Sage Advice for Young Qbs Page 1 of 4

The Denver Post - Sage advice for young QBs Page 1 of 4

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHOWDOWN | COLORADO VS. thinking. COLORADO STATE Oh, my. I'm a long way from Boise, Idaho.

Sage advice for young QBs Actually, kid, it's not so bad. They all survived to tell tales about one of the most memorable games of Cody Hawkins isn't facing anything these former their careers. And they can offer sage words that players didn't tackle head-on should settle the Colorado rookie, just in case he's hyperventilating right now. By John Henderson, Denver Post Staff Writer

"A lot of people make a big assumption. Cody Article Last Updated: 08/31/2007 12:11:59 AM MDT Hawkins. Redshirt freshman. First college start. He'll get blitzed all day," said Mike Moschetti, who quarterbacked Colorado to a 42-14 rout of CSU in 1998. "It's overrated, that first start. Where the problem is, is the pregame warm-ups. The night before the game. That's where the nerves come in."

Of all the moments Moschetti remembers from that game, his three touchdown passes don't stand out most. Neither does the final score. It was walking out of the locker room before the game. The series had moved to Denver's Mile High Stadium for the first time, and never had these two teams drawn together Cody Hawkins learned a few lessons as an observer of CU's so many crazed people. downward spiral last season, but the redshirt freshman will be the man on the spot beginning Saturday. (Post / Karl Gehring) "I remember I was captain, and me and Hannibal

Redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins is going to walk Navies and Darrin Chiaverini and another guy - I can't into the home of the Denver Broncos for his first remember who - we were captains and we came college football game Saturday morning and look up walking out," said Moschetti, 32, the offensive at 76,000 people. He'll see black on one side and coordinator at CSU-Pueblo, which restarts its green on the other. He'll hear people scream his program next season. "Our tunnel was where the CSU name, both with loving words and four-letter words. student section was. We came out early and I'll never forget. It was so loud. People were throwing beer at His predecessors, those once-tortured souls who us. I looked up at the sky and the place was jam- made their first college starts at quarterback in the packed. Colorado-Colorado State game, will know what he's

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"I said, 'God, get me through this game."' and all he had to do in his first college start was end At some point in this rivalry, there's always a Colorado's eight-game win streak over CSU. moment of epiphany. The quarterbacks, all lauded in College Football

z Watch video of Jim Armstrong's interviews with CU coach Dan Hawkins and quarterback Cody Hawkins and a tour of the brand new Buffs locker room in the online exclusives section at the CU page z Watch video of Jim Armstrong's interviews with CSU running back Kyle Bell and coach Sonny Lubick z Visit Tom Kensler's CU blog z Visit the CU Page z Post your thoughts on the CU forum Former Colorado quarterback Mike z Make predictions for each Buffs Moschetti. (AP | Bob Galbraith) game for a chance at prizes z Visit the CSU Page "We were in the home locker room and I'm thinking, z Post your thoughts on the CSU 'John Elway is sitting in this locker room week in and forum week out,"' said Newton, 30, in medical sales in z Make predictions for each Denver. "It's an honor to be in the same place. Rams game for a chance at prizes Growing up, he was my idol. I remember sitting there z Visit the AFA Page after warm-ups. There's four minutes before my first z Post your thoughts on the AFA start in college. There are 75,000 people out there. I forum thought, 'What are you going to do? Run from it or run z Make predictions for each toward it with open arms?' I said there's no turning Falcons game for a chance at prizes back. I went in with my arms wide open."

Newton threw for a touchdown and ran for another as CSU blew the streak into the Rocky Mountain air, 41-14. high school and promising in practice, find the truth about themselves. Matt Newton was a Cherry Creek All the quarterbacks share one thing. After warm- High grad who found himself at Mile High in 1999,

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ups, after the opening snap, the first pass, whatever, confidently as I could, and sure enough there's the they might as well be playing behind the student middle linebacker sitting in the middle of the field. I union. Moschetti remembers telling Karl Dorrell, then thought: 'Oh, my gosh! I'm going to get yanked!' I Colorado's offensive coordinator and now UCLA's remember this in mid-flight. It was the worst pass I'd head coach, that he wanted to run a quarterback ever thrown. bootleg on the first play. "But sure enough, it goes over the middle linebacker He wanted that first hit. and Derek catches it and goes 82 yards for a touchdown. I get to the sideline and my fellow "After that first play, that loud noise, you don't even quarterbacks look at me like, 'You lucky SOB."' pay attention to it," Moschetti said. "It's just another football game." It was the first of Klatt's three touchdown passes on his way to 402 passing yards and a 42-35 win. Then every play seems to be magnified. Of course, some are more magnified than others. Joel Klatt Of course, this game has much more meaning for in- walked on at Colorado in 2002 after aborting his state quarterbacks. Newton wanted to beat Colorado minor-league baseball career. In 2003, he prepared merely because then-CU coach Rick Neuheisel for his first college start against a CSU team ranked showed more attention to another player on a 23rd. It was CSU quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt's recruiting visit. senior year. Blue-chip tailback Marcus Houston had transferred from CU to CSU. Justin Holland, a Bear Creek grad, remembers taking over for Van Pelt in 2004. CSU lost, 27-24, when the Hype flowed from Durango to Sterling. Rams couldn't get off a play at the goal line in the final seconds, but Holland had black-circled the The week of the game, Colorado worked on a play Colorado game since he signed in 2002. He threw for called "The Choice." Receiver Derek McCoy would 403 yards and two touchdowns and the next season take off and choose between a deep post route or, threw for 3,185 yards and 23 TDs. depending on where the safety was, break it off and run 15 yards across the field. "That game gives you the confidence," said Holland, recently released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. If the middle linebacker dropped back into the "That cemented me: All right, I'm the leader of this middle of coverage, Klatt was supposed to throw to team. I'm the starting quarterback." someone else. Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303- "All I remember is Derek breaking and he looked 954-1299 or [email protected] . wide open," said Klatt, 25, in investment banking locally. "I stepped up and threw the ball as

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Woelk: CU, CSU could be headed down different roads

By Neill Woelk Friday, August 31, 2007

F ns who find themselves enjoying breakfast at Invesco on Saturday morning will be watching two programs that could very well be going in different directions.

For the last eight years, the Colorado-Colorado State series has been about as even as a rivalry could get. Each program has four wins in that stretch. Six of the eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less, and the other two came out with identical 41-14 scores — with each team winning one of those.

The guess here is that Saturday's contest will likely turn out to be another one of those close ones.

But that era of close finishes is about to come to an end. Two years from now, the series has a very real chance of returning to the one-sided affair it became in the Bill McCartney-Rick Neuheisel years at CU.

McCartney was 6-1 against the Rams, losing only in 1986 — ironically, the year when Mac also ended the Buffs' two-decade losing streak to Nebraska. Neuheisel, meanwhile, was a perfect 4-0 against Sonny Lubick and the Rams — and that includes Lubick's 1997 bunch, the only team in school history to win 11 games.

But the series took a turn when Gary Barnett arrived at CU. Lubick had been steadily building what would become a Mountain West powerhouse, and dealt Barnett a 41-14 thumping in his CU head- coaching debut. That was the first game in the eight-yearstretch that has seen the two programs play virtually dead-even.

But it's no secret that Lubick's Rams have slipped over the last couple of seasons. The Rams haven't had a winning record since 2003, and although they return a wealth of experience, they are again picked to finish in the middle of the MWC pack.

That's inching dangerously close to a trend.

Not that the Buffs have been world-beaters recently. Dan Hawkins debuted with a 2-10 record last season that included a loss to Lubick in his first matchup with the wild old vet from Fort Fun.

But folks who know football have watched Hawkins' practices this fall and been pleasantly surprised at the young talent Hawk has brought to campus in just two seasons. There's a wealth of talent in the trenches on both sides of the line, and the skill positions have been upgraded considerably.

It bodes well for the future if you're a Buff fan.

Not that anyone should count on a Buff miracle season. It wouldn't be prudent to expect a huge

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improvement this year — or even next — given the schedules ahead and the youth of the team.

But the underlying current of opinion from those who are watching CU carefully believe that the tide is turning. The foundation is being established for a program that should not only become competitive again, but one that should be able to contend with the big boys on a fairly regular basis.

Need a turning-point season? Try 2009 for Hawkins, which will be his fourth at CU. That's the year when he'll get a nonconference respite — Colorado State, Miami of Ohio, Wyoming and West Virginia — plus a favorable Big 12 schedule.

It's also the year when the youngsters of this year will be seasoned vets. If Hawkins can continue to improve his recruiting classes in the direction he's gone in just two years in Boulder, he'll have a well- stocked cupboard.

If that happens — and if CSU can't change the recent trends that have plagued the program, ranging from mediocre recruiting to just plain bad luck — the in-state rivalry could once again become a one- sided affair.

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Kickoff luncheon a scream: Hawkins, Buff faithful gear up for Colorado State

By Ryan Thorburn Friday, August 31, 2007

After the "bloggers and internet freaks" were asked to keep the moment inside Balch Fieldhouse, Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins gave the crowd what it wanted at the annual CU Buff Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday.

What level of football do you guys play at again? And what was the name of that conference?

"It ain't intramurals, brother!" Hawkins screamed into the microphone. "It's the Big 12!"

And on that note Hawkins left the stage to continue preparing for the 2007 season, which opens against Colorado State on Saturday at Invesco Field.

Hawkins, unlike former CU head coach Gary Barnett, didn't provide the Rams with any bulletin-board fodder. He left that up to former Buffs All-American and current sports talk-show host Alfred Williams.

"I think it's going to be a lot tighter than that," Williams said with a dramatic pause after his former CU teammate Charles Johnson, the emcee for the event, predicted a 24-14 victory for the Buffs. "I think CU's going to score 55 points, and CSU will score 10."

The "shoulder-to-shoulder" philosophy athletic director Mike Bohn is trying to instill at the university was on displayduring the event. Most of the CU administration was in attendance, including President Hank Brown, Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson and Provost Phil DiStefano.

New men's basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik was also working a room filled with local boosters.

"It certainly is a team game and I think everybody is starting to understand that," Bohn said.

Johnson asked Hawkins what finishing 2-10 in his first season was like.

"Pain," he said. "Absolute pain. ... I think our guys have just come a long way and we're a lot more fortified."

Hawkins said the team is a lot stronger and more confident entering this season. He also reminded the faithful audience that the Buffs would be featuring a lot of freshmen this year, which means there will likely be some more growing pains to endure.

Peterson saluted the football program for its support of Michael Knorps, the 17-year-old freshman student who was stabbed on campus Monday, the first day of classes for the fall semester.

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"When the young man got stabbed the other day I thought, 'This young man is a part of our community. This young man is a Buff,'" Hawkins said.

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Rocky Mountain News

To print this page, select File then Print from your browser URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/ncaa/article/0,2777,DRMN_23932_5686954,00.html CU: Playing the percentages

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News August 31, 2007

For the offensive coaching staff at the University of Colorado, the literary work no one could finish last season was the CU playbook. By most accounts, the Buffaloes slogged through, by season's end utilizing only about 30 percent to 40 percent of it.

But by Thanksgiving, they hope to be able to say they've used it cover to cover, mainly because of the guy they've entrusted to be its primary tutor.

Cody Hawkins has a firm handle on CU's offense, and if the Buffs are as impotent this season as last — that's something almost impossible to imagine — it won't be because their starting quarterback is conceptually deficient.

Of the 22 players on the field at any one time, CU senior linebacker Jordon Dizon says this of Hawkins: "He's not the biggest guy, he's not the strongest guy, he's definitely not the fastest guy. But he's definitely the smartest guy."

That's as in football smarts, which Hawkins credits in part to genealogy (his father, Dan, is CU's coach) and in part to growing up with football, and football strategy never far from the center of most conversations.

In training camp one year ago, Cody Hawkins was a true freshman trying to transition to Division I-A football and the onset of college life.

From Day 1, almost assured he would redshirt, he sat in quarterback meetings, mostly as an observer and eager learner.

In 2006, Cody Hawkins said, the Buffs "probably ran all first-and second-day stuff (from camp) all season. . . . It was simplified for people. In this camp, we're miles and miles ahead of where we were last year, even after the first week, with our installation of the offense."

The Buffs and their fans are hoping most of that mileage falls in the air miles category. CU finished last in the Big 12 Conference in passing offense (116th in NCAA Division I-A), pass efficiency (114th), total offense (102nd) and scoring offense (107th).

Asked how much of the offense was used last season, Eric Kiesau, CU's passing game coordinator/ receivers coach, said, "I'm just throwing a number out, but I'd say 30 percent. We were very, very limited in what we could do.

"We were very handcuffed, and that's why it's very refreshing now, because we've got a lot in and we do a lot of different things. It's night and day (from 2006), and it's going to be fun."

Cody Hawkins and his backup, Nick Nelson, will make it that way, Kiesau said, also noting, "We're different at all positions. . . . But, obviously, at quarterback you have two guys who can really drop back and throw the ball. It's made everybody better."

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During the summer, Cody Hawkins said he and Nelson frequently communicated with their coaches, briefing them on what sets, formations and plays they liked and were successful during seven-on-seven passing work. Also, Hawkins and Nelson immersed themselves in the playbook and were mentally ready when camp started.

Plus, Year 2 in any offense usually is smoother than Year 1, which Cody Hawkins assures is the case at CU.

"Just having guys in their second year in the system is huge — and everybody stayed (on campus for unofficial workouts) this summer," he said. "Last summer, it was tougher because some guys had jobs. But everybody was really committed to football this summer. We had a lot more time to put stuff in and work on a few little wrinkles among the players without the coaches.

"We are through the playbook now, (whereas) last year we were putting in three concepts every day. This year, they threw everything at us in that first week (of camp). We have to keep trying to perfect that."

Getting to know Cody Hawkins

• Your favorite football moment is . . .

"My senior year in high school, my state championship game (Hawkins and Bishop Kelly High School in Boise beat Pocatello 31-29). It was the first time that everybody in my family saw one of my games. Everybody was there together, so that was really cool."

• The jersey you wore as a kid and why . . .

"My dad's jerseys. He'd always have his jerseys set out, whether it was No. 32 or 34 — those were his numbers (at UC Davis). We'd always go digging through his stuff, find them and run around playing football in the front yard. He'd always get mad because we wouldn't put one back. I was never a kid who had a Joe Montana or Jerry Rice jersey, although I did get a Jerry Rice jersey when I was in fifth grade because I was a big Niners fan."

• When channel surfing, I always stop on . . .

"ESPN. And I don't channel surf; it's just on (ESPN) all the time — unless I'm watching Comedy Central."

• The one song I have to listen to before a game is . . .

"Konstantine, by Something Corporate. . . . It's an absolutely amazing song."

• The teammate I've most admired is . . .

"Wow. . . . I'd have to say the senior class as a whole here. They've gone through so much stuff and they're doing an awesome job of really embracing this new staff. Seniors are helping out new guys who might have a chance to take their positions. After what they went through in the whole Gary Barnett era, kind of the scandal thing, and now having a new staff in here. . . . Every single senior on this team is unbelievable and I just admire the heck out of them."

• The one thing I'd like to show CU fans in 2007 is . . .

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"How to win football games. I mean, win football games, have fun doing it and strive for perfection."

Outlook

6-6 Rarely are first seasons in new systems successful, and the Buffaloes are this axiom's Exhibit A. Season 2 under Dan Hawkins should be smoother internally, but there's still an unforgiving schedule and major questions at key offensive positions (quarterback, line and receiver). If the Buffaloes reach six wins and a bowl game, Hawkins is ahead of schedule.

Preseason report card

• RUSHING OFFENSE: Take heart: Rushing (fifth) and turnover margin (third) were the only offensive categories in which CU didn't finish last in the Big 12 Conference in 2006. New running game coordinator/line coach Jeff Grimes has simplified some assignments, and players appear to have responded. But a dependable between-the- tackles tailback still must be identified. Hugh Charles is versatile but not a bona fide basher and is being pushed by Demetrius Sumler. Grade: C-plus

• PASSING OFFENSE: It has to be better. Period. The Buffaloes finished 116th in NCAA Division I-A in 2006. Now, with a quarterback (Cody Hawkins) who understands the system and can manage a game, CU figures to add a dimension to the offense. But young receivers Kendrick Celestine and Markques Simas must step up while Josh Smith (bruised kidney) mends, and the retooled offensive line has to keep Hawkins out of harm's way. Grade: B

• RUSHING DEFENSE: With interior linemen George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Jason Brace returning, the Buffaloes should be stout against the run (they were fourth in the conference in 2006). But end play could be a question mark. Linebackers Jordon Dizon, Brad Jones and R.J. Brown, along with safeties Ryan Walters, D.J. Dykes and Lionel Harris, should make it difficult to trample the Buffaloes. Grade: B

• PASSING DEFENSE: Someday, improvement will occur. But when? Beginning in 2003, CU has ranked 114th, 105th, 87th and 94th nationally against the pass. Terrence Wheatley is a quality all-conference cornerback and Benjamin Burney is solid on the other side. But who pressures the quarterback? Ends Alonzo Barrett and Maurice Lucas need to rev up their play. Marquez Herrod could become a force. Grade: C

• SPECIAL TEAMS: For the first time in four seasons, there's no Mason Crosby to be a field-goal threat whenever CU crosses midfield. It's Kevin Eberhart's turn. Punter Matt DiLallo is capable of a big season. The Buffaloes badly need to upgrade their punt-return game; they were last in the league (104th nationally) in 2006 and not much better (95th nationally) in kickoff returns. Grade: C

• STATE OF THE PROGRAM: This is a key year for Hawkins. No one outside his program expects CU to challenge for the Big 12 North title, but neither does anyone inside or out expect another two-win season. Although Hawkins appears to be retooling the Buffaloes in the right way, he realistically might be another year from reaching postseason play. And while it isn't Austin, Texas, Norman, Okla., or Lincoln, a delay in the long climb back won't play well in Boulder. Grade: B

Depth chart

OFFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

QB Cody Hawkins Nick Nelson Young "Hawk" must shoulder load.

TB Hugh Charles Demetrius Sumler Charles must run stronger, harder.

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FB Maurice Cantrell Samson Jagoras Cantrell has a linebacker's body, will.

WR Patrick Williams Dusty Sprague Williams stepped up during camp.

WR Scotty McKnight Stephone Robinson Precision routes McKnight's forte.

TE Riar Geer Joe Sanders Position is deep, strong, talented.

LT Tyler Polumbus Sione Tau Polumbus ready for breakout season.

LG Wes Palazzi Mike Iltis Guard position green, green, green.

C Daniel Sanders Kai Maiava Sanders, aka "Girthy," is versatile.

RG Devin Head Keenan Stevens Head made one start in 2006.

RT Edwin Harrison Ryan Miller Harrison strong, solid in August.

PK Kevin Eberhart Tyler Cope Eberhart has waited, waited, waited.

DEFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

LE Maurice Lucas Marquez Herrod Lucas is everything but consistent.

DT George Hypolite Jason Brace Book it: Hypolite become a big factor.

NT Brandon Nicolas Eugene Goree Nicolas' transfer was huge for Buffs.

RE Alonzo Barrett Conrad Obi Barrett appears ready to blossom.

WLB Jordon Dizon Jeff Smart Dizon is undersized, overly tough.

MLB R.J. Brown Jake Duren Michael Sipili (suspended) missed.

SLB Brad Jones B.J. Beatty It's Jones' year to reach his potential.

RCB Benjamin Burney Cha'pelle Brown Burney is among team's top athletes.

LCB Terrence Wheatley Gardner McKay Wheatley has all-conference skills.

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FS Ryan Walters Jalil Brown Nobody brings it like Walters.

SS Daniel Dykes Lionel Harris Duo will share playing time.

P Matt DiLallo Tom Suazo DiLallo has kicked freshman jitters.

Three things the Buffaloes must prove

1 That on opening day, they're ready to play. Some insiders have alluded to the 2006 run-up to the Montana State debacle being so dominated by recruiting that game planning for a Division I-AA opponent became secondary. Memo to coach Dan Hawkins: It can't be that way for Colorado State.

2 That they can finish, or win close games, in the fourth quarter. In 2006, they lost four games by five points or fewer and one by nine points. In crunch time, attitude counts, and the Buffaloes didn't have it last season.

3 That they can throw and catch. Really, the forward pass hasn't been stricken from CU's playbook. Directed by stand-in quarterback Bernard Jackson, the 2006 Buffaloes suffered severe air sickness, averaging 118.5 yards a game.

Schedule, forecast

Date Opponent Time Last year Pick

Saturday Colorado State* 10 a.m. Lost 14-10 CU

Sept. 8 at Arizona State 8:15 p.m. Lost 21-3 Arizona State

Sept. 15 FLORIDA STATE 8 p.m. Did not play Florida State

Sept. 22 MIAMI (OHIO) 1:30 p.m. Did not play CU

Sept. 29 OKLAHOMA TBA Lost 24-3 Oklahoma

Oct. 6 at Baylor TBA Lost 34-31 (3OT) CU

Oct. 13 at Kansas State TBA Lost 34-21 Kansas State

Oct. 20 KANSAS TBA Lost 20-15 CU

Oct. 27 at Texas Tech TBA Won 30-6 Texas Tech

Nov. 3 MISSOURI TBA Lost 28-13 CU

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Nov. 10 at Iowa State TBA Won 33-16 Iowa State

Nov. 23 NEBRASKA 10 a.m. Lost 37-14 CU

* Invesco Field at Mile High

• NOTE: Home games in CAPS. All times Mountain and subject to change.

• RADIO: Colorado radio network includes KOA-AM (850) in Denver.

• TICKETS: $30 for Miami (Ohio), Kansas and Missouri; $50 for Florida State, Oklahoma and Nebraska; $55 for Colorado State. Information: 303-492-8337 or 1-800-872-8337.

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Rocky Mountain News

To print this page, select File then Print from your browser URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/ncaa/article/0,2777,DRMN_23932_5686952,00.html Colorado, Air Force, Colorado State out to reverse fortunes

By Randy Holtz, Rocky Mountain News August 31, 2007

The question has evolved during the past few months, this question about the three major college football programs in Colorado.

In December, it was, "What happened?"

These days, it's "What happens now?"

To remind fans practicing the art of selective amnesia, last season was the state's autumn of collective collegiate gridiron discontent.

After spending much of the past couple of decades posturing for conference championships and playing in bowl games, the football programs at Colorado, Colorado State and the Air Force Academy crashed with a collective, painful whimper.

CU, trying to rebuild from an unseemly recruiting scandal that sullied the school's reputation and turned heads nationally, finished 2-10 in the debut season under Dan Hawkins, charged with the task of digging out of it all.

CSU, no longer getting the game-pivoting athletes of past seasons, finished 4-8, the worst record in coach Sonny Lubick's mostly excellent 15-year tenure in Fort Collins. The Rams unceremoniously dropped their last seven games.

Air Force was just as bad, equaling CSU's inglorious 4-8 record while hastening the retirement of its living legend of a coach, Fisher DeBerry.

It was the first season all three finished with losing records since way back in 1981. And in seven years during that span, all three earned the privilege of competing in postseason bowl games.

So, 2006 was quite the comedown.

But how did Colorado suddenly become college football's version of Siberia? And what are the principals planning to do about it?

Question 1 has been posed, pondered and postulated through a long, soul-searching offseason. So let's move on to Question 2.

Fresh face in Falconland

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Troy Calhoun, eminently classy and steady as it goes, isn't about to rip on the man who made Air Force football matter again. He played for Fisher DeBerry, learned from the man, built his reputation as a fine young football mind with DeBerry's considerable guidance.

So it's a delicate situation for Calhoun. When the first-year coach is asked how the Falcons fell to mediocrity during the past few years, he is diplomatic yet firm in his convictions.

"One of the things that I saw watching film (of last season's team) is the players didn't seem as strong and energetic in the last few games," said Calhoun, 40, who played for DeBerry as a backup quarterback in the late 1980s and most recently served as an offensive assistant with the NFL Houston Texans.

"That's something that has to change. We need to be a team that gets stronger, literally, as the season goes on. We have to be a more powerful team and a more skilled team, and I think the residuals of that will show themselves as the season goes on."

Calhoun takes over a program DeBerry built into a consistent winner, and while the end of DeBerry's tenure wasn't a happy time, at least Calhoun knows it can be done at Air Force. He knows because DeBerry, in his remarkable 23-year run, took the Falcons to 12 bowl games.

Calhoun radiates the same kind of verve and enthusiasm as the man he replaces.

"The thing that fires you up most about working at the academy is the quality of the young men you get to work with," he said. "They're bright, they're unselfish and they're winners. You try to build on what you have and what you do well, and what we have with these cadets are complete people.

"They're the kind of people who like to be challenged. We're not going to be a team that walks on eggshells. We're going to play like our hair's on fire."

It could take a while. Air Force is being picked near the bottom of the nine-team Mountain West Conference by all the prognosticators. Calhoun, for a year or so, will have a honeymoon period. But he knows that won't last.

So does Hawkins at CU.

Rebuilding from infamy

When the booze-and-sex recruiting scandal rocked CU's Boulder campus a few years back, fans wondered what the upshot would be. It didn't take long to find out.

Coach Gary Barnett eventually was shown the door and Hawkins was imported from Boise State to vacuum the sludge. What CU fans conveniently forgot was the reins handed to Hawkins were impossibly frayed and tangled.

Barnett and his staff couldn't recruit effectively with all the negative vibes surrounding the bad- news Buffaloes, and the result was a 2006 team bereft of the kind of talent necessary to compete in the rugged Big 12 Conference.

Last season's Buffaloes will be best remembered for posting one of their 10 losses against Montana State. At home, no less.

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The Buffaloes also were beaten by CSU, which went on to beat only one of its eight opponents in the Mountain West.

This was a CU football program that only a year before was celebrating its second consecutive Big 12 North title. So the sound of the Buffs' crash landing was loud enough to be heard across the college-football-watching nation.

"I've said this many times: You don't want to be close to having a good marriage, you don't want to be close to getting a raise, you don't want to be close to graduating," said Hawkins, a likable man who knows the patience of bummed Buffs fans can't last forever.

"But we were close (last season). We just couldn't quite finish in a few games. But we're a lot stronger, a lot more fortified (this season)."

Hawkins has been around long enough to know it all comes down to recruiting, and he and his staff, at least on paper, signed a reasonably strong recruiting class in the aftermath of the program's worst record in 24 years.

And included in Hawkins' first recruiting class in 2006 was the quarterback of the present and future, a dynamic talent who happens to be Hawkins' son. Cody Hawkins hopes to be part of a CU football renaissance.

How quickly can that happen? The elder Hawkins is optimistic. He already is seeing changes in his players' mind-set. He wants them to be aggressive, fearless. He wants them to make things happen.

"If it's fourth and less than 3 and we're down here (in opponents' territory) and we even think about kicking a field goal, they should call me out in public," he said. "We've got to be able to develop that sort of feeling amongst us — and I think we're starting to get that way."

CSU was that way in Lubick's nice years. But that has been a while.

Ram-tough? Not lately

If he has heard it once, he has heard it a thousand times: Sonny Lubick, 70, has lost his touch.

His teams no longer make the crucial winning plays down the stretch. The Rams are on the decline, and only when he retires can they regain their place as an annual Mountain West contender.

Lubick, whose name is on CSU's football stadium, bristles at the talk.

"People see that our program has slid, but all it takes is a few wins to turn things around," he said as he prepared the Rams for Saturday's opener against CU at Invesco Field at Mile High. "We were about three or four plays from having a winning season last year."

But those plays didn't happen, and CSU is 21-29 in the past 50 games. This isn't a one-year blip; this qualifies as a trend. But Lubick is undaunted.

"I think I'm a better coach than I was five years ago, but naturally, people are going to say things about you when it's up here (raising his hand above his head) and then for a couple years it's down here (holding his hand a foot off the floor)," he said.

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"You think about that, but you know deep down in your heart you still have it. We've made some mistakes, but as far as the game passing me by, it's natural for people to think that, but I don't think that way at all."

Lubick and his retooled staff have plenty of reasons for optimism this season.

The majority of the starters return, and premier runner Kyle Bell is expected to lead a rushing rebirth after missing last season with a right knee injury.

"I like this team, like the way the players worked in the offseason," Lubick said. "They want to put last year in the past, and they've been working hard to do that. I think we've done a lot of great things at CSU, and I'd like to see more.

"I feel good physically, and I feel strongly that we can win a few more games and get back to a bowl. That's our goal."

Can it happen? Lubick thinks it can, and Lubick has done remarkable things at CSU before.

Like Calhoun and Hawkins, he knows there's nowhere to go but up.

[email protected]. Staff writer B.G. Brooks contributed to this report.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/cda/article_print/0,1983,DRMN_23932_56869... 8/31/2007