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Hawkins, Buffaloes getting that unfamiliar feeling

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 21, 2006 at midnight

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BOULDER - If Dan Hawkins is out of sorts from Saturday through the end of the year, here's one reason: For the first time in five seasons, the football team he's coaching won't be preparing for a bowl game.

Not only that, with Friday's finale at No. 23 Nebraska, Hawkins' Colorado Buffaloes will conclude a season that few saw coming - at least not to the extent of it yielding only two wins and nine losses.

During the past five seasons as Boise State's coach, Hawkins was left out of the postseason picture only in 2001, when the Broncos finished 8-4.

Before that, his previous bowl-less holiday season was in 1998, the first year he joined former coach Dirk Koetter's Boise State staff.

Hawkins said Monday he is "already preparing myself for withdrawal symptoms, which I'm sure won't be easy. . . . It will not be a whole bunch of fun staying at home for the holidays."

It will be more difficult on the 2007 Buffs, who won't benefit from this year's missed postseason practices. As well as preparing for their bowl opponent, most coaches - excluding those targeting a national championship - use the postseason work as a spring practice prelude for returning players.

Bowl practices, Hawkins said, are "good in a lot of ways - good for your young guys, good for your fans."

On the flip side, preparing for a bowl game and firming up a recruiting class before national signing day in February burns coaches' candles at every end.

"You've got two things going on full bore at the same time, and that's always hard," Hawkins said, but not minding the multitasking.

CU won't play in a bowl for only the fifth time since 1984.

The Buffs' previous bowl-less season occurred in 2003 (5-7), and before that, it was 2000 (3-8).

CU went to bowls in five of former coach Gary Barnett's seven seasons, including his first (1999, Insight.com Bowl, 7-5 finish after a 62-28 rout of Boston College).

Although there are more glamorous destinations, Friday's game in Lincoln (1:30 p.m. MST, KMGH- Channel 7) will have to suffice as the Buffs' bowl trip - and that's how players are viewing it.

"Basically, it is," said senior linebacker Thaddaeus Washington, noting this week is the final one together for him and 23 fellow seniors. "We just have to go out and make the most of it."

Hawkins also is hopeful of ending a disappointing season on a high note and providing a push for 2007.

"That thing is always big, no matter who you're playing (last)," he said.

"I've been through quite a few seasons where we've lost the last game. . . . It lingers with you.

"You can't shake it until you get going again.

"(Winning) can be a catalyst for your offseason program."

LIMPING TO KANSAS CITY? What's CU-Nebraska week minus an inflammatory quote?

CU running backs coach Darian Hagan provided this season's, telling Boulder's Daily Camera last week, "We're going to go in there with fire in our eyes and try to hit them in the mouth and kick their butt. So when they go in there two weeks from now and play in the Big 12 Championship game (Dec. 2 in Kansas City, Mo.), they're going to be limping in. That's our goal."

Asked on Monday's Big 12 Conference coaches teleconference if Hagan's quote had made it to Lincoln, Cornhuskers coach Bill Callahan said, "Who said that? That's the first I've heard of that. . . ."

Callahan then said he never has responded to such statements and remains "focused on what I can control."

GIVE ME A HINT: Nebraska's staff includes former CU assistants Shawn Watson (first year in Lincoln) and Ted Gilmore (third).

Frequently repositioned Buffs quarterback Bernard Jackson was asked if Watson's knowledge of Jackson and other CU personnel provided Nebraska with an edge.

Not much, said Jackson, citing this season's system changes.

He then asked, "What'd I play last year?"

ETC.: Hawkins said redshirt freshman Matt DiLallo will open at punter, while senior Mark Fenton will make his first start since the game against Georgia on Sept. 23 at center. Fenton, who has recovered from a broken right fibula, returned Nov. 11 against Iowa State . . . Also scheduled to start is senior guard Jack Tipton, who performed well in place of Edwin Harrison (ankle injury) against the Cyclones . . . The visiting team has won the past four games in the series . . . CU has suffered a 10-loss season only three times in 117 years of football . . . The Buffs have lost 13 consecutive games against ranked opponents.

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