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Woelk: Hawk knew breakthrough victory was coming

By Neill Woelk (Contact)
Sunday, September 30, 2007

All week long, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins told his Buffs they would beat Oklahoma.

"Every day, every meeting," said Buff lineman Devin Head. "It was like he knew it was going to happen."

Knew it and proved it. Colorado 27, Oklahoma 24, and suddenly the Buffs are once again more than just an afterthought in the world of college football — and Hawkins' critics are suddenly very, very quiet.

Simply, the Buffs are once again relevant.

Need a reference point? Try Oct. 25, 1986, when the 2-4 Buffs knocked off then-No. 3 Nebraska, 20-10, at Folsom Field. The game ended a 19-year losing streak to the Huskers and is considered the turning point for Bill McCartney's program.

This has all the signs of being a similar affair. The Buffs ended a nine-game losing streak to top 10 teams — and guaranteed, it was no fluke.

The Buffs outplayed the Sooners. They beat them in virtually every statistical category. They passed better, ran the ball better and played much, much better defense.

And please, don't say the Sooners gave the game away. Colorado made 14 points worth of mistakes early, the Sooners made 14 points worth of mistakes late. The difference came down to who could move the ball in the end.

The Buffs moved it. The Sooners — still looking for a third-down conversion in the second half — are left wondering how that 24-7 lead melted away.

"We got tired of saying wewere close," said safety Ryan Walters, whose diving interception late in the third quarter may have been the turning point. "It came down to finishing the game, closing the deal.

"It wasn't a matter of believing anything. It was a matter of knowing."

The Buffs knew it.

"It wasn't in a bragging way," said assistant head coach Jeff Grimes, whose offensive line has come a long, long way in five games. "It wasn't like Coach Hawkins was trying to prove he had some sort of crystal ball.

"He just said he knew the conditions were right for us to get that breakthrough win. He had his reasons, and they all made sense. I've known him a long time, and he's just doesn't say things like that. When he does, you listen."

Guaranteed, every player in the Buff locker room will listen closely from here on out.

The list of players who made the difference Saturday is a long one.

Along with Walters' interception was one by Daniel Dykes. Buff redshirt freshman QB Cody Hawkins outplayed his much-ballyhooed counterpart, Sam Bradford. CU running back Hugh Charles, maligned in some quarters for lacking toughness, ground out 110 yards — nearly matching OU's team total of 118 yards on the ground. Linebacker Jordon Dizon had a team-leading nine tackles, including a huge sack of Bradford late in the game.

Forget anyone? Of course. Tight end Tyson Devree, who had a pass bounce off his hands and turn into an interception in the first quarter, came up with a fourth-down touchdown catch in the fourth. Wide receiver Dusty Sprague, part of a much-maligned receiver corps, had the 15-yard game-tying touchdown catch.

Not to leave out kicker Kevin Eberhart, who shook off an earlier miss to calmly boot the game-winning field goal. Not to give short shrift to the entire defense, which sent the nation's highest-scoring team home with tail between legs.

And, let's not forget the punt return of Chase McBride, whose bobbing and weaving put the Buffs in position to drive for the winning field goal.

Oh, there are plenty of others. The entire defense held OU to an astounding 1-for-9 day on third-down tries. The offensive line dominated OU's much-celebrated defensive front.

Then there were CU's coaches, who had an outstanding game plan, starting with defensive coordinator Ron Collins, continuing with O-boss Mark Helfrich and moving right on down the line.

The biggest difference? This week, unlike other close calls of the past, the Buffs made the plays when they were in position to make a difference.

It's what Hawkins has been saying. Eliminate the mistakes and the Buffs could play with anyone. He kept insisting his team was thisclose to getting over the hump.

Now thisclose is a sealed deal. The 2007 Buffs have added to the list of the biggest wins ever at Folsom Field.

"Long, long overdue," said defensive back Terrence Wheatley. "It wasn't just for the players. It's for the school, the program, the alumni ... it's for the history. This is a proud program. We had to restore that pride."

And Hawkins?

Anyone who expected him to be giddy in post-game interviews, anyone who expected him to gush, doesn't know the man. Just like he has every week since his arrival, he warned of staying off the mountain top and out of the valley. He vowed that his team would come to practice today, study their mistakes and continue the process of trying to improve.

"You have to stay the course," Hawkins said. "We have to be able to get back in here, look at what we did wrong and what we did right and get better."

Not that the magnitude of Saturday's win was lost on the head coach.

"Clearly, it's good for your fans, your recruits and your alums to see you be able to play like that," Hawkins said. "It gives everybody confidence. You can't just keep coming close. You have to be able to seal the deal. I think that's a little proof in the pudding for everybody."

Of course, Saturday's win doesn't guarantee anything other than CU fans have one wonderful day to remember this season. It doesn't guarantee a North division title; in fact, it doesn't guarantee even one more win.

But today, Colorado football is once again at least relevant.

That's a huge step forward.

Comments

Posted by hinfinityl on September 30, 2007 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great column, Neill. I'm telling you, WITH BELIEF ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. GO CU!

Posted by NJBuff on September 30, 2007 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SO PROUD TO BE A BUFFALO!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING WIN BOYS!!!!

LETS GO BUFFS!

Posted by WigginsBuff on September 30, 2007 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Suddenly Hawk is a genius, his son as QB being one of his wisest decisions, Bohn is not a dolt, and dreams of flying the coop for the Pac 10 must have come after one too many bong hits.
I hope all posters remember in 5 weeks where their thoughts and hearts are today.
Go Buffs!

Posted by bznBuff on September 30, 2007 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a great Sunday morning to be a Buff - feels like old times. GO BUFFS!

Posted by tellusorbit on September 30, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The most telling statistic of the game and the real reason CU won is this one: total plays, CU 80, OU 46. Having a fresh defense on the field, particularly in the game-winning fourth quarter, made all the difference.

Posted by JBuff on September 30, 2007 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't think I would say this after the schedule came out but the Buffs are 1-0 in the big 12.

Remember our running OC is new and this was his 5th game. It looks like it's starting to come together. Maiva (sp?) might be my MVP. Huge effort and great results.

Now for the trash; I'm glad we have a WAC coach and QB who's 4 foot flat. I'm glad we don't have a coach who's over the hill and costing us huge loss after huge loss. I'm glad the detractors are too yellow bellied chickens to come back and say they were wrong. I'm also glad I'm a Buff, here and now. We're on the rise and anyone who thinks they can beat us by showing up is gonna pay.

By the way, the reason no one know the rules of running sideways in the end zone and taking a knee is no team has ever done that before. That one play is a capsule of the entire game. I've never seen a more chicken play in my entire life. OU thought showing up with OU on their helmut was enough to get the win. I guess not.

Buffs, get ready for Baylor and start 2-0 in the big 12.

Posted by RalphieWyoWyo on September 30, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know what OU fans are saying are the reasons for losing this game? I would be very curious to hear what they are.
When OU had to move the ball we deflected passes and sacked the QB and made him look like the weaker player that supposedly Hawkins was.
They had mental break downs: personal foul, punt returner couldn't catch the ball and fumbled, WR half-assed attempt at catching the ball, gingerly putting up one hand and deflecting it to Walters, who had the heart to dive for it!
GO Buffs! You deserve this! They thought you guys would just lay down for them and quit trying when they got up 24-7

Posted by RalphieWyoWyo on September 30, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Also...you knew it was a great win when another little boy on TV was crying and he had to be consoled by mommy.
Good thing those other losers who post on here live at their moms house, they had their mommy's their to give them a big hug and tell them they love them before they go play world of warcraft to feel better about themselves.

Posted by FrontRange on September 30, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Take the time and enjoy the victory...82-42..not this year, and never again..it is so nice to know the Buffs, albeit down..are never out..The history and legend of the Buffs will always be alive..feed on it..let it carry you..and good things can happen..The heart and soul of this program was planted long ago by former Buffs with one goal...to win and climb the mountain tops that call to us every morning from the plains..keep climbing Buffs, the view just gets better. Go CU!!

Posted by skelley on September 30, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope you heard our screams of joy all the way from Chicago!! Watching it and seeing the kids storm the field took me back to great memories of Boulder.

Way to go, BUFFS!!

Posted by Boulder420 on September 30, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

YEAH BUFFALOES!

Best home victory since 62-36. This is right up there with Michigan, but having it happen at home is the sweetest way!

GO BUFFALOES!!!!

Posted by mturlington on September 30, 2007 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes I too stormed the field when we took out Nebraska, big time, in 2001... it was sweet to see the students on the field again, even from my NC home. Alumni 2002, Go Buffs!! Thanks Hawk

Posted by tellusorbit on September 30, 2007 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Having checked in with Oklahoma City's Sunday Oklahoman for reaction down there to OU's upset loss, one theme that has emerged among Sooner fans is that the team ran out of gas due to Boulder's high elevation. Few want to give CU credit for winning the game as much as they want to find reasons OU lost. But many are saying OU was not prepared to play here and The Oklahoman ran the headline "Into Thin Air" to discuss the surprise loss.

Both teams made their fair share of mistakes, but in the end the simple truth was that OU was outcoached, outplayed, and ultimately, outscored. The thin air may have been a "twelfth man", but CU's refusal to fold after trailing by 17 early in the third quarter, and holding the Sooners to 46 total yards in the second half enabled the team to record its biggest victory since the century began.

Posted by MinnesotaBuff on September 30, 2007 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Finally the days of mediocrity under Barnett seem long gone. What a huge win for every part of our University. T-Wheat said it best "It wasn't just for the players. It's for the school, the program, the alumni ... it's for the history. This is a proud program. We had to restore that pride."

Kai Maiava played like an all Big 12 O-linemen. Big stop after big stop from the defense. Finally a complete game played by the Buffs. Congrats to coach Hawk and all the players. SHOULDER TO SHOULDER!

PS - Anybody seen 2ndBuff. I've got some news to tell him. THE BUFFS ARE BACK TO STAY. Man is this sweet.

Posted by jentrain on September 30, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just have to add that I stayed in Boulder last night after the game and every OU fan I chatted with was gracious in defeat . . . fully acknowledged they were outplayed and outcoached. Maybe they were still too stunned to talk trash, but I was impressed with them . . . no comparison to the hideous Husker fans I can't abide. Stoops was also quoted in the Camera as saying his team was outplayed and outcoached in the second half and called it a "heck of a game." No reference to altitude that I read . . . so psyched for this CU team. They're such good guys and that makes it even sweeter . . . GO BUFFS!

Posted by reallifeshocker on September 30, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i noted near the end of the first half, many a sooner player standing with hands on hips, mouths agape. this was the first sign that they were gassed. maybe the altitude, but maybe the the buffs were the better prepared team overall from a conditioning standpoint. you may be bigger, you may be stronger, but when you are tired, well, all that is moot. i suspect that coach knows, like any elite competitor knows, fitness and conditioning cannot be overemphasized. remeber, "this ain't intramurals". the game lasts one hour, every minute must be played full-out. k-state made that clear to the 'horns, in front of 85k, and in 90 degree heat.

Posted by MarquetteBuff on September 30, 2007 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was sooo impressed with Hawk's interviews after the game. He legitimately KNEW they were going to be able to compete. There was no sense of surprise or elation, only satisfaction.

Cody Hawkins is pretty significantly shorthanded physically, but he makes up for it with leadership, poise, and by throwing accurate, catchable balls. He is a REALLY special kid.

Posted by RIBuff on September 30, 2007 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't really care what their excuse is for the loss. They have traveled to Boulder before and won. There is only one reason they are making excuses...THEY LOST!!!

If they had ekked out a win would they have complained about the altitude? I doubt.

This was particularly sweet to me because the last game I attended before moving out of Colorado (Navy) was the beating of OU and Josh Hype-l.

Posted by rbboulder on September 30, 2007 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This was my first run to field and celebrate game, and I was at the 62-36 win over NU. What a feeling. Everyone high fiveing each other, hugs, cheers, chest bumping, all in good fun. GO BUFFS

Posted by TallyBuff on September 30, 2007 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So sorry I missed it--was in Jacksonville for the FSU-Bama game. But after seeing the highlights in a bar, I got back to my hotel room and Fox was replaying the game: I saw the full 4th quarter. I was in Boulder in '86 when we beat the Huskers and was among the 1st wave of students to hit the field afterward. Seeing the fans storm the field brought that emotion and excitement back!

I thought the Buffs had a chance against the Sooners, but not once they were behind 17-7. That they came back from 24-7, missed a field goal, and kept fighting was amazing. Hawk has intilled that in them and though the fight faded in Tempe we saw it when the Noles were in Boulder. Yesterday they showed that they are further along than I had given them credit for, and I am so delighted to be shown that I was wrong!

Make no mistake, there are lots of things to correct. And we are unlikely to run the tables. But I am very pumped about the Huskers visit in November! :-)

I was at the Georgia game last year and as frustrating as the loss was I felt good about where the program was headed under Hawk. The first four games this year confirmed my confidence despite the 2-2 performance. After the FSU loss I told 2ndbuff and rswright that if Hawk could keep the players believing he would turn this thing around (just like Mac did in the 80s). I just didn't expect him to get such a big win this week. As Hawk told us all, there remains lots of work to do, but wow, what a big step forward!

Ron Prince may have the team to beat in the North (I think Mizzou will be exposed as paper tigers and the Huskers have already been exposed). But if the players in Boulder continue to drink the Kool-Aid, work hard and correct the mistakes, Dan Hawkins just might be putting together the North Division Champions!

Posted by OUBuff on September 30, 2007 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As I suspected, CU has achieved the "others receiving votes" category. It has been a long time since anyone thought CU good enough to vote for. Glad to see it, hope with a win or two more they may actually break in the T25. That would be special. The future is very bright if the effort shown on Saturday becomes the standard. Success breeds success. Recruits can't help but see what is happening.

As for John Major, with interest in CU and OU, think he bought a ticket to the game? I would be suprized if he didn't experience first hand, the excitement going on there.

Posted by oz_in_cali on September 30, 2007 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What happened to buffwinkle-Dr.Tom-2ndBuff and all of the other trolls? They are conspicuously absent. Surprise!
Yesterday's epic win was certainly one of the best I have ever seen. Right up there with Bieniemy fumbling 3 times in one half and scoring 3 in the other at Lincoln back in the day, or Kordell to Westbrook at the big house, and let's not forget 62-36. But before we start fallating each other over what looks to be one of many signature wins for coach hawk and the kids, I think is important to stay focused on what got us to this point. The kids went out this weekend and played their game without worring about the hype or the newspaper or the fans or the name on the front of the oppsing jerseys. They went out and did the best they could to do the best they could, even when for close to 3 quarters that best effort still had them down 24-7. The kid focused on football and in the end the focus on football paid off.
While I am beside myself with pride and feeling good about this game I am also hoping that the players keep that mindset going into next week and each week after that until the end of the season. Lets hope that the guys go to Baylor focused on their best effort and not the fact that it is Baylor. Hopefully they go into next week's game full of "piss and vinegar" (still not sure what that means but it sounds good), and remember the heartbreak of last years game against the bears. I agree with OUBuff when he says that success breeds success, but it is important that success is success only when it is sustained. If the Buffs take the same approach to every game that they took into this one, we may not hear from the trolls at least until thanksgiving weekend, and we will have a great year. If they start getting all happy about this one win, and forget what it took to get it, then we might be back at square one.
GO BUFFS!

Posted by ColoradoPaul on September 30, 2007 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The twelfth man was the crowd not the altitude. What a great day to be a Buff in Folsom. The noise was deafening throughout the 4th quarter when OU was on offense, the crowd never gave. When the team got down the crowd lifted them up. Yesterday the fight song never rang truer, "CU will know no defeat" and "Shoulder to Shoulder" and they fought.

Hell yes. Way to Go Buffs!

Posted by cu_1982 on September 30, 2007 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After a huge win yesterday, I hope and pray the Buffs don't start getting cocky or reading the press too much. They need to stay humble - remember last year and the preceding season-ending loss to Texas - and then play one game at a time.

Then, only then will CU have a chance for a decent season. Having watched CU football since my freshman year in 1978 - man that was almost 30 years ago ..... don't feel that old....anyway - and I have seen the pattern.

CU plays best when it comes in humble and hungry - not proud and cocky.

Go Buffs!!!! Have a great year - one game at a time.

Signed,

CU_1982

Posted by Dizonrocks on September 30, 2007 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now Baylor...Buffs held them to 17 points in regulation last year and this year against the two best opponents they've played, TCU shut them out, Texas A&M held them to 10...if the Buffs defense continues to play lights out (rank #14 nationally in Total Defense), that should continue to bode well for the CU offense...Baylor's #80 in Total Defense...I like the Buff's chances in Waco...
GO BUFFS!!

Posted by phxapex07 on October 1, 2007 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chase McBride reminds me of Jeff Campbell. This season feels like '86.

Posted by halluxvalgus on October 1, 2007 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OUBuff- Colorado received 5 points in the AP poll. Those all came from Stewart Mandel from Sports Illustrated, who voted CU at 21. So now we just need to convince everyone else!

Posted by CABuffalo on October 1, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I LOVE THIS TEAM....

Just watched "We are Marshall"

Different circumstances of course...but there is a parallel...program in the dumps and posts an amazing victory. I'm in Buff heaven right now. Nothing can ruin my week!

2ndbuff, whosyourmommy - you two have no balls whatsoever. MAN UP!

Posted by bouldabuff on October 1, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I gave 2ndBuff the day off so he could stay home and rub a couple out with his tears, poor guy.

Posted by neb_cu_buff on October 1, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HEY EVERYBODY> GO HERE: http://pontiac.com/ncaa?DB_OEM_ID=600 AND vote for Colorado in this weeks Game Changing Performance of the WEEK from ESPN> GO BUFFS!!

Posted by KellDog on October 1, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Boo woo 2nd Troll:

You rant and rave w/ your "CU cant play with the Big Boys" crap And Hawkins cant coach with the Big Boys, blah blah blah.

Now 2 of Hawks teams (Boise & CU) have beat OU in within 5 games of each other; pretty cool. I'd say Hawk is on the right track, just like us loyal CU Buffs have said all-along.

Troll, we'll CU in November at the Folsom House.

dog

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