jack-arse!
ilikeseeyou
10/27/2008 3:01:13 AM
Two points.
1. I agree with Hawk. A FG would have been meaningless and artificial. You don’t do that just to keep a streak alive when you’re getting killed.
2. Who cares about the Huskers? Seriously. If I wanted to talk about the Huskers, I’d go to their board. Talk about their games against BU and ISU don’t really belong here. We got our butt kicked by Mizzou. We need to play better. PERIOD. It had nothing to do with NU.
bzainthemd
10/27/2008 4:39:18 AM
We need a win this weekend. Bad.
Ralphie2
10/27/2008 6:04:10 AM
BZ Buffalo crap. That field goal was important
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 6:23:52 AM
ahh 236 am an creamer is back working the deadhead shift at the granary.
…Minimize and discount anything positive that NU might do….
Creamers are a minimization, with so little positive ions it is a natural state of the universe.
…Never in my life have I seen more tacky, distasteful, abhorrent, and immature fan behavior than in Boulder, Co…
Exactly why we have quotas and strict requirements as to how many creamers we let into Boulder, as we do not tolerate that type of behavior.
It is apparent you are a cream girl and did not get past the sophomore season.
The Big lie is known world wide as “go big red”
It is go big cream yelled by creamers with the scarlet N for nowledge on their shirts.
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 6:31:46 AM
The Head Coach has thrown the o-line under the bus.
Pitiful.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 6:35:51 AM
good morning nep.
I agree with you on that one. But you still are a weed.
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 6:39:50 AM
The Buffs need a Singletary as coach!
1. Come out and hit them in the mouth!
2. This is not a charity, don’t give the game away.
3. Play for each other
The part that bugs me the most is #1. Where is the fire!!!!!!!!!!!
RalphieWyoWyo
10/27/2008 7:00:21 AM
Hansen isn’t ready to play, his 1 yard per carry showed no one else is going to be “suprised” by him playing.
Where’s Ballenger?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 7:15:09 AM
No, the O-Line needs to be challenged at this point. They are Division 1 athletes and should be playing better. Nate Solder looked like a Tight End out there, unfortunately he was actually playing Left Tackle. We need to come together and get a win this Saturday.
CaliBuff
10/27/2008 7:26:21 AM
I agree. It is time for some Singletary style coaching. Put Rick’s guitar away Hawk, it is time to crack some skulls!
And this article is garbabge….Kyle has become Hawk’s little helper in the media.
And everyone quit justifying losing! Well they are better than us…well they just lost two games…a bunch of momma’s boys.
What’s up Hawk? Are the kids in Boise more grounded than they are in Boulder…it just doesn’t seem like the players are responding. Even when the line was healthy this team was barely winning (against CSU, EWA, WVU)…and this is year 3.
And to you players, remember this loss…all the losses from this year. When you start strolling through campus like you’re the BMOC, remember that “swagger” is poison. Remember how much better those other teams were and how they mopped the field up with you.
BlackAndGold
10/27/2008 7:32:05 AM
Not only does Hawkins throw the O-line under the bus but he says “it starts with a running game.” Buff fans have been saying the same thing all year. Hawkins has a couple of pretty good running backs but he doesn’t know how to use them.
Also, if their are any real journalists out there they have to get an interview with Ballenger (and Nelson too). I wonder what they are thinking?
WhosYourDaddy
10/27/2008 7:35:50 AM
If a field goal would be meaningless (and I would argue that in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, when you are already down 34-0, nothing positive is meaningless), why not get Goodman in the game? What better opportunity to get your kicker’s head going in a positive direction than to give him some positive karma.
If Goodman misses the kick, nothing changes. If he makes it, he may have some confidence for the next one (and I am presuming the Buffs will have at least one more field goal opportunity in the next four games).
Besides, what is Dave Plati going to do with those two extra pages in the weekly media release now that the scoring streak is over?
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
montanabuff@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 7:38:10 AM
“Take the easy way out and kick” uhhhh???? Gold shoes or not – with Goodman as your “kicker”, going for the field goal would be the gutsy, ice-in-the-veins nerves of steal, decision for Hawkins.
Buffalosolider
10/27/2008 7:40:00 AM
Texas A*M is an improving team , it’s a home game, they can score points on anyone playing a CU team with an offense that is barely on life support.
What should be a win may very well be an embarrassing loss.
The same with ISU the week after.
The coaching decision to go with a true freshman in a QB tandem is one in a long line of terrible coaching decisions.
The prospects of finishing 0-4 are very very possible.
Where is Matt and why is he not starting at QB?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 7:44:03 AM
There are so many things wrong with the offense that I can’t continue without feeling ill. I don’t think Coach Hawkins has the mental (coaching) tools to fix this mess he is partly responsible for creating.
My honeymoon with Coach came to a crashing halt on Saturday night. CU has regressed substantially in 2008 and we are playing a lot more of Hawks recruits (some of them with 19 games of college football experience).
I have no idea what happened to Cody Hawkins (I was a huge fan two months ago), but he needs to bench himself. He is getting worse by the snap and his lack of confidence is literally tangible.
Coach needs to recruit four of five WR’s in the 2009 class and promise (& deliver) them true freshman PT. Any decent high school WR is better than Crawford or Williams. I lined up against better flag football WR’s when I was at CU.
BTW: Goodman would have missed the (any) kick so this shut-out business is a moot point.
salsajohn
10/27/2008 7:48:37 AM
So, salsa, the Buffs should go for every fourth down in the red-zone the rest of the season?
As Hawkins said, there isn’t a waiver wire out there. Davis can’t kick field goals due to injury, so unless there is some halftime competition that will result in a new kicker (a la Texas Tech or Notre Dame), why not get Goodman in the game when there is no pressure?
The streak aside, Hawkins should have taken the opportunity to get his kicker some confidence.
montanabuff@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 8:05:30 AM
One point: I agree 100% with bzainthemd.
rodrigo
10/27/2008 8:12:14 AM
If it all starts with the O-line and the run then why didn’t we have a single play from scrimmage where the tailback ran behind a fullback???????
You don’t establish the run by using a single back set or running from the spread. WAKE UP!!!!! Can we please see some power running formations if (apparently) the run is sooo important.
I’m not fed up with this team or the coaching – just the playcalling. Start running the spread when you have the personnel to do so. Put Cantrell/Behrens in front of Rodney Stewart/D.Scott in a power formation and just see what happens. Couldn’t be worse than 58-0 right? At least we wouldn’t consistently have 2nd and 13, 3rd and 15’s.
bouldabuff
10/27/2008 8:20:34 AM
Totally agree Montana. It’s not about the streak, it’s about putting some points on the board and having something positve happen for your team. Regardless of the streak, it sucks to get shut out, and they had a chance to score some points. Who knows, maybe it only would have been 41-10 had they gotten a small infusion of positive energy early in the second half.
MarquetteBuff
10/27/2008 8:30:54 AM
Recruit receivers. Recruit receivers. Recruit receivers.
…also, to avoid the Darrell Scott phenomenon (ie: showing up totally out of shape), any new freshman that is expected to get PT has to be on campus over the summer. (like Rodney Stewart did.) NCAA probably won’t let it be “officially mandatory”, but there are ways to make it clear that is what other freshman are doing and the teammates expect it.
Helfrich, quit with the wizardry…just run the damn ball!
BlackAndGold
10/27/2008 8:40:41 AM
What points on the board. Like the points Goodman didn’t put on the board vs FSU, Texas or KSU. Come on!
With Goodman as kicker (zero for his last seven) and getting worse by the kick, Hawk should go for it far more than not. The kid can’t hit simple 30 yard kicks right now. Face it, he is horrible.
The pressure of keeping some stupid shutout streak alive would have lead him to shank a 32 yarder at the end.
58-0
58-3 (unlikely as it would be)
I don’t see the difference.
Goodman’s play has been disgraceful (he barley made that 21 yarder in OT vs West VA) He should not be kicking in most circumstances.
salsajohn
10/27/2008 8:45:00 AM
They need a QB (Ballenger) with the tools to hit the middle of the field.
Can’t go long due to QB pressure and short passes don’t work for much yardage, thus leaving the 10-15 yard passes open in the middle…
We need a QB that can see it (ballenger) and has an arm to rifle it there on a line (ballenger)..
No team respects the ability to go deep from this tandem QB system or the ability to hit players in space in the middle, thus no run game and lots of blitzing.
The spread scores points everywhere but CU, why is that (one dimensionl play calling due to QB limitations).
nepabuff
10/27/2008 8:59:04 AM
You’re right, Cal. Hawkins needs to give top priority to not alienating people with different opinions. I’m sure if he was thinking straight, he would have given equal time to differing opinions in an inclusive, non-judgmental way.
andy@dickson.org
10/27/2008 8:59:42 AM
that’s loser talk, cal. A field goal is obviosuly settling in that situation, whereas the TD attempt at least shows some fight. It’s not weather one is more feeble than the other, the point is they’re both feeble because of the situation you’re in.
You can take your “psychological difference” and go coach girls youth soccer. The buffs need talent. This article is right about many sorry performances under Barnett’s watch. If you’re going to measure someone by not being shutout, then you obviously don’t have high enough expectations to factor in to the discussion.
smokey
10/27/2008 9:09:56 AM
In football there are momentum changes. You don’t think that scoring a field goal when they were 34 behind would have given the Offense a little confidence? I think a ‘Hey, we can score against these guys’ would have gone a long way in the second half. Hawk just won’t come out and say he dosn’t trust his kicker or special teams. That, and he was trying to teach them some moral victory passive fengshui crap. What has happened to our smash mouth Hawkins. He’s a sissy now.
ckhutch
10/27/2008 9:11:27 AM
298 yards to 33 yards: That was Missouri’s advantage in total offense – for the first half.
Colorado netted those 33 yards on 25 attempts. That included two sacks (one each against Tyler Hansen and Cody Hawkins) for 16 yards in losses.
Missouri isn’t exactly a dominate defense either.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 9:12:28 AM
Having one of the worst field goal kickers in college football, oh he’s “perfect in practice,” I do think that they should have at least given him a chance to build a little confidence. Or maybe he is just so bad we won’t try any more field goals this season. It does disrespect all the hard work put in by former players and teams who got that streak, oh well.
Puma2
10/27/2008 9:12:40 AM
It’s easy to start criticizing the coaching after a loss like this. I was in shock watching the first quarter of the game. All I could think about was the Texas game a few years back and shades of GB. However, I think the next game will be the true test of Hawks coaching ability. After a loss like this, can he motive his team to really believe in themselves again? With all the dissention amongst the CU faithful, this is the time that really tests his leadership. I think the next four games will be especially telling about our future. Buffs, I still love ya.
nori_827@yahoo.com
10/27/2008 9:15:30 AM
How are we talking about ‘guts’ to make the decision to go for it? Hawk- it’s not exactly a badge of honor to break that streak regardless if he though he was holding his players to a ‘higher standard.’ 34-7 is a lot different than 34-3…not. A little nervous for A & M.
yayo
10/27/2008 9:16:05 AM
Too early to start looking forward?
Anyone going to the A&M game who has been there before? There are five of us making the trip, but we would appreciate a “tour guide” for yell practice and other pre-game activities.
If the season is going to end on a positive note, it has to start in College Station.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
montanabuff@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 9:20:20 AM
you know, i hate having to say this out loud but i’m beginning to think that maybe Chris Peterson was the brains behind the operation at Boise state, not hawkins. just something to think about
skipples4u@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 9:21:23 AM
nepa
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 9:22:45 AM
Look at the DS decision, the guy should have been redshirted for 2 reasons, freshman, out of shape.
OU had a great RB recruit, Jermie Calhoun, probably better than DS. They redshirted him for next season when he would be ready to play at this level.
Don’t be suprised to see a discouraged DS who has done squat or had many carries to transfer to a program that will work him out.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 9:28:22 AM
…transfer to a program that will work him out….
nepa
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 9:35:25 AM
If you look back, DS said he chose CU in part because of the opportunity to play right away. Of course he didn’t exactly keep up his end of the bargain by showing up out of shape, but the blame for that falls on him, not on the coaches (there are plenty of other things to criticize them for right now). DS is looking like a bust because of DS, not anybody else (see Stewart, Rodney).
rodrigo
10/27/2008 9:40:06 AM
I don’t understand how Hawkins’ comments on the offense can be taken as “throwing the offensive line under the bus.” He said, rightly so, that offensive success starts up front – it relies on solid offensive line play to pass-protect and execute run-blocking schemes.
The Buffs have lost three linemen for the rest of the season and are thin at several positions. Those are facts, not putdowns. The team – and the coaches – are working with what they’ve got. Right now, that’s not enough in a very competitive Big 12. That’s it – no manufactured controversy about throwing anyone under the bus is needed.
lindseyjoe
10/27/2008 9:41:52 AM
It occurs to me that DS may just be a desparately unhappy kid whose heart is in Texas, but his body is in Colorado.
If I remember the scuttlebutt at the time, it was felt that he wanted to go to UT but his family pressured him into going to CU.
If thats true, he can’t be real happy seeing what the Horns are doing and here he is in Colo on a mediocre team. Maybe at the core is that he just doesnt want to be here
nepabuff
10/27/2008 9:46:30 AM
Some folks are wondering why Cody looks so bad this year. The reason is that last year opposing defensive coordinators apparently believed the hype about Cody and thought he was just a short version of Todd Reesing. They didn’t pressure him thinking he could burn them if they did.
But now those DC’s know that was all just salesmanship on the part of his dad and so his effectiveness goes down every game because those DC’s now have a lot of film on Cody and realize he can’t make plays with his arm or his feet.
WhosYourDaddy
10/27/2008 9:51:13 AM
“and then the coaches trott out an inexperienced true freshman QB who can run a little”
Where’s Matt?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 9:56:03 AM
The Ballenger situation is just like the Brian White deal. He’s clearly the best equipped QB but for some reason Hawk refuses to play him.
Instead all we get is “trust me I know what I’m doing” and gives us Bernard Jackson and now a true freshamn with no real preparation.
WhosYourDaddy
10/27/2008 10:04:17 AM
Could it be because if Matt gets a fair shot he’ll keep the job for the next few seasons?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 10:12:24 AM
Now the narcissist (nepa, re: DS) has become a psychologist. Please explain your hatred toward Hawkins, your eternal love for Barnett, and you blossoming, burgeoning and unhealthy love for Ballenger.
AZBuff
10/27/2008 10:14:36 AM
No hatred here, but I will explain my opinions.
1. DS, a highly touted RB who has recently aired discontent along with the RB coach in the press. He’s getting less carries and yards than anyone, and the team is losing.
2. Barnett had winning seasons and a big 12 title, something Hawkins is no where near in year 3.
3. Ballenger is physically a better athelete than Hawkins, faster, stronger and taller with more experience than Hansen. Why is he not starting?
Those are my reasons for the opinions stated. I have enjoyed the Hawkins family human interest stories as well as anyone and am sure they are fine folks.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 10:20:33 AM
I liked the Hawkins hiring and I continue to be a Hawkins fan-sort of. The fact that he so willingly let the 20 year shutout record go is outrageous. That record meant a lot to long-time Buff fans and apparently Hawkins doesn’t care that the record went away. Secondly, the best team clearly won the game. That being said, when you get beat 58-0, it’s not all on the players. If anyone thinks Hawkins or his staff had that team ready to play the game, I’d say you’re nuts! I was convinced that our program was moving forward, but perhaps I was dead wrong.
Buffs055
10/27/2008 10:38:39 AM
Those conspiracy fools will now probably start saying that Hansen is being set up to fail, paving the way for the triumphant return of the prodigal son against… Iowa State?
WhosYourDaddy
10/27/2008 10:48:20 AM
Still have 4 games left but if Buffs finish 5-7 there should be staff changes.
Texas regularly goes 10-2 and fires coordinators.
I know, we are not Texas but this is year 3 of the Hawkins regime and its unrealistic to expect some improvement and has Hawkings says we should just need to “improve” each week. Well Dan, the Buffs are not improving.
hershalsavage@lycos.com
10/27/2008 10:53:44 AM
Who gives a sh*t about the streak?! 1 or 2 field goals wouldn’t have made a damn bit of difference in this game! Plus, who even thinks that Goodman would have made those kicks? One would have been blocked and he would have choked on the other.
Hawkins isn’t throwing the O line under the bus. He’s calling them out. They got absolutely MAN HANDLED. It was just sad. I know that most of our line consists of second string guys who are young, but someone on that line has got to MAN UP. I watched numerous times as our guys were pushed off of the block, knocked backwards and run over. Regardless of their inexperience, our guys need to win the individual battles. Block the one person that you responsible for and push the line of scrimmage FORWARD. It’s a novel idea! I know that there are complexities with offensive line calls, formations, etc that our young guys probably are mishandling, but the fact is they need to get back to basics – WIN THE F*%&ING BATTLE WITH THE MAN IN FRONT OF YOU!
If the O line continues to get pushed around looking like they’re nothing more than 5 Aric Goodmans up there, we don’t stand a chance. You could’ve had Tom Frickin’ Brady back there and we would’ve lost 58-0. If you can’t block, you can’t run and if you can’t run, you can’t pass. Hawkins & Hansen did everything they could to complete passes and escape the pressure, but when the pocket collapses in 2-3 seconds, what in the hell is a QB supposed to do? Give #16, #3, #9 or #9 a chance behind that BS line and you’ll get the exact same results. It all starts up front and unless those guys decide to show up and win their individual battles, we’re screwed.
Also, can someone please teach Patrick Williams how to catch? We come out and drive the ball down the field on our first possession of the second half and the guy drops two passes that Cody put right on the money on 3rd & 4th down! How is it possible?!? I thought he would become a big time receiver for us, but the guy chokes under pressure. Every time they try to hit him on a big play it’s a drop. I’m not saying that drive would have made a difference in the outcome of the game, but it would have been nice to see a positive response from the Buffs in the opening part of the second half and #4 killed it for us.
While we’re at it, why in the hell didn’t we kick away on the opening kick? Why give MU a short field to start? Horrible decision by Riddle & Hawkins! Also, why in the hell was Suazo punting to start the game? His inexperience showed with his muffed handle on the snap. What in the hell was that all about?
Coach Hawkins needs to look at himself in terms of preparing a team and motivating a group during an adverse time. The Buffs looked timid & emotionless. That blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach.
Just an embarrassing game, except for the fact that we kept Goodman firmly chained to the bench. I suggest that we can blame the whole season on him.
RashaanSalaam
10/27/2008 11:08:58 AM
Nepa: That is the first time that I can recall that you have actually backed up some of your bomb throwing comments with some substantive thoughts. Many times when high school stars go off to college they don’t live up to expectations. While in HS many have matured faster than their counterparts and seem almost like men among boys. I am not ready to give up on DS as yet. When they reach college they find that the competition is more relative to their skill set. There have, as you are aware been many factors in his inability to live up to what we expected. I for one am willing to wait and not immediately think that halfway through his freshman year that he is a bust. I pay little attention to articles that involve personalty conflicts unless they persist. There are a multitude of problems on offense and the idea that DS or Ballenger or any one individual can be the saviour is at this time unrealistic. As for Barnett, he may have won a big 12 title but the next game he played (Fiesta Bowl) looked too much like what occurred after that title. I have spent time around him and found him to be at times arrogant and unwilling to properly assess his own program and the direction it was headed. If you truly do follow the program you have to admit it was in shambles when Barnett left. He also had good success at Northwestern but that program was also in bad shape by the end of his reign. Those are just some of the reasons why I feel that it is still too early to condemn and judge the Hawkins era at CU.
AZBuff
10/27/2008 11:18:52 AM
Our O-line stinks, and that’s the deal. Try driving a car with no engine or wheels.
Our team is also super young. It doesn’t matter who’s behind center, or in the backfield. No line = no running game. It’s pretty obvious what happens when we can’t run the ball.
Next season our line is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and the wins will follow.
Black_Rob
10/27/2008 11:33:35 AM
So, Rob. Since it is an established fact (according to you) that CU can’t run, that leaves the pass.
Where’s Ballenger? He’s the best passer on the squad. (and by best passer I mean he has more than a year learning the playbook, has great size and athletesism and an arm that can make ALL the throws needed in the playbook.)
nepabuff
10/27/2008 11:44:39 AM
We might as well hold a raffle for fans to play O-line. Our line is a joke. I watch guys go virtually unblocked time after time – game me after game.
But now, I am begining to see other disturbing signs of a bad team. Players are just not flying to the ball and hitting. They actually look like they are avoiding contact.
I hate to say it, but I even saw Hypolite – who I love – loaf on a potential tackle for a loss. He played patty-cake with Daniel as the back ran right by him. I recorded it and replayed it several times to make sure I really saw it.
This is a really, really bad team right now. I thought last year CU showed signs of getting better. But this team is inept. I have used the word before -and I’ll use it again. CU is INEPT.
Coaches as well as players have to do better. Maybe Hawk is not the man afterall. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. I supported him all last year against nay-sayers. But I am beginning to think he and his staff are in way over their heads.
Who the heck recruited the current O-line – and who thought these guys were good enough to play in the Big 12 – and who has coached them to this point? I realize many of them were not intended to play this year – but many of them are the same guys from last year. Don’t forget that we sucked against E. Wash. and at that time Miller and MTM were in the line-up.
I have not even mentioned the QB situation – or the kicking game – or the pass rush or……
What’s all this bull about watching film and being prepared? Prepared my @#$%.
Inept. Simply Inept.
roamingbuff
10/27/2008 11:45:33 AM
Matt Ballenger article from the first of the year…
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/14/challenger-in-heavyweight-division/
nepabuff
10/27/2008 11:46:53 AM
I agree with MarquetteBuff and MontanaBuff re: kicking an FG to give the team something positive when down 34-0 and letting Goodman get some confidence back. We may need him and what’s to lose? I don’t care about the streak, but I think a goose egg is humiliating and more demoralizing for a team, even if three points doesn’t make much difference.
Saheeb
10/27/2008 11:48:33 AM
Kyle, do you and Hawk need a little family counseling? Man up, and hold Hawk accountable as a head coach should be. In articles like this you only serve to enable Hawk.
The funny thing about the record books….. there are no foot notes. The 242 game streak is over and Hawks house of cards is exposed. A moral victory my foot!
tonbro
10/27/2008 11:51:11 AM
I don’t post much on here, but find some of your points very entertaining.
1)Nepa is an idiot. On the same post (while referring to CU) used the words “they” and “we”. He obviously thinks he is helping to stir discontent within Buffalo Nation, and on some issues he succeeds in sucking a few of you into his BS. Why give any creedence or acknowledgment to a troll? Most of you realize after reading his posts for so long now that his only straw left in the hat is with Matt Ballenger, so quit biting his bait.
2) While “the streak” was something a few of you held close to your hearts on here, let it go. In the grand scheme of things, no one really cares about how many games we scored in – I only care about how many games we win! So holding onto this “streak” is / was becoming more important than winning the game itself. How much bragging could one actually do by saying, “hey, we’ve got the 3 longest active scoring streak in college football”? That is a losers stat, not a winner’s.
3) As hard as it may be, keep the faith that Hawk knows what he’s doing. We may NOT go to a bowl game this year, big freaking deal. We have a young team, give them the benefit of the doubt. Besides the fact that we have never been lights out in bowl games (even with good teams – Fiesta Bowl 2001). Did anyone really expect us to win the Big 12 or National championship this year? No.
Let’s just remain optimistic about the lessons these young players are currently learning, which will pay dividends next year.
Go Buffs!!!
glx1747@comcast.net
10/27/2008 11:51:48 AM
Usually coaches say being on TV helps with recruiting. This next game has no TV coverage – right? Good. The fewer people that see this pathetic program the better. Kids will take one look at this mess and opt for some other program.
roamingbuff
10/27/2008 11:52:01 AM
Re: All the banter/musing about DS being a potential bust. The chatter reminds of when I lived in Pittsburgh and they picked Troy Palaumau with their first pick. He looked completely lost his first season and the hyperactive media and fans were all wondering if he was going to be a bust and a wasted pick.
I think Hagan et al have seen enough backs to know he’s the real deal. Secondly, he hasn’t lit it up in any game, but he’s averaging 3.4 yards per carry while injured, with a very weak and young line in front, he’s inexperienced and he’s probably still a bit out of shape. He’s going to be good. Stop with the premature qualms!!
Saheeb
10/27/2008 11:52:14 AM
why don’t they run the plays they practice during the week? Isn’t the idea to practice the game you’re going to play? No wonder no one knows what’s going on. These kids are young not miracle workers.
westernbuff1
10/27/2008 11:52:40 AM
our team is not as bad as 58-0 to Mizzou, keep it respectable and move on. At this point the assistants better be meeting and determining a gameplan to get this team to 9-4 and they better be circling the game vs. UM next season
58-3 would have meant that 7-6 is still a decent season for the buffs. that has gone out the window with the shutout. You do not let your team get shut out EVER!
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 11:53:13 AM
Ballenger is not the answer. Stick with Hansen and prepare for next year. We are still on track to break out next year and just need one last spell of patience:
– The o-line will be older and better and get Miller back.
– Herrod and other receivers will upgrade the talent at that position.
– DS will be healthy and in shape, Speedy will still be around, and Pol will play as well.
– Major and Katoa will be able to play.
– Our secondary will be experienced.
Tough to stomach now, but I really believe that this is all true.
98buff
10/27/2008 11:56:48 AM
What ever…CU fans will be happy when Tyler Hanson and crew turns this experience in to wins in the next few years. Anyone who didn’t see a blow out coming in this game needs to get their eyes checked. Cu has nothing close to what it needs to consistently compete with the conference elite at this time. The situation is changing for the better, and Buff fans need to be patient.
Frank_The_Tank
10/27/2008 11:59:00 AM
Question, I’d like Ringo to ask the coaches what a team does to try to compensate on offense when they have a weak and inexperienced line. I would think the answer would be to make quick throws and stuff like screens, short and out passes to backs and WRs. I don’t know why we’re not doing more of that and some trick plays.
Also, if running in the I-formation against WVU yieleded so much productivity (albeit we had Ryan Miller in at the time), and the backs clearly prefer it, why not go to it again some during games? Worth a try. At this point, anything is worth a try.
And again, we’ve won three we were supposed to win and one we weren’t supposed to win and lost the four we were predicted to lose. The only difference in my expectations is that we’re not improving week to week at all. Given the completeness and promise of the CSU thrashing it’s been surprising and disappointing.
Saheeb
10/27/2008 11:59:19 AM
I have a sick feeling that next year we’ll be hearing the “wait until 2010” chant.
In sports, there is no “next year”, there is only one game at a time, and you try to win. Not roll over like a turtle (or the french).
nepabuff
10/27/2008 12:04:25 PM
I know C-Hawk is not the answer, Hansen is not experienced/mature enough at this point. He knows too few plays and will be as easy to read for DC’s as C-Hawk now. I want to see Ballinger start a game! I want to see what he can do in the 1st quarter not just the 4th when the “L” is penciled in the book.
Flyer, I agree!!
tonbro
10/27/2008 12:06:09 PM
One problem that is getting badly overlooked here is that we just don’t have any quality WRs, so how in the @#!$ are ANY of the QBs supposed to look good? Add to that the OL troubles and you have a passing element that is non-existant. Given that, how can we have a running game with ANY RB. All opposing teams have to do is load the box and we lose. Simple as that. I think those are the main two problems with this team: Poor OL play, and poor receiving corps.
CABuffalo
10/27/2008 12:06:27 PM
CABuff, that’s exactly the reason we need a mobile QB (Ballenger) with good size (Ballenger) that can create out of the pocket or run it himself (again, Ballenger), with a strong arm (Ballenger, Dan Fouts says so), who has had over a year to learn the playbook (again Ballenger)..
We and every DC on the schedule knows the Buff’s weaknesses, what are we gonna do about it, throw up the white flag and chant “next year”???
Have I left anyone out?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 12:14:10 PM
Good article about Ballenger! As the article says he got suckered by Hawk’s “salesmanship” too. Hawk doesn’t want any NFL prospects screwing up his offense. Check out the photo: looks like Cody only comes up to Ballenger’s chin. I’ll bet Matt is wishing he had gone to Gonzaga to play hoops.
WhosYourDaddy
10/27/2008 12:16:31 PM
Saheeb,
re DS: Maybe it’s because he’s hurt. Maybe it’s because he’s (still) out of shape. Maybe nepa’s right (gasp!) and he’s not happy at CU. All speculation.
What is known is Rodney Stewart came in and made his mark running behind the same offense line, with the same coaches calling the plays and against the same defenses. I hope you’re right and DS turns out to be the deal. After watching him run on tv and in person, though, I’m not holding my breath.
Here’s hoping Ray Polk is using his redshirt year to do what DS should have done over the summer.
rodrigo
10/27/2008 12:17:32 PM
98Buff – I agree with your comments.
As much as I hate to hear the “we’ll get ’em next year” mantra (I’ll give you that, nepa), there is a slew of talent that will be available next year which is simply not playing right now.
You can make up an entire offensive line (an perhaps even a better one!) from scholarship players who are not suiting up this Saturday.
Katoa and Major were supposed to be impact players on defense, and neither is available.
This was always going to be a 6-6 or 7-5 year. The issue is consistency and improvement. If those elements don’t show up the next two weeks, then it’s time to start wondering about the makeup of assistants in ’09.
Go Buffs!
http://www.cuatthegame.com
montanabuff@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 12:35:50 PM
I keep reading R.Salaam’s post. Dead on the money. And what a change for Solder. Last week they said he graded out at 99. Saturday he got schooled. Their D-end ran over – around – and through him all day. He should grade out at zero this week.
Our guys got over-run against Texas like they weren’t even there. Same thing this week. I watched several plays where 2 and 3 Mizzou D-lineman ran right through – virtually untouched.
Scott – Stewart – Cody and Hansen – none of ’em stand a chance with our O-line. Just pathetic.
Poor game plans. Poor play calls. Poor special teams play. Poor O-line play – recievers running the wrong rout and not catching the ball. On the D-side – guys “shoving” an opponent rather than attacking – wrapping up – and tackling. Walters is one of the few actually hitting anybody. I even saw good old Hypolite loaf on a shot at a sack.
I hang this one on coach Hawk and his staff. This ain’t intrumurals coach – and it ain’t Boise St.
I will say – I saw intensity in Cody this week. I saw him mad at guys not being in the right place and the right time. Hansen has more talent – but Cody has the fire and leadership.
CU will be lucky to beat Iowa St and finish 5 and 7.
roamingbuff
10/27/2008 12:51:31 PM
maybe instead of hawkins getting the finger pointed at him…what about Bohn? Where did he earn his stripes? San Diego State. And what a pathetic program they are. look at his hires, hawkins and that crappy basketball coach. The kids at boulder these days don´t go there for a chance to play in the NFL, they go there to party. they have silver spoons in their mouths and don´t have the anger or desire to take it to the next level. nobody has a mean streak, and nobody flys to ball and can stick an opponent with a jarring pop. the last to do this was Ryan Black and medford moorer.
KidBuffalo
10/27/2008 12:54:46 PM
It’s not a QB problem. It’s a Coach problem.
No matter who is at QB, whether it’s Cody, Ballenger, Hanson, or Nelson, the finishing results will be on the shoulders of the head coach.
buffatheart
10/27/2008 12:58:10 PM
So Ryan Miller – all 6-8 300 pounds of him – 5 star recruit – decided – aw the heck with the NFL, I’m just going to CU to party? And Rodney Stewart –
oh there’s a kid from a rich family and silver spoon in his mouth – no passion in him. Just came to party too?
Dykes and Walters bring it about every game and I’ve seen them rock some people. Dizon didn’t bring it last year?
That was about the dumbest, thoughtless thing anybody has posted in a long time.
roamingbuff
10/27/2008 1:02:11 PM
no wonder this country is in the shape it is in. DS hits a bit of a road block and many of you immediatley think he should give up and go elsewhere. is that what the role models in all of your lives have taught you? when the going gets tough, quit and go somewhere else. I suspect DS is a man and will take the challenge to better himself – much like Sipili did – and come back stronger next year. Very much unlike Maiava who simply took the quiters road out of town.
bufffan8
10/27/2008 1:08:46 PM
Well, then it’s official.
The boys on offense are doing all they can do, that’s all anyone can ask. There is nothing any coach can possibly do to change the situation.
CU must play good enough defense to win with 10 points of offense the rest of the season.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 1:10:06 PM
I have more faith in Wall Street banks.
We will have three more years Hawk/Bone marketing and below average results.
radford
10/27/2008 1:10:21 PM
Hawk is Hawk.
You know what you’re going to get with Hawk. He’s going to go for it, and take chances, and that means he’s going to win big and lose big.
Personally, I like it. The string is a meaningless number. There have been some lousy seasons and lousy teams during those 242 games.
Unfortunately, he’s only got two classes of recruits. That means that when a starter gets hurt, Hawk is down to the players he inherited. He lost two starting offensive linemen in one week, and that’s a bit like trying to drive a car without one of the wheels attached.
We’re headed in the right direction, but this is going to be a rough season.
chartguy
10/27/2008 1:15:09 PM
Kai Maiava transferred (not quit) because of a retarded decision to take a 300 lb first team freshman all american O-lineman and turn him into a running back of all things.
Can you blame him? He has his chance to play ball squashed by something as stupid as moving him to Running back?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 1:15:58 PM
“Good article about Ballenger! As the article says he got suckered by Hawk’s “salesmanship” too. Hawk doesn’t want any NFL prospects screwing up his offense. Check out the photo: looks like Cody only comes up to Ballenger’s chin. I’ll bet Matt is wishing he had gone to Gonzaga to play hoops” – posted by whosyourdaddy
Slander, can we get a lawyer already and remove this yahoo from the board
“I have a sick feeling that next year we’ll be hearing the “wait until 2010″ chant” – posted by nepa
and my guess is that you’ll be leading the charge
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 1:16:27 PM
“I wasn’t bitter about playing fullback, and I was doing my best to learn it,” Maiava said. “But I missed the brotherhood of the O-line. And it didn’t look like I was going to get as much playing time (at fullback).”
nepabuff
10/27/2008 1:18:05 PM
buffalo_flyer , some of your posts are the most offensive things posted on this board.
Holy than thou again, aren’t you?
nepabuff
10/27/2008 1:19:54 PM
This seems very simple to me and i am pulling points from other posts, but was thinking about this all game on Saturday. Let’s simplify the play book. No need throwing too much at a bunch of guys who are young and struggling. Since we do not have the personell to run the spread offense, lets set up in the I-formation and RUN THE BALL. Jfly and Patrick are just talented enough to keep the safeties off the line of scrimmage. Also, where are our Tight Ends, I am remember reading about them this summer. Its like the coaching staff have completely forgot what worked for us last year. Because we are facing basketball on turf from most of our opponents, we need to establish a ball control offense over the last three games to keep those offenses off the field. The Aggie defense we will face this weekend is not good, and we should be able to get some traction against them. It is like Hawkins and Helfrich are trying to re-invent the wheel. Lets just get back to what has worked for us, sprinkle a little spread offense to keep the defenses on their heels and get to bowl game. Rant over.
clbuff
10/27/2008 1:24:21 PM
“a bit of a road block…” Bufffan, I’m waiting for DS to get started, not quit and go elsewhere.
rodrigo
10/27/2008 1:29:31 PM
It’s soooo amazing how a bunch of people who are NOT in the mix nor putting on pads come Saturday, have so much to say about how things should be done. What in the world is a nepabuff, and what is the reason for your existence on this site (is it merely to TRY and frustrate everyone else w/ your ridiculous antics?)?
Saheeb and 98Buff, you are right on the money … . Some may not be able to see forest for the trees and don’t believe that only GOOD can come out of what we are experiencing right now. I too see the silver lining of all this … .. there is only one way to go and that is up from here! Our guys can and will bounce back.
Some of you act like they are going out there losing on purpose, and that it effects you directly. How about showing Love until the end. If you wanna call plays and decide what needs to happen on the field, go out for a coaching position. Put your Aces on the line and tell me how it feels when things don’t work out quite as plans ( you know the ideal plays some of you think we should run) Put it into action.
Hush your mouths … find something else to itch about, simply Get-A-Life!!!! The Buff football team WILL be alright. And when this struggle is over don’t go getting your saddles out trying go for the ride, cause then that will only show who the real losers are.
BUFF PRIDE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 1:32:05 PM
NJBuff’s points:
1) We got beat very bad Saturday, but trailing 14-0 5 minutes into the game didn’t help. We were playing catch-up the whole game.
2) I don’t understand why we aren’t blitzing the safeties, Dykes and Waters, more like we did towards the end of last year.
3) Ballenger is slow! Cody is slow, but Ballenger showed me nothing with his feet the last time he got into a game. You cannot say Ballenger can escape with his feet when he can’t.
4) Nepa, on the one hand I admire your resiliency; If I was being called an idiot as much as you, perhaps I would stop posting. On the other hand, if the Buffs aren’t going to be good enough for you to root for, why do you keep coming back? Why do you put energy into posting the same comment day in and day out? Find a team that will satisfy you – no one is holding a gun to your head to root for the Buffs. Otherwise you either look like you have a grudge against them, or worse, nothing better to do with your life!
NJBuff
10/27/2008 1:32:08 PM
…..”dark days in buffalo country”…….yet another one of those years, i guess, when beating nebraska gets me through till the follwing season…things like this happen in the big 12…….colorado holds kansas state to 13 points and kansas state puts 28 on ou in the first half….finish last 4 games playing hard for seniors and ‘build’ for 09……getting “early” extensions doesnt always promote success, ask bill callahan…..and barnett “owned” pinkel and mizzou….never estimate the “heart” of a wounded and angry buffalo—a species ‘designed’ to “survive” all times…..go buffs…..in HAWK we trust….
buff4life
10/27/2008 1:35:38 PM
Flyer- Holy over reaction… and just when I was agreeing with you!
Kid- only go there to party? silverspoon? Are you referring to the athletes or students? The athletes…Come on… Really? Have a look at the background of most of these kids… Take a look at the work they do on & off the field.
tonbro
10/27/2008 1:37:33 PM
you’re right youre right, I’m taking another pepcid!
the one thing I gotta say is we have to give Mizzou alot of credit for that win instead of blaming it all on the buffs, they played a lights out game
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 1:48:14 PM
…did like d scott running over that mizzou dback, buffs show “glimpes” of being good, but “glimpes” dont win in the big 12, ask neb fan, they been watching only “glimpes” for the past 10 years now–yikes!, but barely beating baylor at home in front 135,000 fans is good reason to talk “trash”-especially to the youngest team in the big 12….like i said, some years just beating the “frauds” in lincoln gets me through the offseaon, small consolation i know, but in 09 we playing in big 12 title game again….
buff4life
10/27/2008 1:57:18 PM
buff4life, I think all that hate against NU sounds silly when their win loss record is better than CU’s.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 2:02:35 PM
58-7 looks better than 58-3, but 58-3 doesn’t look better than 58-0? You don’t want to say “at least we didn’t get shut out.”, but you do want to say, “at least we scored a touchdown!” C’mon.
A lot of players and coaches contributed that streak over the last 20 years and it’s something in which people took pride. You think Florida and Michigan don’t care about that streak?
[And if your goal is to score a touchdown, why the #*&% don’t you at least throw the ball into the endzone?!]
Plus, as a number of people have mentioned, why not give your struggling kicker a chance to make a field in a zero pressure situation? If we want to win another game this season, we’re probably going to need him to make a kick. Does anyone here want his next kick to be a high pressure situation?
OutToPasture
10/27/2008 2:04:53 PM
……1990 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS……..1994 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER…..2001 BIG 12 CHAMPIONS…..MULTIPLE BIG 12 NORTH TITLES…..WE shall ‘overcome’, We always have…..we are COLORADO
buff4life
10/27/2008 2:06:22 PM
interesting. early but interesting.
probably have the buff and cream bowls reversed. Of course they do.
interesting the fsu/wv.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowlprojection
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 2:15:27 PM
buff4life I so agree w/ you….. “WE SHALL OVER COME”
Wow, how quickly people forget. Then again though, if they are not the one who brought the success and victories to CU anyway; then forgetting Greatness can easily be forgottn.
Now lets see that again: Ummmm
1990 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS……..1994 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER…..2001 BIG 12 CHAMPIONS…..MULTIPLE BIG 12 NORTH TITLES…..WE shall ‘overcome’, We always have…..WE R COLORADO!!!! GO BUFFS
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 2:16:01 PM
F you Hawkins! The streak DID matter to a lot of us. Pinkel is laughing at Hawkins.
Also Ballinger played well when I saw him and he should get a start against A+M with Hanson as back up and Cody 3rd string. It is reminiscent of the Brian White situation. I think the midget Hawk with his short son does not like tall people.
mewag28@hotmail.com
10/27/2008 2:25:48 PM
Maybe will Muschamp will be available.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 2:29:25 PM
“Pinkel is laughing at Hawkins” – posted by mewag28
just wait until next season when Daniel and Coffman are gone, no one will forget how he put his starters back in the game, Pinkel made a major blunder with that move. Hawk will put that one in his back pocket. It won’t be forgotten.
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 2:38:39 PM
Quick thoughts:
Texas has never gone 10-2 and fired coordinators, much less done so multiple times. They go 10-2 and the coordinators get swooped up as head coaches for other schools. One thing that is keeping Texas from routinely going undefeated is that their top coordinators are only there for a couple of years if not one year and done. As much as Mack Brown annoys me in general (as well as Texas) the head coach does not do it all. Most of the game-time stuff is done by the coordinators. That’s their job. So losing your game Generals every other year creates its own issues.
Ballenger: He is a decent QB with decent upside, but he is not THE solution for this year. He is no where near as mobile as Hansen. Speaking of which did you all watch Hansen? He got out of several sure sacks and kept the play going when I was sure he was toast! He’s got a real future. I’m not convinced he has a better arm than Hansen either. Even if he does, he hasn’t shown any better game play than Hansen so why substitute him for Hansen? Cody brings the extra knowledge of the Offense that neither Hansen nor Ballenger have mastered yet. That means for this year, he brings more options to the table as far as game plan. Next year neither Ballenger nor Hansen have the excuse of not knowing the offense well enough. They need to get it done. Cody will not be starting or playing much next year barring a rash of injuries.
Ballenger needs to work on mastering the passing game better than Hansen and he needs to work on his mobility, otherwise Hansen has the drivers seat to start and be the guy next year. I do think that Ballenger could benefit from whatever game play he can get. If that means putting him in for a few series per game and playing 3 QBs, then maybe they should try that.
I still think they should use DS as a power Receiver out wide so he has some space to do his thing. This last game it didn’t look like the O-line could hold against anything long enough for anyone to do much. Next year we have Polk in the mix too. Polk is more of a bruising back than DS is. With Speedy showing his stuff I think they should work more on uilding DS’s catching game. I’m not saying move him completely away from RB, but I think he has a lot to offer in receiving that no one else on the team brings. He is fast, strong, has shown decent hands so far, and can make people miss. He is getting stuffed at the line right now, but there is no way to stuff him when he is out wide.
If you put J-Fly or any decent receiver on the opposite side of the field it really creates things for the offense and also opens things up for Speedy if they opt to give him the ball, or Hansen to run it himself if keeps it and the others are not open.
BuffTime
10/27/2008 2:38:39 PM
OK, so much for a “few comments” here are the rest (never maxed out the comment field before..)
As for the O-line, they are young, banged up, and obviously have shown to have no confidence in themselves right now. In part because everyone keeps pointing out all of their flaws. Nate Solder is now one of the “veterans” on the line and he was a TE last year. They all need to put on muscle and work on every aspect of their game this off season and come out with a grudge like no one’s business next season and completely dominate. Before this season started the defensive secondary was being called out every day about they were the weak link on this team. They have played with fire and heart and chip on their shoulders and they are the best secondary unit in the Big 12 against the pass this year! That is good coaching!
As for the kicking game; their are currently 4 players on the team who kick. Suazo and Dilallo are listed as only punters and Davis is listed as PK/P but is only doing kick-offs. Why on earth are they not pushing Suazo and Dilallo to cross-train as kickers too? At least one of them! You cross train the linemen but not your kicking unit? I’ve heard kickers say they don’t like doing both as the style is different and they feel they don’t become great at either. But when you have the issues the Buffs currently have and no options then it over-rides the kickers’ preferences I think…
BuffTime
10/27/2008 2:40:14 PM
So Bo got meaningless points against the same team when the game was over. Who really cares?
A loss is a loss. They scored 58 points on both teams. We lost in an away game.
The outcome was expected regardless of the score.
All of the hot air from nu fans is just that.
vegasbufffan
10/27/2008 2:40:48 PM
98Buff: good post. Rodrigo, yeah, good points re: Speedy was able to get yards behind (mostly) the same line and against good run defenses in previus games, so why can’t Scott do it? True. Speedy seems to make pretty good, and quick, decisions on where he’s going and he frequently goes against the flow of the blocking if nothing is there. That’s great natural instinct and he has the speed to get away with it, usually.
But, I still think DS is going to be the real deal and that some of the faster decision making and reads will come with more playing, more confidence and better health. The above may come more quickly to some players, but it’ll come for DS. Plus, when he does get a line in front of him the blocks/holes will be there more often.
Saheeb
10/27/2008 2:42:24 PM
Rodrigo: I’m curious, though, since you’ve seen DS live in practice, he isn’t impressive to you? The coaches and his teammates gushed about his speed and power all through training camp. If he doesn’t stand out to you live it makes me believe his injury, or injuries, are truly hampering him. Everyone from scouting services at the Army All-Star game, CU, Texas coaches – everyone – just raved about his explosiveness. At this early juncture I just find it hard to believe everyone was wrong (not that it hasn’t happened before).
On another note, I would never advocate moving him to receiver, no way, but DS seems to have good hands receiving the ball. He’s made some tough catches and I don’t think he’s dropped much, if anything.
Saheeb
10/27/2008 2:44:25 PM
WOW thefishheadsoup Why so bitter, did you try out for CU’s team once or twice and wasn’t accepted. Awwww, poor baby to be so harsh and dumb sounding.
Please list us your stats and victories from your playing days… I bet they are awsome! Grow up.
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 2:44:29 PM
realistically, I see NU, with their improved defense finishing 8-4 in regular season, with the lone loss against OU.
nepabuff
10/27/2008 2:44:59 PM
Whoa fish… your frustration is exposed! The market, Hawk, that game…. you are better than that. I generaly enjoy the humor in your posts even if I don’t agree with what you are saying. It is FRUSTRATING to hear all the excuses however.
tonbro
10/27/2008 2:45:27 PM
Again “Big” Fish,
You must be awsome player from an awsome program to have such insight on what shouldn’t be praised, so please show us something… you obviously know wayyyy better than the rest of us. Have you ever played a down?
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 2:53:22 PM
this time the fish is right on! 58-0 is unacceptable and the staff had better feel the heat. Collins took one of the better defensive units at CU in several years and turned it into scaredy cat ball, Did you even see Daniels uniform at the end of the game? Skip the dry cleaner fellows its all good
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 2:53:59 PM
luvdaskers – I love this line:
“Never in my life have I seen more tacky, distasteful, abhorrent, and immature fan behavior than in Boulder, Co”
Ha ha! You love us, and you know it! You will keep coming back again and again. You try to hate us, but you cannot. You love the Buffs and wish you were one. That’s why you continually come here to post and talk about the Buffs and their fans. You have complete Buff-Envy!
Fear not. While we will probably never allow you to join our elite group of royalty at the foot of the great Rocky Mountains, we will allow you to continue on as our courier. Go back now to our subjects on the plains and spread the word of the Mighty Buffalo. We do not have time to visit your mud dwellings (or even go to your websites), but we will let you bring news of the feeble lives and optimism that exist in the monotony that is Nebraska. That is your role on this Earth. Enjoy!
phibuffa
10/27/2008 3:04:00 PM
Fish: It’s one thing to expect greatness, and have high expectations… but when your a so called fan, who actually sounds like you against the program; c’mon.
I don’t make light of the fact that we really need a turn around, it’s just that putting the guys down; is not what’s going to make it better, and get the job done.
Having crap said about you constantly (contrary to popular belief), does not motivate. If you can’t stand it right now stop watching … It’s better than you sounding like the enemy.
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 3:06:04 PM
fish, do you think it is reasonable to expect this year’s team to be great? Seriously?
I expect CU to be great and ready to be great starting next year. That has always been my stance. While it is reasonable to expect improvement from game to game, you want to completely dismiss the situation that they are in. This team is young, beat-up and has zero confidence at this point.
The only thing the coaches can do anything about is the confidence level (goes hand in hand with “heart” and “fire”). Look at the posts some clowns have been writing. Look at what gets published in the Colorado Daily. If I had to play for fans like that I would lose some heart too.
I’m done listening to the excuses from fans that CU doesn’t sell out because we have so many things to do on Saturdays in Colorado. Non-sense. We just don’t have enough football fans and loyal fans of any kind in this state. Anyone can back a winning team. Real fans back the team no matter what. The Avs sold out all the time for a decade. Then they hit a rough patch and poof, no more sell outs. Fans in Colorado are weak. They don’t travel and they don’t really support any team. They just enjoy the ride when things are good. Before calling out the players and coaches, look in the mirror and ask yourselves if you have really supported the team or just gone along for the entertainment when they have won?
BuffTime
10/27/2008 3:11:11 PM
total embarrassment, this team needs to be put through the practice ringer like I said two weeks ago, and Hawkins needs to stop ‘whinning’ and start ‘winning’ games. Get an identity and run the ball from the I with a fullback lead and get rid of this nonsense, not fooling anybody motion little league offense. Are the Buffs pXXX ants or football players? This IS the Big 12 Hawk, surprise!!!
Go buffs
donintucson
10/27/2008 3:11:58 PM
Amen, Amen BuffTime (I agree on all that you said).
donintucson: after this “Are the Buffs pXXX ants or football players? ” how can you say GO BUFFS.
Some of you are ridculous and need to find another fan site; cause you DO NOT sound like fans.
LovnaBuff4Always
10/27/2008 3:17:55 PM
maiava quit the TEAM. if he only wants to play the position he likes most he should play an individual sport like tennis. when you are part of a team you do what the coaches ask of you to help the TEAM. TEAM first. Any good coach knows that. Glad he is gone. He can whine about his position to slick rick now. and i suppose if rick won’t play he will transfer again. watch mike singletary’s post game comments from yesterday.
bufffan8
10/27/2008 3:26:36 PM
Saheeb,
I don’t doubt for a second that DS has the skills or the athleticism or the speed to be a stellar running back at CU.
I just haven’t seen it expressed where it needs to be – on the field. Dude can have all the potential in the world on paper and in practice, and he can be a really great guy, but if it never translates… Marcus Houston comes to mind.
Like I said, maybe he’s injured, I really don’t know (but would like to light a fire under Ringo’s hucha: is he or isn’t he?). I hope that’s the reason cuz if it isn’t ep could probably run harder between the tackles.
rodrigo
10/27/2008 3:29:59 PM
phibuff,
That was an absolute classic… I vote you copy and paste everytime ldh appears at the window, pressing his snotty nose against the glass and begging to be let in.
rodrigo
10/27/2008 3:35:58 PM
DS is not the same type of back that Speedy is. Why does everyone keep comparing the 2? Speedy’s success comes from being small, fast, shifty, and strong beyond reason. He sneaks up on defenders after hiding behind the line. DS is bigger and can’t hide anywhere. He needs a strong line to make things happen if he is in a traditional RB slot. That is why, for this year, I suggest moving him out wide to help create things for him. The few times they’ve done it it has worked pretty well. I am just saying do it more often and not only as a gimmick.
If the O-line heals and improves next year like we all expect it to, then Speedy will be even more impressive, DS will show everyone what they hoped to see this year, and Polk will impress too. Heck, Summler and Moyd will impress too! And don’t forget Lockridge! If the line is healthy and everyone who needs to be eligible is, then there is no excuse for CU not to have a ridiculously crazy running game!
I agree with what someone posted earlier about needing to recruit a big WR class this year. We need a good mix of receivers. If we get that then our passing game will be scary too. I think we have a keeper at QB in Hansen and who knows how the incoming guys will do, but I would be shocked if anyone unseated Hansen at this point.
We also need new blood at Safety (lots of top Safeties graduating this year) and always need to build on the O and D linemen pipeline.
Let’s talk football and get away from whining. Whining only attracts nebs.
BuffTime
10/27/2008 3:44:29 PM
I voted last Friday fish. It did indeed feel good. If for no other reason than I can comfortably tune out all the election non-sense until the results come out!
BuffTime
10/27/2008 3:46:35 PM
Hawk did the right thing – for anyone who’s ever really played the sport, when you’re down a bundle and you’re inside the 20 you go for the zone, you don’t kick 3. A field goal doesn’t get you much in terms of points or offensive momentum, but a touchdown gets you both.
Patience folks – we’re young, but will gel, heal, and win very soon. GO BUFFS!
dnsethike
10/27/2008 3:52:09 PM
Also, can someone please tell me who told Josh Smith (aka “J Fly”) that he’s God’s gift to the football field? I’m not denying that he might have some talent and the he could POTENTIALLY be a legitimate threat, but the fact remains that he hasn’t done much of anything. A few nice returns and a few nice receptions doesn’t make you a bad a**. He compared himself to Jeremy Maclin in an article last week – ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Again, the talent to be great may be there, but I have yet to see consistent productions and the big-time results needed to even be mentioned in the same breath as a receiver like Maclin. Prove something Smith before you spout off like you’re the real deal!
RashaanSalaam
10/27/2008 4:04:01 PM
He’s put up decent numbers in spite of his many mistakes. I give him some slack because he looks so out of his comfort zone still. I put his boasting in the “trying to not show the world how out of it he feels” column. He was bashed pretty good by some “fans”. So a little slack is due. He has only been playing football for a few years now. I think he started his junior year of HS or something and this is his first year as a return man ever.
He needs to hit the weight room this off season though for sure. Bulk up a bit and work on his routes and moves he will make it to the next level and play on Sundays.
BuffTime
10/27/2008 4:15:31 PM
Until something drastic happens, the buffzone isn’t worth the already too many key strokes I’ve made.
colokid84
10/27/2008 4:16:46 PM
i think coach hawk needs to close some deal on the recruiting front. i know it was the same deal last year, but i don’t think it is smart sitting back and waiting. we need receivers and secondary personal and so far we have one commit for receiver.
nolanjp
10/27/2008 6:45:01 PM
hi, coach hawkins should have started cody. he didn’t won’t the blame put on his son! poor hansen!
gkups@earthlink.net
10/27/2008 7:18:47 PM
Regardless of the coaching situation…
Our defense has played way above expectations. This is what happens when they have the off-night. Our offense just lacks a couple more o-lineman. Who really thought we would win the north this year? Better to get the growing pains done with now.
Shutouts belong to your backups. Pinkel didn’t give his second stringers any confidence by pulling them on the last series. Now Hawk owes him one. Missouri is our Homecoming game next season on Halloween night. Get your tickets now
buffalo_flyer
10/27/2008 7:33:44 PM
You are wrong Vegas. The Tigers ONLY scored 52 points on the Huskers. BFD, a loss is a loss whether it is 58-0 or 52-17. Both are unacceptable.
Realist
10/27/2008 7:35:55 PM
OK, kids, school’s in session. This is Bill McCartney’s record (bowl games excluded). When would you have fired him?
Year 1Colorado2-8-11-5-1
Year 2 Colorado4-7 2-5
Year 3Colorado1-101-6
Year 4Colorado7-4 4-3
Year 5Colorado6-5 6-1
Year 6Colorado7-4 4-3
Year 7Colorado8-3 4-3
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_McCartney#Record
TallyBuff
10/27/2008 8:03:43 PM
I love it! Now Hawk is being unfair for starting someone other than Cody because Cody should have taken the fall for the game! First it was anybody other than Cody, now it is Cody who should be a sacrificial lamb. Why? Do you think Hansen can’t handle it? Do you think he would have preferred to sit and watch from the bench having just given up his redshirt? Do you think he didn’t want try to win, compete, contribute?
Numnut
BuffTime
10/27/2008 8:16:46 PM
Fish, I think you are underestimating the toxicity of the program that Hawk inherited. He’s needed to do a complete culture change not only within the team, but within the shcool, community and don’t underestimate the change needed in the message being sent to recruits about CU and Boulder.
To simply say that CU had had recent success means that Hawk should be able to turn things around more spectacularly more quickly is ignoring a lot of the facts.
Everyone who brings up coaches who have turned things around in year 1 or 2 are referring to programs loaded with talent that just needed a good coach to get them to succeed. That is the case with OU and Florida earlier on. That was no where near the case at CU in 2006.
Michigan had more talent going into this year than CU had in 2006. They are also struggling mightily. Do you think there fans are passionate and want the success to be immediate? Do you not think that Rich Rodriguez has a big job to do to get things up to par for Michigan? Even he has said that it will take him another couple of seasons to get things going. And he didn’t have all of the issues that Hawk inherited here. Never mind the vast difference in financial resources to work with!
I understand your points. But I think for someone who has talked about having a finance background you are remarkably impatient.
BuffTime
10/27/2008 8:31:26 PM
TallyBuff,
Yes, school is in session. comparing mccartney to hawk is totally different. we have north titles, BXII titles, a national championship, a practice bubble, new locker rooms, nationally televised games, a beatiful campus and town, a fine academic institution and lets not forget the beautiful co-eds we all remember. talk about a college coache’s dream!
cu wasn’t even on the map. hardly the same reality hawk lives.
the expectations have been too low for hawk. a little pressure is good. of course all you momma’s boys wouldn’t understand that. you probably act like a brat when someone applies pressure (…i’m young, i’m new, he’s hurt…only your mom puts up with that crap.)
and i’m over the “well barnett ruined the place” and “he has to rebuild”. guess what buddy, its year 3 and the team looks like garbage. returning players have NOT improved. why did we waste Scott’s redshirt, cause the returning RB’s have not responded to Hawk’s coaching. the returning receivers are lousy too. zero improvement.
get it? Y3 we expect “progress” and all i see is key players not being academically eligible, not improving, or not in shape (DS). and the OC can not put together a game plan built around the talent (i-formation, run the BALL!!!)
please, tell me, what have i missed?
BlackAndGold
10/27/2008 8:39:50 PM
Phibuff: I agree with Rodrigo.
Buffbluffbluster
10/27/2008 9:10:06 PM
Where to start…Amateur Hour at $1,000,000.00 a year. Hawkins has demonstrated his lack of understanding or flagrant disregard for even the most basic of football tenets. This is amateurish and reflects poorly on the hiring process at CU. AD you’re on the hook too. Again, the frenetic QB shuffle, seemingly designed to muddle any objective performance of the QB’s at hand. Lets get all eyes on the ball. Amateurish coaching and bad play calling are poor ingredients for any program.
nycjph
10/27/2008 9:12:25 PM
soup,
winter is coming you can feel it in the air eh?
I am sorely dissapointed in the coaching staff. Hawk has a few more years of grace from me. But not the OC or the ST coach. They appear to lack creativity and some common sense.
The record is what the record is. 4 and 4 at this stage is totally acceptable to me. The peformance from a team standpoint (the coaches responsiblity) is not.
Even though I deplore the 6 and 6 possiblity, I would accept it. I was hoping for progress, meaning 5 and 3 in the big 12.
I feel extremely sorry for the kids. I keep trying to figure out what I am missing here but it always comes back to the coaching period.
soup em up soup. That should be easy now that your are the “the”
go buffs, Ralphie is on your side.
vkberlinn
10/27/2008 9:23:15 PM
Hogwash- what chicken-hawk with his alleged knowledge of philosophy and Zen fails to understand is that tradition is built upon myth, and myth requires a belief in something abstract like a long string of unbroken shutouts regardless how they are achieved. He however has no respect for tradition. Mac new how to build and create myth-like banning the color red anywhere near Folsom Field. The kids bought into it, the fans bought into it and it works. Go to dal ward today and you will see red hats- he himself said Nebraska is just another game-that is not the point man!!!!!!!
After 59points of futility to pretebd that he could actually get 7 points on the board is disingeuous. Stop mollyfying the incompetence puhlease!
cubuffone
10/27/2008 10:27:23 PM
My freshman year was 1978. Endured the pathetic Fairbanks era. Watched Mac rebuild CU from the ashes to a national powerhouse. I think Hawkins has potential to do the same, but do agree he needs to get a little angry and start lighting a fire under his coaches and players. He does seem too passive at this point – not enough intensity to take this team to the next level.
Can he do it? Yes. All he needs to do is make the decision.
Get a little pissed off and start demanding more of his coaches and players. If he does, I believe they will respond and they will learn how to win again. That was the main lesson Mac taught his players at CU – “how to become winners” and eventually “how to become champions”.
If I’m the AD, this is the speach I’d give to Hawkins right now. Get it started now and take the momentum into next year. You have the rest of this year and next to prove you can do it. Otherwise, there are plenty of other great young football coaches out there who would give anything to coach at CU.
cu_1982
10/27/2008 10:42:48 PM
TallyBuff??? how about Tally wacker!! Coach Mac was the D Cord. for a guy named Bo at Michigan who has won a few games, Titles….. Coach Mac has a National Championship at both Michigan and Colorado. His assistant coaching staff speaks for itself (i.e.: Les Miles, Gerry Dinardo, Lou Tepper, Ron Dickerson, Gary Barnett, Jim Caldwell, Ron Vanderlynden, etc.) All became or still are D1, or NFL head coaches!
Coach Hawkins was the only one who had nothing to loose, including a pay increase to come to the B.S. scene in the peoples republic of Boulder. Please understand, no disrespect for Coach Hawk, however, his credentials for a big 12 football coach probably cannot be matched by anyone who has less experience in the history of both the Big 8 and the Big 12. Lets face reality Buff fans, this is the least qualified coach in the history CU football. Period. Oh and by the way, Hawk came in to Boulder after we had a few Big 12 championships, including beating Texas, OU, Neb., as well as a National Championship. Mac came in after the biggest debacle in CU football history, aka, the Fairbanks era. Before you compare Coach Mac with Hawk, I would recommend you learn a little more about the history of CU as well as the quick ride Hawk has had from D2 podunk schools in No. Cal to his ride in Boise, mostly because of his O Cord. who last time I checked is the reason Boise St. is still ranked and has been since Hawk left…… –
bison
10/28/2008 1:47:57 AM
from the denver post. read it. Riddle is an idiot and H is not far behind. So bison you say that we should have hired the OC rather than hawk?
fire riddle and H now.
……Special-teams play had not given Colorado coaches much reason for concern entering the season. But, like other areas of the CU program, things have not gone as planned.
“It’s obviously very frustrating,” CU special-teams coach Kent Riddle said Saturday night after the Buffaloes’ 58-0 loss at Missouri. “We just have to get over the hump of trying and get to succeeding.”
With sloppy special-teams play getting much of the blame, Colorado dug itself a 14-0 hole. An intended squib kick by CU on the opening kickoff didn’t go far enough, and Missouri took over with advantageous field position at its 44-yard line. Four plays later, the Tigers were in the end zone.
On the ensuing possession, Buffs punter Tom Suazo dropped the snap and was swarmed at the CU 5-yard line. Three plays later, Missouri had another TD.
CU gave Suazo his first career “start” rather than regular Nick DiLallo because Suazo had a good week of practice and is considered the better directional punter. The intent was to keep the ball away from Missouri’s All-America returner, Jeremy Maclin.
“Most of the mistakes we’re making are basic-type stuff,” Riddle said. “Going into the game, we weren’t going to let Maclin beat us. But obviously you’ve got to catch punt snaps.” …….
a squib kick and a first career start. Riddle you are need to get in the car with H and get outta here.
You are making hawk look stupid.
vkberlinn
10/28/2008 5:56:28 AM
Hey nepa,
You continue to harp on the QB situation. Its not like yoiur Ganz is some kind of prodigy. What did you expect from Hansen? A Terrel Pryor type of result? Get over it. There are certain growing pains involved. Myself, I would have left the kid in the whole game. A loss is a loss. Get him some P/T!
so he fumbled. He showed some arm strength, something Cody lacks. So cut the crap and go spread your commentary to the farmers.
buffalobilly
10/28/2008 6:31:35 AM
Where’s the best CU QB??
Ballenger has been kidnapped!!!
nepabuff
10/28/2008 7:19:05 AM
I think I would have started Cody, Let him run the first series. Take Hansen off the hook for starting in this game. Let him start vs. A&M
This loss has already washed away and I’m drooling to get at the Aggies
buffalo_flyer
10/28/2008 7:58:19 AM
Of course, Ballenger should get a shot. Why are we continuing to reinvent the wheel. Big strong-armed QB’s are the way to win.
WhosYourDaddy
10/28/2008 9:39:32 AM
especially when even all the players and coaches have already said Ballenger is the most athletic QB on the team.
nepabuff
10/28/2008 9:44:36 AM
Buffalo billy,
I bet cu faitful would take a QB consistently listed in top 15, currently 14th in passing efficiency right about now regardless of his name.
Ganz is completing 70% of passes and has a td to int ratio of over 2:1.
In his 11 starts he has thrown for nearly 3800 yards and is the only QB in NU history to lead Nu to 30 plus points in first 10 of 11 starts.
Regardless of prodigy or not, Whatever the hell that means, I am sure cu would take that now and be happy with it!
Not to darn shabby!
luvdaskers
10/28/2008 10:49:42 AM
I also would like to see Ballenger get the nod for the A&M game.
tonbro
10/28/2008 11:04:35 AM
People just don’t understand how important size is QB play. It’s the same reason you climb a hill to get a better view. QB’s have to be able to see the field in order to be effective.
WhosYourDaddy
10/28/2008 11:58:00 AM
Ok I think someone needs to put Ballingers face on the side of a milk carton as he has been MIA. I re-looked at the UT game, Ballinger had a great drive.
tonbro
10/28/2008 1:33:51 PM
Bison…
I don’t know where you get the info that Hawk is the least qualified coach in CU’s history.
Slick Rick had a mere year as a QB coach under his belt when CU gave him the head coaching job (over Mac’s Bob Simmons recommendation). This was justified to us all at the time because we were sold (by the A.D., among others) on the idea he was the greatest offensive mind to come down the pike…well…ever. We didn’t want to be known as the school who let Rick N. get away.
Dumbest move ever. We could have continued the Mac years under the regime of his assistants if we had chosen more wisely then.
Slick Rick was the least qualified coach ever hired by CU and he took the best team we ever fielded and took it downhill year by year leaving the program a wreck (just like he left Washington).
Barnett is, I think, one of the best guys at getting players to perform at their peak ability and talent level…but he was a poor recruiter and many of the “stars” that he DID get ended up not liking him for whatever reason. He did the best with what he had…but having what he had (in terms of recruits)was his fault.
Hawk is adjusting. Am I happy with things? No. I am one of those old Big 8 Buffs…I want to see us run the option and the I…but I want to win as well. I’ll defer to the experts in what the offense should be. I want to see more fire and passion though (as I have said i several other posts). You have to give Hawk more time, the program was worse off than most people thought.
Finally..I just want to say after lots of watching this Board, that this Nepa character is the worst troll I have ever seen (and obviously not a Buff…no matter what he says) and the attitude of the Board would be unrecognizably better if he switched to trolling another team’s Board.
He’s a cancerous troll, pure and simple, and he lives to get everyone here continually screaming about this or that. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is really more than one entity on this Board.
Proud of yourself buddy? Go manufacture animosity and discontent elsewhere. We can do plenty of this without you.
1980sBuff
10/28/2008 1:34:28 PM
wow, you tried to make 5 points, and are totally wrong about all 5 of them.
nepabuff
10/28/2008 2:19:48 PM
Nepa is a troll wacko.
Inferiority complex coming out of a trailer park.
That is all he is.
siess@cox.net
10/28/2008 2:23:43 PM
posted by the DC themselves today.
11. Colorado (/4-4/1-3) — Nothing I saw from this team at Missouri last week tells me it deserves a better ranking than this. The Buffs are regressing and have no offense in the best offensive conference in the country. Up next: Saturday at Texas A&M
Dr. Seuss, after your numerous incorrect predictions, I’d say football 101 is in order for you.
nepabuff
10/28/2008 2:28:29 PM
BlackAndGold—-what have you missed? Well, I recommend you investigate the Buffs of the 1970s. They were not as bad as you imagine (e.g., how about that #3 ranking, Big 8 title and Orange Bowl?)
Yes, you are absolutely correct that Mac inherited a program in considerably worse shape than Hawk–no dispute there. The point of my post is that nobody in their right mind could have anticipated the turnaround after Mac’s year 3. I was screaming for his head and about wrote off CU football when Marolt extended his contract. And I was WRONG about Mac. And look at his record–it would be several years before he would put the program “on the map,” as they say.
I am sure you are one of those folks who saw the dot com bubble burst coming, knew precisely when the stock market would crash this fall, etc. In fact, I imagine that you predict the future so well you are posting from a yacht off of Tahiti with all of the millions you generate with your prescient foresight.
The point is this: Hawk may fail, but after being so wrong about Mac—whose teams got consistently WORSE for three straight years—I have become a bit patient. You are, undoubtedly, a genius. I am just a simple guy who loves the Buffs and hurts like hell when they play poorly. My confidence in Hawk has definitely dropped, but I am not ready to give up on him. Year five is the big season for me. If they continue to play poorly then, I’ll be right there with you.
TallyBuff
10/28/2008 3:51:07 PM
I suspect that now Ballinger wishes he had stayed in Idaho and gone to Boise State. At least he would be playing for excellent coaches and a winning program.
Realist
10/28/2008 7:51:59 PM
I’ve been a Buff fan longer than most here, and the fact is that the team has regressed, not improved, as the season has gone along. Injuries and youth are part of the problem, but not having them ready to play has to fall on the coaching. I’m not ready to throw coach Hawk under the bus, but he needs to show that he is making them better, not worse, and he has not yet done that.
ventman
10/29/2008 3:20:49 PM
