CU scouting report

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

Published August 28, 2008 at 6:55 p.m.

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Three questions for Dan Hawkins

1 What is the strength of your team?

"I think if you're looking for something tangible, it probably would be in the D-line, particularly because of George (Hypolite) and Brandon (Nicolas). The intangible part of it is our chemistry."

2 How would you rate your schedule?

"Very tough, very tough. But you know, also, it's very gratifying. I'm looking forward to playing all those teams. Open with the (Colorado State) Rams, and Eastern Washington had a great playoff run last year, so there'll be a lot of excitement."

3 What would you consider a successful season?

"Wow. I just want to get better. I think I want to get better in the off-field stuff, the eligibility stuff, continue to grow our leadership. . . . Everybody wants more wins than losses, and so do I. But I want to see things that are conducive to winning. We've got to not turn the ball over, we've got to run it better and stop the run - get better in statistical categories like that."

Preseason report card

* RUSHING OFFENSE: The Buffaloes have been average in the Big 12 Conference the past two seasons (172.9 yards rushing in 2006, 144.2 in 2007) - numbers not pleasing to third-year coach Dan Hawkins. The climb from the middle of the pack could begin this season with an offensive line taking shape under running game coordinator/line coach Jeff Grimes and the arrival of freshmen tailbacks Darrell Scott, Rodney "Speedy" Stewart and Ray Polk. But sophomore Demetrius Sumler vowed not to be overshadowed by the newcomers and lived up to that. He'll start in the opener. Grade: C

* PASSING OFFENSE: CU made a dramatic ascent, going from 116th nationally in 2006 to 54th in 2007 under new starting quarterback Cody Hawkins. Still, there's fine-tuning to be done, especially in decreasing turnovers. Hawkins threw 17 interceptions (to 22 touchdown passes) and was ninth in the league in passing efficiency. Three of his top four receivers - Scotty McKnight, Patrick Williams, Josh Smith - are back, and Stewart offers a boost out of the backfield. Knee surgery will sideline tight end Riar Geer for at least two games, lifting Patrick De- venny and freshman Ryan Deehan. Grade: B

* RUSHING DEFENSE: The Buffs were efficient run stoppers in 2007, allowing only 128.0 yards a game. But a big reason was graduated linebacker Jordon Dizon, among the national leaders in tackles (12.5 a game). Another playmaker - former walk-on Jeff Smart is highly capable and junior-college transfer Shaun Mohler is highly touted - needs to step up. Quickly. Senior tackles George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas and senior end Maurice Lucas form a formidable front, and senior safeties Ryan Walters and D.J. Dykes are sure tacklers. Freshman safety Patrick Mahnke will play. Grade: B-plus

* PASSING DEFENSE: Can you say annually suspect? Since 2003, the Buffs have ranked 114th, 105th, 87th, 94th and 73rd against the pass, so 2007 stands as a relative high-water mark. But CU must break in two new starting cornerbacks (probably Gardner McKay and Cha'pelle Brown), which isn't comforting in a league brimming with bona fide playmakers at quarterback and receiver. Plus, it has been a while since the Buffs generated a consistent pass rush (20 quarterback sacks last season, tied for ninth in the Big 12) without sacrificing coverage. Grade: C

* SPECIAL TEAMS: Newcomers Aric Goodman (placekicking) and Jameson Davis (kickoffs) will handle the kicking roles, and Matt DiLallo is an experienced, if not entirely consistent, punter (35.8 average). The Buffs made needed strides in the return games, rising from 104th nationally in 2006 to 38th in punt returns and 95th to 29th in kickoff returns. Both areas were points of heavy emphasis in Dan Hawkins' second year and will be again as he counts on the swift Smith, McKnight, Dykes and possibly Scott as returners. Jason Espinoza (broken collarbone) is sidelined. Grade: B

Depth chart

OFFENSE

Pos. Starter (Backup) | Comment

QB Cody Hawkins (Matt Ballenger) | Hawkins' mantra: ball security.

TB Demetrius Sumler (Kevin Moyd) | But keep an eye on Darrell Scott.

FB Maurice Cantrell (Jake Behrens) | Cantrell's capable when called on.

WR Patrick Williams (Scott McKnight) | Williams' mantra: Stop the drops.

WR Josh Smith (Cody Crawford) | Smith, aka "J-Fly," does just that.

TE Patrick Devenny (Ryan Deehan) | Riar Geer out for at least two games.

LT Nate Solder (Ethan Adkins Solder) | is a force in the making.

LG Devin Head or Shawn Daniels) | Competition remains fierce.

C Daniel Sanders (Keenan Stevens) | "Girthy" has become a solid center.

RG Blake Behrens or Max Tuioti-Mariner) | Both guard starters could change.

RT Ryan Miller (Matthew Bahr) | Miller: On the fast track to stardom.

PK Aric Goodman (Jameson Davis) | Goodman was "Money" in camp.

DEFENSE

Pos. Starter Backup Comment

LE Maurice Lucas (Conrad Obi) | Lucas should be a prime-timer.

DT George Hypolite (Taj Kaynor) | "Hypo" plays/talks with best.

NT Brandon Nicolas (Eugene Goree) | Nicolas nice complement to Hypolite.

RE Jason Brace (Marquez Herrod) | Good preseason camp elevated Brace.

MLB Jeff Smart (Michael Sipili) | Smart is that - and extremely tough.

WLB Marcus Burton (Shaun Mohler) | Burton's fast, and a solid 260 pounds.

SLB Brad Jones (B.J. Beatty) | Jones brings athleticism, experience.

LCB Cha'pelle Brown (Jalil Brown) | Jalil also is No. 1 nickel back.

RCB Gardner McKay (Anthony Wright) | McKay's goal: Play the run stronger.

FS Ryan Walters (Anthony Perkins) | Walters' goal: Stay injury-free.

SS Daniel Dykes (Patrick Mahnke) | Dykes made 12 starts in 2007.

P Matt DiLallo (Tom Suazo) | Consistency still eludes DiLallo.

Outlook

7-5 Season 3 under Dan Hawkins finds the Buffs ahead of schedule in most areas, particularly on offense. But a typically unforgiving schedule offers a handful of swing games that might mask CU's improvement.

• August 29, 2008

  10:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  loganthegreat writes:

  BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...14-0!!!!!!

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