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Woelk: Hawk, Buffs not ready to panic yet
No time to panic. Not yet.
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- Woelk: Easy way out apparently not Scott's way
- Woelk: MSU loss necessary hard lesson for Buffs
- Saturday showdown for Heisman
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Even with a disappointing effort vs. Florida State in the rear view and No. 5 Texas dead ahead, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said Tuesday that it's business as usual with the Buffs.
Doesn't matter that his quarterback is coming off one his worst performances as a Buff starter. Doesn't matter that in the span of a week, he's lost two offensive linemen and up next is a team with a fearsome pass rush. Doesn't matter that his team is young, doesn't matter that CU's schedule is among the toughest in the nation, doesn't matter that the FSU game exposed a few more chinks in the Buffs' defensive armor.
Hawk knows excuses are about as popular as Wall Street bailouts these days. The reason behind the problems might be up for debate, but what's unanimous is that folks want 'em fixed.
There will be no alibis emanating from the Dal Ward Center.
"We have to keep on growing and keep on going," Hawk said at his weekly Tuesday press conference. "Just because we lost a game doesn't mean the sky is falling.
"We're definitely going in the right direction."
There are those who might dispute that claim after the loss in Florida State. After winning three in a row to start the season, the Buffs kicked themselves in the teeth.
Now fans want a new quarterback, a new offensive game plan, a better defense and, while we're at it, the special teams coach's head on a platter.
But just like the guy at Little Big Horn who couldn't believe his luck because he finally knew where all the Indians were, Hawkins even sees a bright spot in all the criticism.
"I think it's awesome that we're 3-1, we've beaten one of the best football teams in the country with a HeismanTrophy candidate, and people are going, 'What's wrong with your football team?'
"I think that's great."
Translation: If expectations for the program weren't growing, nobody would have been upset after the FSU loss.
Indeed, expectations for CU's program have expanded a little faster than many anticipated this year. When the season began, most folks would have been satisfied with a 3-1 start -- which is exactly where the Buffs are.
But now the reality of CU's schedule is kicking in. That is fifth-ranked Texas dead ahead, and a trip to No. 16 Kansas a week later. If that's not enough, don't forget a trip to No. 4 Missouri just three weeks away.
No doubt, CU's 3-1 start could be nothing but a faint memory if the Buffs don't fix a few of their problems soon.
But the reality is some of CU's issues won't -- make that can't -- be fixed overnight. Injuries aren't miraculously healed, and there's absolutely no quick fix for a lack of experience.
There are, however, some places the Buffs can improve, and they need to do it in a hurry if they're going to survive this stretch.
For starters, QB Cody Hawkins has to play smarter football. Nobody's asking young Hawk to win games on his own -- but they are asking that he make plays when they come his way.
We're not ready to give up on the QB after one bad game. He's made enough good plays this season to show the ability is there.
Still, if last weekend's performance turns into a trend over the next couple of weeks, it will be reason to worry.
Every player has the occasional bad game. Same for every team, and last week certainly filled the bill in that category.
But, the Buffs are still 3-1 today, and coaches of 3-1 teams don't change quarterbacks. If the Buffs are 3-5 a month from now -- and quarterback play is the biggest reason -- there will be legitimate cause to wonder whether Dan Hawkins should be considering a change, or at least considering the possibility of getting one of his young QBs some meaningful playing time.
Meanwhile, you can continue to take measure of this team on a game-by-game basis -- and that No. 5 freight train coming to Boulder on Saturday is the kind of measuring stick that will leave precious little room for error.
Posted by Ralphie2 on October 1, 2008 at 5:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's get after Texas!
GO BUFFS!!!
Posted by nepabuff on October 1, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At least he has a dozen excuses for the upcoming slaughter at the hands of Mack daddy in Texas.
Posted by smokey on October 1, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nepa, who in the top 10 are the corn slugs going beat this year?
Is coming to this board your best option for ignoring the crushing Mizzou will lay on you guys?
Posted by smokey on October 1, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nebraska fans are pathetic.
Posted by buff4ever on October 1, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, we are looking forward to MU visiting the worst place on earth this weekend. It will be a route of biblical proporations by Mizzou. Anyone from NU wanting to post on our board is fine with me since I love watching them get pummelled, which will occur this week.
Keep talking the trash NU fans. We are going to enjoy watching the scores for your team the next several weeks after having played the womens schools.
Last week was their 1st game with a BCS school, play them at home, national TV and they look like crap.
Maybe next year NU can schedule 10 home games and have a better record.
How about that power running game and the blackshirts also, they are awesome!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on October 1, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neill - Thank you for finally saying it: if Cody doesn't improve he must go!
Of course, this team is likely to be 3-5 in a month. You have supported Cody from day one but it's clear you are laying the foundation to call for a new QB.
We all know we were very lucky to beat EWU and that win bought Cody just a little more time. But the next four weeks will prove that Cody cannot compete with the elite athletes at the D-1 level.
Posted by nepabuff on October 1, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"One bad game"???
CU's QB is 9th in the big 12 in yards passing.
But CU's QB is 3rd in passes attempted?
But CU's QB is 12th in Yards average per pass among starting QB's in the big 12?
CU's QB does hold the #1 spot for interceptions, yards lost and sacks though.
Predictable one dimension football.
Cody under center = run
Cody in shotgun = pass
Posted by tombo3 on October 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neill - love your writing because you usually don't sugarcoat. "One bad game?" Did you see the EWU game with a an easy pick returned for a TD and an overthrow of an open Cody Crawford down the seam? I'm not sure Cody has truly had one good game this season. Are we to be content with mediocrity at the position?
Posted by homeontherange on October 1, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll still take Cody! Cody got hit late on one of the first possesions in the game. I think he got his bell rung a bit, and that can seriosly affect his performance. I think it did. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he does have all the intangibles. Plus the kid is a quality human being, a positive contributor to society. I don't care if he doesn't throw another TD. I'd rather watch him play than some spoiled rotten, stuck up, kid with an attitude. I'll take Cody over Chase Daniel, Todd Reesing, Joe Ganz, and most of the big 12 qbs, for example.
Posted by homeontherange on October 1, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow,
who's your daddy came out of retirement for this one! And at the same time we are honored with Nepa's presence. In a minute he'll log on as Tal, or Dr.tom too!
Posted by SnowBuff on October 1, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cody under center = Run? Really? what about the TD?
Posted by homeontherange on October 1, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now another alternative personality in tombo3 (tom and bo).
Did you guys see Pelini's stunt with the refs against VT. Got a unsportsman like conduct call for call the Ref a bad name after Suh hit VT qb out of bounds. Clearly a good call on the replay, and Pelini shows his class with his outburst. The corn got what they deserve! A Boorish idiot for a coach. Nepa... the guy is even a nepotist! Hires his brother as.... drumroll please... "Defensive coordinator" yea right. I'll bet he was the best man for the job. Got those blackskirts back didn't he! ha ha! Oh and the running game... wow what a powerful running game they have. This week will be great watching Mizzou go into Lincoln and seeing all the red headed step children weeping on TV. By the way, I was watching the VT game last weekend and when the TV panned the stadium, one thing I noticed is how Fat the average Nebraska fan is. OMG! That place has a serious obesity problem.
Posted by buffalotom on October 1, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
about cody: not that my opinion matters but it seems to me that cody's trouble is between his ears. all of us remember a coach saying something like " . . stop thinking - you're hurting the team . . .". cody is pressing, trying to do too much, trying to be too fine, too accurate, second-guessing his reads,and so on. his is placing too much pressure on himself. he was very accurate last year (remember asu and other games) but this year he appears to be aiming the ball, not just trusting himself and throwing it - did you see him tighten up before he missed moyd and devinney and double-pumped on josh? his arm action and mechanics, accordingly, are off.
the best thing the coaches can do is relax him, boost his confidence, and ask him to do less, not more.
schematically, that may mean gameplan changes. hand it to helfrich, he schemed and called plays so that mody and devinney were wide open, for example. he usually comes up with some good stuff, (e.g., against ou last year with dusty's end-arounds and his td pattern in the fourth quarter that required the ou safety to make the wrong choice) and we would have been fine at fsu if we'd had those two scores. i would like to see more i-formation plays.
also, 3-1 is better than we hoped, really. losing the three guards plus miller, we can't expect much.
lets be patient and let them grow. to do so the squad needs support.
show up saturday outside folsom south gates to greet the team at 2:30, have a nice long tailgate, and be loud!
Posted by NCHusker on October 1, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, homotherange, spewing venom like that can't be good. Methinks that you may have deeper issues than simple jealousy of the Mighty Big Red and a sever case of corncob envy?
Posted by IowaBuffFan on October 1, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Missouri walks into to Lincoln and walks out winning by 21+. Nepabuff disappears for weeks. Of course a "new" Hawkins/Buff hater with eerily similar rhetoric joins the discussion. Let's see, "Whosyourdaddy" and "tallisall" are out. Should we help Kenny pick a new name?
Posted by nepabuff on October 1, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not a husker fan, just an honest football fan.
Posted by homeontherange on October 1, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not vemon at all, just truth NC.
Envy? You have nothing to covet. "Mighty Big Red" laughable.
Posted by Saheeb on October 1, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neill's article really hit on all the major issues currently and the state of the program, and the pscyhe of the fans. Good story, and straight up analysis. Emerging from this next stretch at 4-3 minimum, and improved play each game, given our youth and line injuries, would be impressive, in my opinion. But I'll take a better record than that, of course!
Posted by RalphieWyoWyo on October 1, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They say there is a pretty girl behind every tree in Nebraska
Cody may have reached his limits as a QB. A lot of people are starting to think that who whole heartedly support him.
Run out of the I this weekend and use play action for Cody. Lets play hard and smart against TX and get a victory!
Posted by vkberlinn on October 1, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nepa nepa nepa.
Have you found the tree yet?
Have you seen yourself on the cream and crimson boards. Just change the names and give you all the credit.
Not a husker fan. Me neither
Posted by Rise_Against on October 1, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
D Scott will lay it down on that "No. 5 freight train coming to Boulder"
LETS GO BUFFS!!!!
Posted by phatmack on October 3, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WhosYourDaddy:
It's been a while!! You weren't around for the first several weeks but came back when... just before the FSU game? Anyway... it's been a while.
Serious question for you (for some reason I don't mind you as much as some of the broken records that cut and paste the same drivel from article comments to article comments... but anyway): I know you don't like Cody and you think the only reason that he's in as QB is because of the HC (a view shared by others, no doubt) but you said that "the next four weeks will prove that Cody cannot compete with the elite athletes at the D-1 level."
While it is of course possible that go 0-4 over the next month and that you will consider that to have proven your point... if we split the next four (most likely scenario being that we drop UT and MU but pick up W's against the KS teams), and Cody has decent but not perfect games, (even in the ones which we lose) will you still maintain that he "cannot compete with the elite athletes at the D-1 level"? We'll be at 5-3... which will be pretty dang good after playing 5 teams in the top 25.
Anyway I know you'll always hold contempt for the coaching staff for starting Cody as QB... but will you be around to say he did "alright" after games that we win (or lose) if he has a good/great game? ...or will you always compare him to the Heisman Trophy front runners and the rest of the "elite" athletes in the D-1 level and say that we (as a team) can't compete with them solely because of Cody?!
Posted by moet on October 3, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hear from the true Buff fans more. I've watched the posts this week, and there has been way too much whining negativity from supposed Buff supporters(and I'm not talking about the ignorant Nepas and Daddys of the posting world). We're 3-1 after losing our 1st away game where every facet of the CU game malfunctioned except the run game, and FSU got some help from the refs & a bunch of criminals in their season coming-out party. So what? That was last week.
We're the only Big 12 team that has played a Top 50 schedule; the rest of the Big 12 didn't even make the Top 75 in toughness of non-conf schedule. Texas turns into the Shorthorns every year that Vince Young isn't playing his last college season when they start playing real competition - they're probably the 4th or 5th best team in the Big 12 this year, 6th if CU beats 'em like they can.
Remember last year about this time, with everybody touting Bradford before the OU game, then the much-maligned Cody outplays him and CU wins out? I see Cody coming back strong against perhaps the worst pass defense in the nation, because CU has more good receivers than Josh Smith, who still is learning how to become great. The Shorthorns haven't seen speed like Smith or Stewart yet this year.
Then there's Darrell Scott, another wrongly-maligned CU player who came in a month behind the rest of his team in conditioning through no fault of his own. His position coach is Darian Hagan, you know, the guy who ran for about 70 yards against Texas back in 1989 to start CU's mini-dynasty in the old Big 8. He was also on the coaching staff when CU got humiliated by Texas in 2005. Coach Hagan says DS has made HUGE strides this last week or two and he's seeing the Deuce that he's been waiting to see. You know, Deuce, D.Scott, the guy who the Shorthorns wanted but didn't get, which caused some fat-headed 'Hornless backers to slander Scott, his family and the CU recruiting staff with lies about offering a job to Scott's mom.
So lookout, UT fans and bandwagon CU fans! If you Texans can fit your heads through the portals at Folsom, and you fair-weather CU fans can drag your asses to a soldout game, you might get to see what 'Hornless fans have been asking for: a chance to see UT's vaunted run defense go after D.Scott. Only don't be surprised if they get what they want: a chance to watch UT's gassed run defense trailing after D.Scott(and R.Stewart too) as he leaves them in the Colorado dust.
GO BUFFS!!! Stampede the Shorthorns back to the land of 10-gallon hats for empty 10-gallon heads!!!
Posted by WhosYourDaddy on October 3, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
phatmack - Sorry for the late response and thanks for the serious question.
You're correct, I don't think Cody can compete at that level. It's possible for things to break his way (as they did against OU when he threw 3 passes that should have been picked) and so even if CU were to go 2-2 my antipathy for Cody would not diminish.
Cody seems like a pretty good kid, and might be a fine QB somewhere else, but as long as he's playing for his father I don't think any of the other kids can get a fair shake and therefore I can't see myself ever rooting for him or saying he did "alright."
My objection to Cody is very simply one of fairness. All those other kids worked just as hard, if not harder than Cody, to play in a D-1 program - but now their careers are effectively over simply because the coach wants his son to play. I root for the underdog, for the guy who pulls himself up by the bootstaps, not the guy who has had all the advantages and special treatment.
Hope that answers the question.
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