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Attendance record set at CU game

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 19, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.

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BOULDER – Maybe the only surefire way to attract 50,000 to a University of Colorado spring football game would be inviting the Kansas basketball team to play an intrasquad game at halftime.

With that ploy apparently not considered, CU came up short of its ambitious attendance goal Saturday. But did it really matter? Not a bit.

The estimated 17,800 soaking in the spring sunshine at Folsom Field still set a school attendance record and were treated to a 90-play glimpse of the Buffaloes in their no-huddle, up-tempo offense and a defense leaning more and more toward a four-linebacker look.

Coach Dan Hawkins, who spent the first half on the defensive sideline before switching for the second half, called the afternoon’s work, ``OK . . . there were no turnovers, and hopefully nobody was hurt (seriously).’’

He called the fan turnout, which eclipsed CU’s spring record of 13,642 set in 1989, ``great – really fun. It helps the players; they got energized by it. It was a great day. We just have to keep building and going.’’

For those craving a score, it was Black 28, Gold 17. A peek behind those numbers:

STATS OF NOTE: Passing – Cody Hawkins, 15-of-22, 185 yards, two TDs; Nick Nelson, 10-of-17, 133 yards, one TD; Matt Ballenger, 5-of-6, 65 yards, one TD. Rushing – Demetrius Sumler, 11-43; Kevin Moyd, 9-30. Receiving – Patrick Devenny, 5-78; Cody Crawford, 4-39, one TD; Markques Simas, 4-34. Tackles – Marcus Burton, 10 (six unassisted); Bryan Stengel, seven (six unassisted); B.J. Beatty, six (five unassisted). Scoring – Moyd, 25 pass from Hawkins; Jason Espinoza, 19 pass from Ballenger; Patrick Williams, 19 pass from Nelson; Simas, 36 blocked punt return; Anthony Wright, 11 blocked punt return; Crawford, 8 pass from Cody Hawkins; Aric Goodman, 44 field goal.

HE’S EXTENDED: Dan Hawkins will enter his third season at CU with a contract extension. After negotiations that began several months ago, Hawkins and athletic director Mike Bohn have agreed in principle to a deal that will keep Hawkins as the Buffs coach through 2012. He signed a five-year contract in December 2005 that pays him about $1.2 million annually.

STARTER SET? If the Buffs played today – and they don’t until Sept. 1 against Colorado State in Denver – Cody Hawkins (surprise) would be the starting quarterback, according to offensive coordinator/QB coach Mark Helfrich.

But once fall camp begins, Helfrich, head coach Dan Hawkins and the offensive staff won’t waste much time naming a No. 1.

``Whether it’s Day 1, 3 or 5, I don’t know,’’ Dan Hawkins said. ``But we’re not going three weeks without naming a starting quarterback.’’

Cody Hawkins said it was ``possible’’ that 2007 backup Nick Nelson or redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger could overtake him before the opener. He said he needs to continue to work hard during the summer and exert his leadership skills.

``I always feel those two guys are pressing me,’’ he said. ``But I’m pressing myself, too.’’

GIMME A `D’: Coordinator Ron Collins believes once his unit gets all able hands on board, he’ll field a respectable defense.

``We got a lot of stuff put in (and) our young guys got a lot of reps,’’ he said of a spring cram session against the offense’s no-huddle, up-tempo look. ``We got to work with a lot of guys (due to injuries).’’

As for having four linebackers on the field more often than not, he said, ``We’re just trying to find our best 11 guys, I don’t care who they are. If it’s six linebackers, five linebackers, four linebackers – it doesn’t matter.’’

Senior defensive tackle George Hypolite took the 4-3 speculation a step further: ``I don’t care if we’re playing a 1-10, I’m excited about what we’re doing.’’

BLOCK PARTY? Many fans no doubt left Folsom Field wondering if the Buffs emphasized punt protection at all during spring drills. Sure they did – but also emphasized was blocking punts, and that’s what showed up during the final two scrimmages.

After two punts were blocked in the previous week’s scrimmage, another pair fell victim to that unmistakable thud Saturday.

Incumbent punter Matt DiLallo’s third attempt of the afternoon was blocked by Jimmy Smith and run in for a TD by Simas. Backup punter Tom Suazo also had a punt blocked by Crawford – his third in the last two scrimmages – and returned for a score by Wright.

So tell us, special teams coach Kent Riddle, what gives? A major point of emphasis this spring has been to block more punts, and those smothered this week and last came against scout team personnel, or, in Riddle’s words, ``guys who will never, ever’’ see the field as punt protectors.

Dan Hawkins said he and Riddle ``are used to seeing six, seven, eight punts put on the ground during a season. We’ve had two (blocks) here in two years.’’

On the kicking/placement front, Riddle said Jameson Davis and Aric Goodman would battle into August camp. ``They both need work,’’ Riddle said.

Of Davis’ kickoffs reaching the back of the end zone a couple of times, Riddle noted, ``Mason (Crosby) is in a class by himself, but Jameson is in the right ball park.’’

WELCOME BACK: Simas, a redshirt freshman, didn’t have a reception in the first two spring scrimmages. Saturday, he caught four passes for 34 yards and returned his blocked punt 36 yards for a touchdown.

Receivers coach Eric Kiesau said Simas and the entire receiving corps ``had a good day . . . he had an opportunity to make plays, and he took advantage.’’

With the new-look offense and its need for speed between plays, Kiesau won’t use personnel groupings as much as previously. ``It’ll be a lot less,’’ he said, ``but it won’t be cut out entirely.’’

Still, going without a huddle and running plays as quickly as possible will put a premium on substitutions. And Kiesau wants to have his best players ``out there in the flow. This is going to be a good offense for us.’’

TAKING IT IN: Among Saturday’s spectators was running back signee Darrell Scott. The Buffs’ top recruit arrived in Boulder late Friday night and will return to California Sunday.

He said he liked what he saw in the scrimmage: ``They played well, but I couldn’t really see the game.’’

That was because once Scott was recognized by fans, the stream of autograph seekers and well-wishers was steady.

He said he will return to Boulder for the summer on June 14, and is looking forward to it. ``I just want to get back out here and start competing for a starting job,’’ he said.

Scott, the nephew of CU sophomore receiver Josh Smith, spent a large part of the afternoon accompanying prospect Jarrod Darden, a receiver from Fort Worth, Texas.

``We need him,’’ Scott said.

DOWN A LAZY RIVER: Dan Hawkins’ summer itineraries have included skydiving, swimming with sharks and training for a marathon he didn’t run.

This summer’s plan: ``I’m going to paddle down the Amazon.’’

He said it would be part of a family trip in July, adding, ``Yeah, and probably a big anaconda will wipe out the whole family.’’

PRACTICE, PRACTICE . . . : CU’s newest buffalo mascot, Ralphie V, debuted Saturday and proved to be almost too much for her handlers. Her pre-kickoff run went smoothly, but on her round-the-field trip before the second half, she nearly trampled a handler who tripped, then pulled away from all but one of the remaining three.

After a short standoff in front of the west stands, her handlers regrouped and directed the 750-pound buffalo to her waiting trailer.

Of the nearly trampled handler, Dan Hawkins shuddered and said, ``Almost an ESPN highlight. It would have made the top 10.’’

INJURY STATUS: Missing Saturday’s work were safeties Joel Adams (shoulder), Bret Smith (knee) and Ryan Walters (shoulder); cornerback Benjamin Burney (multiple surgeries); snapper Justin Drescher (undisclosed illness); defensive end Drew Hudgins (Achilles tendon); tailback Brian Lockridge (sports hernia); and defensive tackle Brandon Nicolas (shoulder).

All except Burney (out for 2008) and Smith (out mid- to late-September) are expected to return for August camp. Dan Hawkins said Burney’s status would be left open, but added, ``He’s kind of like a ’66 Rambler; there’s a lot of things to get worked on.’’

DATES TO REMEMBER: Players are scheduled to report on Aug. 3, with the first practice set for the following day or Aug. 5. The first practice in full pads is Aug. 9.

The Big 12 Conference’s annual preseason media briefing will be July 21-23 in Kansas City. Representing CU will be Dan Hawkins and defensive tackle George Hypolite, center Daniel Sanders and Walters – all seniors.

Comments

  • April 20, 2008

    3:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    I did get this story's lede. What in the world does basketball in Kansas have to do with football at Colorado? It's not even a stretch. More like it came out of far left field.

  • April 20, 2008

    3:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    I meant I didn't get this story's lede ...

  • April 22, 2008

    2:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffalo_flyer writes:

    Cody will be the starter (surprise).

    Looks like the RMN is back to its anti-CU stance as that statement surely smacks of alleged nepotism

    what a rag, this town needs a real newspaper

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