There might come a point in the future when Jeff Smart tires of being compared to Jordon Dizon. The guy deserves his own identity after all.

If he continues to play at a Dizon-like level, the day could come when Colorado coach Dan Hawkins compares future Buff linebackers to Smart.

Hawkins has made the Dizon comparisons when talking about Smart multiple times in spring and fall practices and he did it again Tuesday when asked to critique Smart's play in the season opener against Colorado State.

"He played great," Hawkins said. "I was telling Brian Cabral he really made some plays that were sort of reminiscent of Jordon.

"You know, not just your run-of-the-mill, hey-I-go-tackle-the-guys, but knifing through people and getting in there and being slippery."

Smart started at the "will" linebacker spot in the game, the position formerly manned by Dizon. Sophomore Michael Sipili started at middle linebacker where Smart played most last season. Smart said he began practicing at both the "mike" and "will" linebacker positions two weeks ago and is comfortable playing in either spot.

Hawkins said coaches will continue to slide him around depending on defensive approach to each opponent. Smart led the team with 12 tackles against the Rams.

"Having a year under my belt helps a lot," Smart said. "I think sometimes people get too caught up in playing the blocker, and sometimes you don't have to play the blocker if you can just get in there and make the play."

Out the gate

Most members of the CU coaching staff wear headphones and microphones during games to communicate. When coaches see a big play developing, they say, "It's out the gate."

During the second quarter of the season opener, they believed they had designed such a play and it was working well right up to the point that quarterback Cody Hawkins' screen pass for running back Rodney Stewart was tipped and intercepted.

"As the play started to develop, everybody started yelling, 'It's out the gate, it's out the gate,' " Hawkins said. "Uh, no, it's not out the gate."

It was one of two plays involving Stewart that ended in CU turnovers. The pass was not his fault, but his fumble later in the game is something from which coaches hope he learns. Hawkins said he didn't say anything out of the ordinary to Stewart about the fumble.

"We always talk about high and tight," Hawkins said demonstrating the proper way to secure the ball. "Unfortunately, he had it low and loose."

Hawkins went on to say that running backs face a different level of intensity in tackling when making the jump from high school to the college level.

"Runners at this level need to understand that they're not just trying to tackle you," he said. "They're trying to separate you from the football."

Touchbacks please

Hawkins said part of the problem in covering the kickoff CSU returned for a touchdown in the second quarter Sunday was the kick itself, a low line drive.

He said freshman Jameson Davis did well overall with three touchbacks in seven kickoffs. He said touchbacks are a huge boost to a defense.

Based on research special teams coach Kent Riddle has done on past seasons at CU and at Boise State, Hawkins said the more touchbacks the Buffs can get, the better.

"The odds of a team driving the ball and scoring it are very minimal," he said. "We've had years before in the past where it's happened maybe once or twice during the year. ... That's big. You want to get them trapped back there inside the 20. When that ball starts getting out toward the 50, the ratio of points goes up in a huge way."

Scouting report

Of all the spread offenses Hawkins has faced, he said Eastern Washington most resembles Texas Tech because it doesn't ask its quarterback to make plays on the run. He said the Eagles will occasionally play under center with traditional tight ends.

Notable

The CU-CSU game generated a 12.3 rating on Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain and was the highest rated regular-season sporting event in history on the network. ... Hawkins said he hopes to hire senior safety Ryan Walters as a graduate assistant when Walters completes his eligibility and any possible pro career. Hawkins said Walters is like a coach on the field. Walters made an interception and 10 tackles against the Rams. ... Hawkins said the team is "a lot faster, a lot stronger, a lot more explosive" than when he took over the program 2½ years ago. ... The Buffs received three votes in the latest USA Today coaches' poll and zero votes from Associated Press voters.