INSIDE SLANT
Dan Hawkins was absolutely correct when he said he was “fortunate” to retain his coaching position at Colorado for the 2010 season.
He said so following a 28-20 defeat against Nebraska, in which breakdowns again cost the Buffaloes, who finished 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12.
The bottom line at Colorado proved to be the bottom line. Hawkins would have been owed more than $3 million in buyout compensation had he been fired. Colorado did not want to spend that kind of money with its athletic department swimming in red ink and job cuts recently enforced on campus.
Hawkins needs to make the most of the opportunity, but questions abound whether he can. The Buffs often committed dreadful mistakes, sometimes missing assignments that led to big plays by opponents, sometimes committing foolish penalties, and sometimes losing too much yardage by failing to execute offensively.
In the last game against the Big 12 North champion Huskers, the Colorado defense allowed just 219 yards. But the Buffs allowed two non-offensive touchdowns and broke down too many times offensively and in the kicking game.
Players can attempt to take blame, but the problems fall on the coaching staff.
So far, Hawkins’ greatest strength came from addressing the behavioral issues that rocked Colorado with scandal before his arrival. His disciplinary measures have curbed those problems, but on the field, the Buffs have gone 16-33 under Hawkins and failed to reach the postseason three of four seasons.
Some proven talent exists to build hope for 2010. Quarterback Tyler Hansen needs to mature, but can draw on starting experience as a junior. Wide receivers Markques Simas and Scott McKnight are both dependable, plus running back Rodney Stewart is capable of gaining 100-plus yards against any Big 12 opponent after denting Nebraska for that many. Defensively, three of the top five tacklers return off a unit that improved dramatically in conference play.
Unfortunately for the Buffs, these are players who don’t know how to win. They don’t know how to cope with pressure. They don’t know how to play smart and avoid mistakes.
The challenge is huge for Hawkins, but he’s got another year. He needs to show his thanks by getting to work on necessary adjustments, whether it requires changes on his staff, his tendencies or his coaching techniques.
NOTES, QUOTES
Game Of The Year: Colorado 34, Kansas 30—After playing decently against No. 2 Texas a week earlier, the Buffaloes returned home and edged Kansas, a preseason pick by many to win the North Division. As it turned out, both the Buffs and the Jayhawks struggled, so the victory became far less significant as the season wore on. Still, it provided a jolt of confidence since QB Tyler Hansen engineered the victory in his first start and the defense came through with some late heroics.
Players Of The Year:
WR Scotty McKnight—Finished with 76 receptions for 893 yards, marks that rank second and seventh all-time at Colorado. He stands second on the Colorado career receptions chart with 165 and needs just three catches to break the record set by Michael Westbrook from 1991-94. McKnight ended the season with a 56-yard touchdown grab on the last play of the Nebraska defeat.
TB Rodney Stewart—Considered the third-best back in the 2008 recruiting class, Stewart separated himself as a freshman and continued to emerge as a sophomore. Stewart closed the season with the eighth 100-yard game of his career, gaining 110 yards on 21 attempts against Nebraska.
CB Cha’pelle Brown—A leader in the secondary, Brown joined LB Jeff Smart this season as Buffaloes to crack the 250 mark in career tackles. Brown, a senior, closed his career with 10 unassisted tackles, including two for loss and one sack, in the Nebraska loss.
Fast Forward: Dan Hawkins was tossed a life line from the Colorado administration, but he better make the most of it in 2010. The Buffaloes have suffered four consecutive losing seasons under Hawkins, who was highly successful at Boise State, yet has not been a good fit at the BCS level. Key offensive contributors return, including QB Tyler Hansen, RB Rodney Stewart and WR Scotty McKnight, but the Buffs need better play up front and must avoid mistakes executing plays, as well as penalties. Defensively, the Buffs improved throughout conference play, but lose four seniors, including the leadership of LB Jeff Smart and CB Cha’pelle Brown.
Recruiting Trail: At the close of the season Colorado had 11 commitments for the 2010 class and was ranked 60th nationally by Rivals.com. The highest-ranked pledge was Mister Jones, a running back from Littleton, Colo., who drew attention from several schools, including many Big 12 rivals. One quarterback, 6-4 Munchie Legaux of New Orleans, was on the list.
Quote To Note: “Clearly, we didn’t win as many games as we would like. I was not disappointed in their effort or their attitude. But clearly, you want to win more games.”—Colorado coach Dan Hawkins.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Players To Watch In 2010: QB Tyler Hansen—Actually, this is a two-pronged outlook that also involves QB Cody Hawkins, the starter Hansen replaced after shredding his sophomore redshirt in game five. Both quarterbacks need to perform more consistently, although Hansen provides more upside with his rushing skills.
WR Markques Simas—Came on late in the season to become the consistent threat Colorado needed to team with possession receiver Scotty McKnight. Simas, a sophomore, closed the season with three 100-yard performances in the last four games, including 31 receptions over that span.
PK Aric Goodman—The Wyoming transfer was just 10-for-18 on the season as he struggled down the stretch and cost Colorado opportunities in the Nebraska game. His longest boot was from 54 yards.
Pro Prospects:
TE Riar Geer—The 6-4, 250-pound prospect has the hands and the size to at least get a look from an NFL team. Playing in the Colorado offense, he’s also accustomed to being used as a blocker.
LB Jeff Smart—He is a sound tackler, but probably lacks the size (6-0, 220) to be a regular contributor at the next level. Worth taking a look at, however, in camp.
CB Cha’pelle Brown—He learned ways in college to compensate for his 5-7 frame, although the NFL offers a much different challenge.
Roster Report:
• DT Curtis Cunningham was the only Colorado player listed on the injury report distributed after the Nebraska game. He suffered a knee strain.
• TB Darrell Scott was the most significant defection at Colorado during the 2009 season. He informed the CU staff on Nov. 3 that he was going to return to California and be closer to his uncle, Josh Smith, another former Buff who left last spring.
• DE Nick Kasa missed the last four games while recovering from mononucleosis and an enlarged spleen. It’s unlikely the freshman could attain a medical hardship since he played in midseason games.
