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Hawkins predicts 10 wins for Buffaloes

CU coach optimistic about upcoming year despite down season

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

Published December 15, 2008 at 10:58 p.m.

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Colorado coach Dan Hawkins on Sunday night laid out his expectations for next season - 10 wins in 2009.

Photo by Nati Harnik / Associated Press

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins on Sunday night laid out his expectations for next season - 10 wins in 2009.

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Dan Hawkins is raising the bar - significantly - in anticipation of his fourth season as the University of Colorado's football coach.

At the team's annual seniors awards banquet Sunday at a hotel in Broomfield, Hawkins' closing remarks included this forecast for 2009: "10 wins and no excuses."

Framing the context of the remark, Dave Plati, CU's director of athletic media relations, said Hawkins' optimism was based on the coach "seeing a lot of things in place" for the future, as well as a recent conversation Hawkins had with former Buffaloes coach Bill McCartney.

" 'Mac' told him, as only 'Mac' could, 'You're close . . . you're close (to winning),' " Plati said.

Hawkins' third CU team finished 5-7, making his CU record 13-24.

Before being hired by CU, Hawkins went 53-11 in five seasons at Boise State, with his teams winning or sharing four Western Athletic Conference championships. His WAC record was 37-3.

Hawkins' first two CU teams finished 2-10 and 6-7, with the 2007 squad losing to Alabama 30-24 in the Independence Bowl.

This season, the Buffs failed to reach the necessary six wins for bowl eligibility when Nebraska placekicker Alex Henery hit a 57-yard field goal with 1:43 to play in the teams' final regular-season game.

By the time they visited Lincoln, the Buffs were playing with a patchwork offensive line and were minus their leading rusher and two starting safeties - all because of injuries.

All told, CU suffered 10 season-ending injuries, lost another three players to academic ineligibility, had a promising receiver leave the team and wound up fielding one of the youngest squads in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Buffs' final two-deep roster included 27 freshmen or sophomores.

In another football matter, Plati said Colorado State was given approval to use CU's indoor practice bubble on a "need basis" as the Rams prepare for the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday against Fresno State.

"The offer is there," Plati said. "We've always gotten along very well with (CSU's) administration, and I'm sure they would return the favor."

Comments

  • December 16, 2008

    7:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bmac writes:

    I have been expecting a lot from Hawkins, so I hope CU wins big next year. However, I don't see it happening without a good quarterback.

  • December 16, 2008

    7:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    He sure can talk the talk but we've yet to see that he can walk the walk. It would be nice to get more wins and less sound bites next year but I'm not holding my breath. I'm guessing deep down he really regrets leaving Boise State.

  • December 16, 2008

    8:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    skyhigh7 writes:

    Well Hawkins can't use the "We're so young" excuse next year. At Texas, at West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, at Oklahoma State, Nebraska. You gotta beat at least 4 of those teams. Good Luck!

  • December 16, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Willy writes:

    If they can remain healthy I am optimistic. Go Buffs!!!

  • December 16, 2008

    10:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    lovepony0201 writes:

    How many arrests did Danny-boy predict? Did he mention anything about when UC would embarrass the state (again)?

  • December 16, 2008

    12:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    sfbevo writes:

    Who's he playing a quarterback? That's a killer schedule in the Big Twelve to play with a weak armed current quarterback. Unless he has something up his sleave it's going to more of the same.

  • December 16, 2008

    12:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    KP13 writes:

    Lovepony.......

    If your gonna blast the buffs, atleast get the abreviation of the school correct.....

    Its CU slick.......

  • December 16, 2008

    12:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    I agree with the QB thing. Cody is a good kid with a good head on his shoulders, but we need a Big 12 quality QB to win here. I don't know how many times this season he underthrew the receiver on those quick hits to the sidelines. I know it's a 30-40 yard throw in some instances, but he has to be able to make that toss. That, & you have to be able to see over the line.

  • December 16, 2008

    1:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    The QB problem you ask? Be carefull what you wish for, Hawkins does have another younger son...

  • December 16, 2008

    2:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NQ writes:

    Definitely optimistic for next season! As far as QB troubles go... I blame the play calling (or lack of any good play calling) much more than the QB's for this season's results. Once Hansen had his red-shirt off, they should have been ready with a few option plays considering our talent at running back. And Cody is a pretty smart QB when he isn't running for his life on 90 percent of the plays. Healthy O-line helps either QB become way more efficient. GO BUFFS!

  • December 16, 2008

    3:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    justinco writes:

    Cuck FU

  • December 16, 2008

    3:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jason writes:

    2009 schedule
    Colorado St.
    @ Miami, Ohio
    Wyoming
    @West Virginia
    @Texas
    Kansas
    @Kansas State
    Missouri
    Texas A&M
    @Iowa State
    @Oklahoma State
    Nebraska

    I would put the over/under at 6.5

  • December 16, 2008

    3:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    The younger Hawkins kid is a walk on at Boise St...I think.

  • December 16, 2008

    3:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hayduke1 writes:

    I don't know what kind of drugs he's on, but I want some. I hope it's drugs otherwise he's delusional and as such he should not be in charge of trying to instill values in our children.

  • December 16, 2008

    4:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    lovepony0201 writes:

    Check your facts, KP. It's the University of Colorado, and the official charter documents abbreviates it as "UC". CU is actually Clemson. Thanks for taking the bait.

  • December 16, 2008

    4:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

    It will be either a 6 - 6 or a 7 - 5 season.

  • December 16, 2008

    5:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    stewie_08 writes:

    Not that I'm believing what he's saying, but keep in mind they can lose three games under his prediction, not two. They could have a 9-3 regular season then win a bowl game.

  • December 16, 2008

    7:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    10 wins? A killer snow storm in Honolulu has a better chance of happening!

  • December 16, 2008

    9:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    localyokal writes:

    lovepony0201, aren't you the slick one. I hope I never have a battle of letter positioning with you. Is that enough attention for ya? GO Hawkins, GO CU.

  • December 17, 2008

    12:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    troopermsu writes:

    10 wins? Sure - combined in the next two seasons.

  • December 17, 2008

    1:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ruffryde997 writes:

    i am probably one of the biggest CU fans around but 10 wins aint happening unless we pull of some miracle wins. i predict that Texas, West VA and Oklahomo State are all definite losses so that means a Bowl victory

    the biggest issues we need to stay on top of:
    Better QB protection
    Better QB, no more Hawkins hes smart but weak arm and too small, we would have beat Florida State this year if he had completed some of those passes
    and Keep our guys HEALTHY, injuries definitely killed us this year

    i predict an 8-5 season (with a bowl win)

  • December 17, 2008

    6:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life1 writes:

    Is Hawkins putting his job on the line if he does'nt deliver again? Is he going to resign if they have another 6 win season? This is his 4th year there, these should all be his recruits at this point, there is no one else to blame anymore. Your guys, your system,your job! Shut up and deliver some wins!

  • December 17, 2008

    4 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Iceman7 writes:

    10 wins and the Easter bunny will be Santa Clause this year.
    find a quarterback that can throw the ball pass 40 yds. Hawk..