CU report: Band-Aid kind of year

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

Published November 7, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.

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He Said It

"Offensively, they do a lot of things well. They can run the ball, they have a controlled passing game. . . . When they're hot and clicking, they can move the ball with anybody."

Gene Chizik, Iowa State coach, on a CU offense that is last in the Big 12 Conference in three of four major categories.

Numbers Game

23 forced turnovers puts Iowa State in a tie for sixth nationally in that category.

14 losses in the past 140 games for the Buffs when they outrush their opponent. That includes the Texas A&M game, when CU outrushed the Aggies 194-94. The Buffs are 123-14-3 in such contests since 1989.

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BOULDER — Saying the Buffaloes' 2008 injury list is a bit lengthy is akin to saying the same of War and Peace.

Coach Dan Hawkins says it has been unlike any he ever has been involved with in nearly three decades of coaching.

Historically, he said, his teams have had "very few in-season injuries, particularly practice injuries. Once in awhile a guy (is injured) in a game, but I can't ever remember anything remotely (approaching this). We maybe lost a guy, maybe two guys - but not the slew that we've had."

That "slew" of out-for-the-season players includes three offensive linemen, a cornerback, a linebacker, a defensive end, a tight end, a receiver and a running back. The list doesn't include academic casualties, of which there is another handful.

Shaggy dog story

Count running backs coach Darian Hagan among the walking wounded.

Hagan, wearing a wrap on his right knee, said he was lucky to even be upright after tripping over his Saint Bernard puppy at the top of his unlighted stairs - he didn't deem it necessary to switch on a light, therefore not seeing the dog - and taking 17 steps the hard way.

At the bottom of the stairs, Hagan said, he came to rest with "arms and legs in the air," thinking unkind thoughts about his new pet. After collecting himself and cooling off, he acknowledged, "It was my fault."

Who's No. 3?

Hagan goes into the game Saturday uncertain of his third running back behind sophomore Demetrius Sumler and freshman Darrell Scott. The candidates: Kevin Moyd or Corey Nabors.

Moyd, a junior, has been used occasionally this season but has been sporadic in making the most of those opportunities. Nabors, a walk-on sophomore, recently spoke with Hawkins about his status, among other things, and could get a look Saturday.

Moyd has seven carries (30 yards) this season, Nabors none.

Ignoring the Internet

Scott's status and productivity has been roundly discussed in cyberspace. The player said he pays it no mind: "You can't worry about what other people think."

Of things he can control, he said his knowledge of the offense and the playbook is "clicking now, (becoming) second nature. And I'm starting to get a relationship with the line where I can tell what they're doing and just cut off it (running). That's working, too."

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