UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BUFFALOES / SPORTS INFORMATION SERVICE www.CUBuffs.com Fieldhouse Annex #50, 357 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0357 © 2008 CU Athletics Telephone 303/492-5626 (FAX: 303/492-3811; E-mail: [email protected]) David Plati (Associate AD/Sports Information), Andrew Green (Assistant SID), Troy Andre (Assistant SID/ Internet Managing Editor), COLORADO Linda Poncin (Assistant SID), Allie Musso (Assistant SID), Nick Bernal (Football Student Assistant).
2008 COLORADO BUFFALO Football Game 7 — KANSAS STATE WILDCATS October 18 / 5:00 p.m. MDT / Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo. RELEASE NUMBER 7 (October 13, 2008) FSN (Regional) | KOA-RADIO | CUBUFFS.COM (Live Stats)
QUICKLY SPEAKING…
The Colorado Buffaloes (3-3, 0-2 Big 12) return home for its last home game in the Halloween month, entertaining the Kansas State Wildcats (4-2, 1-1 Big 12) in a 5:00 p.m. mountain time kickoff at Folsom Field … The Buffs won’t be home again until November 8 … The game will be televised regionally on FSN, with FSN Rocky Mountain producing the game; Drew Goodman (play-by-play), former Buff quarterback Joel Klatt (analyst) and Alanna Rizzo (sidelines) will call the action (FSN Midwest and FSN Southwest have picked up the telecast; others could follow) … Klatt set 44 school records during his CU career which spanned 2002-05 … It’s Parent’s Weekend at the university, with the football game one of the signature events on the schedule … CU will induct its seventh class into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame; the group will be honored Friday night at the induction ceremony (Omni Interlocken Hotel , Broomfield) and will be honored at halftime of the game (see page 3 for details) … For the first time in school history (119 seasons), the Buffs have won their first three games and then subsequently lost the next three … It’s No. 4 vs. No 12: no, not national rankings, but CU brings the nation’s fourth longest active scoring streak into this Saturday at 241 games while K-State brings the 12th at 146; CU is the last team to shut out KSU, doing so 12-0 in Boulder in 1996 … Colorado is coming off a 30-14 loss at Kansas, while Kansas State defeated Texas A&M at home, 44-30; this will be the Wildcats first game inside the North Division in 2008 … CU’s 22-14 record against North teams in the division’s best dating back to the start of the 2001 season … About 2,500 tickets remained as of Tuesday Noon for the Kansas State game, with plenty of ducats still left for the November home games, Iowa State (Nov. 8) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 15); they can be purchased on line at CUBuffs.com, at TicketsWest outlets in all King Soopers stores, or by calling 303-49-BUFFS … Visit CUBuffs.com/gameday as your one stop for everything, including live stats for all games. DEPTH CHART ON PAGE 50, ROSTER ON PAGES 51-52
I-70 TIME
CU’s next three games are with its “Interstate 70 compadres” in the North Division, Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri. The Buffs were swept by the trio each of the last two years, though just seven times overall and have lost seven straight to their I-70 brethren. CU won all three games in 2001, 2002 and 2005.
STAT OF THE WEEK
Big Play Josh. As in Josh Smith, CU’s sophomore big play wide receiver. He has 10 plays of 30 yards or longer this season, including three in each of his varieties against Kansas last weekend. He is the fastest player to 1,000 all-purpose yards (six games) at Colorado since Chris Brown in 2002 (1,004 through six). Josh’s big plays:
93 KOR Colorado State (TD) 46 KOR Texas 38 Rec West Virginia 59 KOR Kansas 40 KOR Eastern Washington 37 PR Kansas 51 PR Eastern Washington 38 Rec Kansas 30 Rec Florida State (TD) 46 KOR Colorado State
OBSCURE NOTE OF THE WEEK
Colorado continues to have an inordinate number of turnovers in the first half, as 10 of its 12 this season have come before halftime, with eight in the second quarter. Opponents have scored after only five of those miscues (all TDs); CU hasn’t been any better, scoring three times (all TDs) after 10 opponent turnovers (which break down t six in the first half and four in the second).
2008 COLORADO SCHEDULE & RESULTS (3-3, 0-2 BIG 12)
2008 Date CU* Opponent Opp* TV Result/Time Record Series This-N-That Aug. 31 NR Colorado State (N; Denver) NR FSN W 38-17 3-3 59-19-2 Smith 93 KOR, Hawkins TD runs and defensive effort (CSU: 258 yds) wins it SEPT. 6 NR EASTERN WASHINGTON NR none W 31-24 2-4 1`- 0-0 C.Brown’s 27 INT/TD return with 1:44 left rallies CU; Hawkins 3 TD passes SEPT. 18 NR WEST VIRGINIA 21 ESPN W 17-14 (OT) 4-2 1- 0-0 Buffs up 14-0 early, win it in first OT on Goodman 25 FG Sept. 27 NR Florida State (at Jacksonville) NR ABC L 21-39 4-1 0- 3-0 CU missed on early opportunities, FSU pulls away thanks to special teams OCT. 4 NR TEXAS (N; HC) 5 FSN L 14-38 6-0 7-10-0 Buffs sluggish on offense, late first half UT TD put ‘Horns up 21-0 Oct. 11 NR at Kansas 16 ESPN2 L 14-30 5-1 41-24-3 KU breaks open a 16-14 game with two fourth quarter scores OCT. 18 KANSAS STATE (FW) FSN 5:00 p.m. 4-2 43-19-1 Buffs play catch-up after falling behind early; Charles 171, 1 TD rushing Oct. 25 at Missouri FSN 4:30 p.m. 5-1 31-38-3 07: Tigers score last 48 pts to hand CU third-worst home loss in history Nov. 1 at Texas A & M TBA TBA 2-4 5- 2-0 Last trip to College Station was wild 29-26 OT loss to Aggies in 2004 NOV. 8 IOWA STATE TBA TBA 2-4 47-14-1 CU 17-3 vs. Iowa State in Boulder since 1967, including 11 of last 12 NOV. 15 OKLAHOMA STATE TBA TBA 6-0 26-17-1 Last meeting in ’05, a 34-0 CU win, LB Burton returns pick 99 yards for TD Nov. 28 at Nebraska ABC 1:30 p.m. 3-3 18-46-2 Teams play one of six games in ’07 where both teams scored 50-plus Dec. 6 Big 12 Championship Game ABC 6:00 p.m. (Kansas City, Mo.) Colorado is 1-3 in Big 12 title games, winning in 2001 (All times mountain. KEY: —Big 12 Conference game; N—Night game; HC—Homecoming; FW—Family Weekend.) 2007 Colorado Football: The Media Page 2
MEDIA SERVICES
¾ Coach Dan Hawkins holds a Tuesday press luncheon in the Dal Ward Athletic Center, starting at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, followed by Hawkins beginning the interview session promptly at Noon. This year’s dates: Sept. 2-15 (Monday)-23-30, Oct. 7-14-21-28, Nov. 4-11-24 (Monday), Dec. 2-TBA (bowl). NOTE that there is no organized press luncheon on Sept. 9 or Nov. 18 (bye weeks). The press conference portion of the luncheon is streamed live on www.CUBuffs.com (in the BuffsTV area); all press conferences on CUBuffs.com are free and thus do not require access codes. ¾ Hawkins can be heard Mondays on the Big 12 Football Teleconference Call at 10:40 a.m. MT. All coaches participate; please call the Big 12 office (469-524-1007) for access (media only—you must register). A teleconference replay is available after 2 p.m. MT the same day by phone (706/634-1618) or on www.Big12sports.com. ¾ Video highlights of CU football games are available anytime provided by the Big 12 Conference through www.CollegePressBox.tv. Highlights will be in files in Quicktime format, with all available for viewing prior to downloading. First-time visitors will need to register on-line for access; information: contact Ted Gangi at 214/909- 9314 or [email protected]. Special requests can also be made through CU’s BuffVision (Deric Swanson or Eric Pelloni: 303-735-3637). ¾ The Colorado lockerroom (home and road) is closed after games; following the customary 10-minute cooling off period, players will be made available (a list of players will be solicited immediately following the game; no cutoff to request players). ¾ Colorado’s regular season football practices are closed to the general public (exception: Sundays) but are open to the media (exception: Thursdays). The 11th through 30th minute of practices (Sun-Tues-Wed) in-season are open for photography/video needs from the end zones and sidelines. All parameters listed in CU media policies. ¾ This year’s standard meeting/practice schedule (mountain time, pre-time change): Sunday (3:15-5:00, 5:15-6:15); Monday (off); Tuesday (2:30-3:40/4:00-6:30), Wednesday (2:30-3:40/4:00-6:30), Thursday (2:30-3:40/4:00-6:00), Friday (3:00-4:00, evening meetings). ¾ Interviews with Colorado players are allowed post-practice on Sundays, pre- and post-practice on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and pre-practice Thursdays (the cutoff moves up to pre-Wednesday practice for Friday games). Phone interviews with out-of-town media are allowed all four days in all time slots. Interviews on Mondays are at the discretion of the player, as it being the standard player day off (no meetings/practice), CU can’t arrange due to NCAA rules. ¾ Collegepressbox.com is the official media website for Big 12 football. Access and download weekly game notes, statistics, quotes, media guides and more for the conference and each member school throughout the season. Most FBS conferences are also accessible as well. Login information will be distributed to accredited media, and media members can also apply for a password by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. ¾ CU On-Line Photo Database. The CU sports information service has an online photo database that allows registered members of the media instant access to print quality head shots of all CU coaches and student-athletes as well as action shots of key players. Registration is easy: for a login and password, simply log on to www.CUBuffs.com, select "Sports Information" from the "Athletic Department" menu located on the left navigation bar and follow the instructions.
THE BUFFALOES ON THE INTERNET
¾ Colorado has its information available to both the media and fans alike on the Internet. Visit the official CU site at www.CUBuffs.com for the latest information, releases, game notes and press conference broadcasts (free). Simply type www.cubuffs.com/media into your web browser, then click on Media Center, and it will link you to everything you’ll need to know about CU football. “BuffsTV” offers the opportunity to listen and/or watch live game action of several CU athletic teams. Breaking news with the program will be found here first every time and delivered in full without others editing out what they might deem unessential. ¾ Yahoo.com is the official site for subscription service for audio-only broadcasts, as all football and men’s and women’s basketball games are streamed through Yahoo! Sports. Just visit the Multimedia area of the CUBuffs.com, go to the football schedule page and click on the corresponding audio icon, or visit yahoosports.com.
THE BUFFALOES ON THE AIRWAYS
¾ KOA-Radio in Denver (850 AM) originates the 7-station CU Football Network, with sports director Mark Johnson in his fifth year as the play-by-play voice of the Buffs. Larry Zimmer (analysis) is in his 35th season broadcasting Colorado football (he handled play-by-play from 1971-81 and 1985-2003). Former CU quarterback Charles Johnson (pre- and postgame shows/sidelines) is in his fourth year on the broadcast team. Other cities on the network in addition to KOA/Denver metro: Alamosa, Aspen, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Pueblo. ¾ Wednesdays at 7 p.m., the Dan Hawkins Show originates from The Millennium Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, with Mark Johnson and Zimmer hosting the program. NOTE: The show will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16, the week of the West Virginia game. ¾ Satellite Radio: Sirius & XM Radio are the satellite homes of the Buffaloes; the CU-Kansas State game (KOA broadcast) will be on channel 106 (XM) and 107 (Sirius). ¾ FOX Sports Net Rocky Mountain is the television home of the Buffaloes, as “The Buffalo Stampede” is broadcast in the six-state FSN area. The show airs Fridays at 6:30 p.m. MT with replays at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Assistant AD and former CU QB Charles Johnson hosts the program; the show airs through the end of basketball season.
IMPORTANT ROSTER INFORMATION & UPDATES (Number changes, etc., from the media guide)
Number Changes: Eugene Goree (76; playing both DT and OG). Position Change: Goree; Will Pericak (DT, from TE). Ineligible (Academics): OG Erick Faatagi, ILB Lynn Katoa, WR Markques Simas, OT Sione Tau, OLB Nate Vaiomounga. QUIT: WR Kendrick Celestine. DUPE NUMBERS: While there are several duplicate numbers, those who appear below are the ones most likely to see action (at the three other dupes, 9 (Dykes), 13 (Goodman), 15 (Walters), 19 (Sandersfeld), 22 (Jaffee) and 86 (Ham) are the only ones expected to see action). CU jerseys DO have names on the back; key: A—African-American, C—Caucasian, P--Polynesian:
Offense/Kicker Defense/Kicker Offense/Kicker Defense/Kicker 3 Nick Nelson (C) 3 Jimmy Smith (A) 21 Scotty McKnight (C) 21 Anthony Wright (A) 18 Kyle Black (C) 18 Jonathan Hawkins (A) 55 Max Tuioti-Mariner (P) 55 Josh Hartigan (A) PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Coaches/Staff Players Patrick DEVENNY (duh-vain-E) TAJ Kaynor (as in Taj Mahal) Michael SIPILI (sih-pill-E) Andy AVALOS (ave-uh-loas) Tyler AHLES (alice) Matt DiLALLO (di-lah-low) Patrick MAHNKE (main-key) Nate SOLDER (sold-er) Brad BEDELL (buh-dell) Matthew BAHR (bar) Justin DRESCHER (dresh-er) Alex METSKAS (mets-cuss) Tom SUAZO (swoz-as in Oz-oh) Brian CABRAL (cuh-browl) B.J. BEATTY (bay-tee) RIAR Geer (rye-er) Shaun MOHLER (mole-er) SIONE TAU (see-own-E Mark HELFRICH (hel-fritch) Blake BEHRENS (bear-ens) Eugene GOREE (gore-ray) Kevin MOYD (moid, as in void) towe, as in now) Eric KIESAU (key-saw) Jake BEHRENS (bear-ens) MARQUEZ HERROD Conrad OBI (oh-bee) Maxwell TUIOTI-Mariner ROMEO Bandison (row-may-oh) Austin BISNOW (bizz-no) (mar-qwez her-rod) Will PERICAK (pre-check) (two-E-oh-T) CHA’PELLE Brown (shuh-pell) George HYPOLITE LAGRONE Shields (luh-gronn) Nate VAIOMOUNGA
JALIL Brown (juh-leal) (hip-puh-light) MARKQUES SIMAS (vy-oh-moun-guh) Ryan DANNEWITZ (dan-uh-wits) Lynn KATOA (cuh-toe-uh) (marcus see-muss) 2008 Colorado Football: CU Athletic Hall of Fame 3
CU SET TO INDUCT SEVENTH CLASS INTO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
In addition to being Parent’s Weekend, it’s also Hall of Fame weekend at the University of Colorado, as the school will induct its seventh class into its Athletic Hall of Fame this Friday night and be introduced publicly at halftime of the CU-Kansas State game. The brainchild of former athletic director Dick Tharp, the event is extremely popular and kicks off Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield with a cocktail hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres (cash bar), followed by the induction ceremony at 7 p.m.; KOA’s Mark Johnson and Larry Zimmer will emcee the event, which is free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis. (CU SID David Plati will also be on hand for a public book signing of Colorado Football Vault, which was published this past August.)
The class includes groundbreakers, trailblazers, two of the school’s top all-time two-sport performers, CU’s first postseason trophy winner in any sport and the most decorated female athlete in Buffalo history. It is the largest inducted into the Hall since it was conceived in 1998, as nine former Buffaloes will join 28 individuals and the entire 1959 ski team which have been enshrined to date. The nine represent six decades dating back to the 1930s.
Claude Walton, Colorado’s first All-American in any sport when he was recognized in the discus in the spring of 1936 and CU’s first African-American varsity athlete highlights the group, as he will enter the Hall at the age of 94. He will be joined by two other groundbreakers, Frank Clarke and Billy Lewis, who were CU’s first blacks on the football and basketball teams, respectively, in the mid-1950s. Clarke was a wide receiver who went on to a great NFL career, while Lewis was a forward for the late Sox Walseth, who is in the Hall; he continued his accomplishments of firsts in the field of law after graduating from CU.
These three gentlemen opened the door for many others in a pre-Civil Rights America, enduring unbelievable racism and forced segregation at times from their own teammates on the road. The accomplishments of all three in their respective sports along with what they went on to accomplish in their days after they left CU more than merited induction into the Hall and all three were unanimous selections.
Clarke’s coach, the late Dal Ward, will be inducted posthumously. He blazed the trail for the Buffaloes as they left the old Mountain States Conference and turned things up a notch on the national scale when CU joined the Big Seven Conference in 1948. Many credit him with putting Colorado on the national football map and keeping it there, spending 11 seasons as head coach walking the sidelines of Folsom Field. He passed away in 1983 at the age of 76.
The “Colorado Comet,” Don Campbell, was a favorite among many of the veteran Alumni C Club members, and his impressive track resume will make the 82-year old a valued member of the Hall. Considered the top collegiate sprinter of his day and among the top 10 in the world, he was a seven-time conference champion in three events and a 1948 All-American in the 100-yard dash, all after surviving machine gun fire to his upper leg and hip areas from his service in World War II as an Army private in the Philippines.
Two of the most prolific two-sport stars in CU history who were football teammates in 1972 will be enshrined, Dave Logan and John Stearns. Logan starred in football and basketball, enrolling in college right when freshmen were once again eligible to play four seasons, and was a freshman on the ’72 football squad with Stearns, who was a senior. Stearns remains CU’s all-time interception leader, and holds several of the school’s baseball records. Both went on to stardom in their professional sport of choice, Logan in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and Stearns in major league baseball with the New York Mets; those were the same sports both garnered All-American honors in while attending CU.
One of the area’s most popular sports figures is being inducted, as linebacker Alfred Williams helped the Buffaloes to the 1990 national championship and back-to- back Big Eight Championships (1989-90). He became the first CU athlete to win a major postseason award when he received the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker his senior year. A two-time Big Eight defensive player of the year, he was a consensus All-American as a junior and then a unanimous choice as a senior. He went on to enjoy a long career in the NFL and won two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998.
Completing this year’s class is perhaps the most decorated women’s athlete in CU history, Kara Grgas-Wheeler Goucher, the only performer, male or female, to be named CU’s Athlete of the Year two times (1999-2000, 2000-01). One of just six Buffaloes to win as many as three individual NCAA titles, she led Colorado to its first national championship in women’s cross country in 2000. She recently qualified for both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs for the Beijing Summer Olympics next month, and her husband, Adam Goucher, was an accomplished distance runner at CU who was inducted in the Hall in 2006.
A capsule look at those being inducted as the seventh class of CU's Athletic Hall of Fame:
Don Campbell, Track Frank Clarke, Football The Sterling, Colo., native, known as the “Colorado Comet” overcame serious leg and The first African-American varsity football player at Colorado (and the first to letter), hip injuries sustained in the jungles at Luzon in the Philippines in World War II to return joining the Buffaloes in September 1954 after attending Trinidad (Colo.) Junior College to school and have a prolific collegiate and amateur career… An Army private, he was for two years where he had a brilliant career (he had to sit out the ’54 season after awarded the Purple Heart after taking machine gun fire to his upper leg area… Earned transferring)… He was so popular on campus, he was elected “King” of the annual CU the prestigious Russell Memorial Award as the region’s top amateur athlete in 1949… Days festival… Also was one of the first blacks to play in the old Big 7 Conference… An Competed at CU in outdoor track from 1946-49 and indoor in 1950… An All-American honorable mention All-Big 7 performer as a junior, when he was second in the league in the 100-yard dash in 1948 and considered the top collegiate sprinter of his day, in receiving… Colorado ran the single-wing during his career, so passing downfield was along with being one of the top 10 in the world… One of CU’s first individual outdoor rare, but he led the team both years in receiving and averaged 26.6 yards for 20 champions as a member of the Big Seven Conference, as he won the 100- and 200- catches in his career, seven of which went for touchdowns… Ended his career fifth at yard dashes in 1949… He ran a 9.9 as a prep athlete at Sterling High School, and was the time in receiving yards at Colorado… He also blocked two kicks in his career, of a Look Magazine high school All-American… He recorded one of the first sub 10- which he also handled most of the kickoff chores… He had one catch for 18 yards in second times in the 100-yard dash at CU (9.5); he also had career bests of 6.2 in the CU’s win over Clemson in the ’57 Orange Bowl, and he played in the Copper Bowl All- 60 and 21.0 in the 220… He was the two-time Mountain States Conference outdoor Star game following his senior year… He was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of champion in both the 100- and 220-yard dashes (1946 & 1947), and was the Big 7 the ’56 NFL Draft (61st pick overall, he was eligible due to his age), and joined the Conference champion in both in 1949… He was the indoor champ in the 60 with a Browns after his senior year at CU; he played three seasons in Cleveland and then conference record performance in 1949, which wiped out the oldest standing record in eight (1960-67) with the Dallas Cowboys. He caught 291 passes for 5,426 yards and the meet at the time… Represented CU and the nation in several international 50 touchdowns in 140 NFL games… His final game was in the ’67 NFL Championship competitions, including the 1951 Pan American Games… Named one of CU’s 10 game against Green Bay and former teammate Boyd Dowler in what is known as the greatest athletes in the school’s first 75 years of existence in 1951… He was bidding “Ice Bowl,” won by the Packers, 21-17. to compete in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics (he had just missed being named to the ’48 U.S. team by one place, edged out by five inches), and had won the 100-meter dash Kara Grgas-Wheeler Goucher, XC/Track in an AAU regional, but suffered an injured tendon to end his run… Retired from The most celebrated and acclaimed women’s athlete in CU athletic history… CU’s competition in 1952 and went on to play a significant role in the rejuvenation of CU’s Female Athlete-of-the-Year for both 1999-2000 and 2000-01, the only repeat or two- Alumni C Club (served as president in 1956)… Turned 82 this past spring. time winner in the 24-year history of the award… Also CU’s Female Career Athletic Achievement Award winner in 2001… She is one of just six CU athletes to have won as many as three NCAA championships, including the cross country title in 2000 when she led CU to its first national crown… Also won the 2000 NCAA individual crowns in 2008 Colorado Football: CU Athletic Hall of Fame (Bios continued) 4
both the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs, just two days apart at that… A seven-time All- numbers ever by a catcher in a Buff uniform, and was the 1972 Big Eight batting American (twice in cross country, five times in track) and an eight-time All-Big 12 champion (.492), the 1973 NCAA home run leader (15) and an All-American as a performer (three XC, five track)… Won five Big 12 titles, including the 1999 and 2000 senior in ‘73… Career baseball numbers: batting (.366), hits (169), runs scored cross country crowns… the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame female college athlete of the (137), home runs (26), runs batted in (101), steals (48)… He was drafted in two year for 2000… Nine-time CU Athlete-of-the-Week recipient, a record at the time and sports: Buffalo snared him in the 17th round of 1973 NFL Draft, late on purpose still shared (with Mason Crosby)… The first American woman to ever medal in the because he was going to go the baseball route; two months later, Philadelphia selected women’s 10,000-meter run in the world championships, claiming the bronze in Osaka, him as the second overall pick, behind David Clyde, in the June baseball draft (Oakland Japan, in August 2007… Earning her degree in Psychology with a 3.6 grade point, she had drafted him in the first round and ninth overall out of high school)… He spent less was a frequent member of the Dean’s List, an Academic All-American, a four-time than two years in the minor leagues and ascended to the majors by the end of the ’74 Academic All-Big 12 team member in both cross country and track, and was the season, playing for the first time on Sept. 22, 1974... Traded to the New York Mets recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate scholarship… She has qualified for the 2008 during the off-season, he would spend the next 10 seasons with the Mets in becoming Summer Olympics in Beijing in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs, doing so in one of their most popular players of all-time… In 810 career big league games, he Eugene, Ore., over the past 10 days … Married former Buff and teammate Adam batted .249 (696 of 2,681), with 46 home runs and 312 runs batted in… He had 91 Goucher after college; husband inducted into CU Hall of Fame in 2006. career steals and a .984 fielding percentage… After he retired from baseball, he has spent time as a coach and scout in the majors, working for the Mets and the Billy Lewis, Basketball/Track Philadelphia Phillies, and managed several years on the triple-A level… Currently the The first African-American varsity basketball player at Colorado (and the first to letter), manager of the Washington Nationals AA team in Harrisburg, Pa. … A member of the enrolling at CU in September 1956; at that time, freshmen were ineligible to play and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. he thus made his debut in the 1957-58 season… As with his football counterparts, though treated well in Boulder, he often had to endure harsh racism on the road in pre- Claude Walton, Track Civil Rights America and thus blazed the trail for all those who would follow him to One of the first African-American athletes, as well as students, at the University of CU… Best season was his junior year, when he averaged 5.9 points per game with a Colorado in the 1930s; he was the first black student-athlete to earn a varsity letter (in career-high 21 against Nebraska… The 6-3 forward played in 67 career games, 1933), and was the first University of Colorado athlete to earn All-America honors in scoring 244 points and grabbing 197 rebounds in lettering three times… In 1959, any sport, doing so in the spring of 1936 as a member of the track team, with his after the basketball season was complete, he decided to come back out for track in his specialty being the discus… A four-time letterman… He was a standout performer in specialty, the high jump; he cleared 6-6¾ and finished second in the CU Invitational the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (two-time champ), with his winning throw of (to Wyoming’s Jerry Lane, who jumped an inch higher) which topped his previous 157-1/8 in 1936 his career best and led to his All-American honor…As a freshman in personal best of 6-2 as a senior at Denver’s Manual High School, where he was ’33, he set the school record in the discus with a 141-2½ effort (in the RMAC East coached by CU great and Hall of Fame member Gil Cruter… Just as important if not Division Championships, earning him the title), a mark he would better several times more so were his contributions as a student leader, becoming the first African- over his career… In a meet against Colorado Mines in 1935, a 157-foot discus throw American elected by the student body as commissioner of the ASUC (Associated got the nation’s attention, as it was the second best throw in the country at the time… Students of the University of Colorado); he led a delegation of students and testified on Also finished second in the discus in the ’35 Kansas Relays… Was briefly a member of the resolutions against discrimination in housing and employment practices and the basketball team but did not suit up for any games… Prepped at Denver West High headed the SFHD, Students For Human Dignity, two of many causes he championed School… He did not graduate, but his era was that of the Great Depression; he had a that helped change CU in a positive way forever… Upon his graduation from CU in good job offer with the Chicago Parks Department and jumped at the chance. He 1960, he clerked for a Denver judge, and after marrying fellow CU grad JoKatherine would work with CPD for 45 years… He returned to Boulder for the first time in 1975 Holliman (the first African American woman on CU’s homecoming court), they relocated and a distinguished alumnus… Set to be the oldest inductee into the Hall at the age of to Washington D.C. where he would work for Colorado senator Peter Dominic in 1963 94. and 1964 while earning his Juris Doctor of Law degree from Howard University… In ’64, he was recruited by IBM and took a position as the first African-American Dal Ward, Football Coach corporate attorney at the company’s headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., and returned to Dallas Ward was the head football coach at Colorado for 11 seasons, tied for the Colorado two years later (1966) to be the junior counsel for IBM in its Niwot offices… fourth longest tenure in the program’s 118-year history… In 110 games between He almost made a successful bid to become a state representative in 1968 against 1948 and 1958, his teams posted a 63-41-6 record, a 60.0 winning percentage (31- Tom Bastien, but lost by just 100 votes; he then opened a private law practice in 29-4 in Big 7 Conference play, 26-18-4 the last eight years)… He led CU into a new Denver with partner Morris Cole. phase of its illustrious athletic history, piloting the team as it entered the Big 7
Conference, the ancestor to the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences… Largely credited with Dave Logan, Football/Basketball bringing CU to a new level on the national collegiate athletic scene… His teams ran the A first-team All-American as a senior in 1975 as selected by The Sporting News… A single-wing, and though never winning the Big 7 title as his reign was simultaneous Playboy Preseason All-American prior to his junior season, the lone Buff to ever make with that of a dominant Oklahoma program, his teams finished second twice and third the squad as a non-senior… He caught 68 passes for 1,078 yards in his CU career, four times in the league standings during his tenure… Five of his teams were ranked in numbers that both ranked second at the time of his graduation and remain in the top the top 15 nationally in rushing, including the 1957 squad that led the NCAA with 20 all-time… He led the Buffs in receiving in both 1974 and 1975, after finishing 322.4 yards per game (CU was second nationally in total offense that same season)… second to the late J.V. Cain as a sophomore in 1973… Shared the punting duties as a The Buffs were shutout just twice in 110 games in his career, in an era where shutouts soph, averaging 35.9 yards per kick, placing 10 of 29 punts inside-the-20, one of the were very common… He coached four All-Americans (Don Branby, John Bayuk, Bob best percentages in school history… Also returned punts, and led the team in ’73 with Stransky, John Wooten) and 25 first-team All-Big 7 performers… In 1962, he returned a 10.8 average and a touchdown on 16 returns… A two-sport star at CU (he also to the sidelines for one season as defensive coordinator under Bud Davis… Following lettered in basketball, averaging 14.1 points in 58 career games), Logan is one of a his coaching career, he went on to work as an assistant athletic director at Colorado for handful to ever be drafted in three sports: he was a third round pick by Cleveland in the 12 years (1963-74), supervising facilities, and taught in CU’s physical education 1976 NFL Draft (65th overall); the Kansas City Kings nabbed him in the ninth round of department… He died in February 1983 at the age of 76. the ’76 NBA Draft; and the Cincinnati Reds had drafted him as an infielder and pitcher in the 19th round of baseball’s June draft out of high school (longtime MLB outfielder Alfred Williams, Football Dave Winfield was also drafted in three)… He played in 119 NFL games with Cleveland A unanimous first-team All-American as a senior in 1990 and a consensus first- (1976-83) and Denver (1984)… Snared 263 passes for 4,250 yards and 24 teamer as a junior in, he became the first University of Colorado player to win a touchdowns in his pro career… Settled back home in Colorado where he starred as a postseason trophy when he was honored with the Butkus Award as the nation’s most prep; he is a high school head coach (Mullen), a longtime participant in the radio outstanding linebacker his senior season… A two-time first-team All-Big Eight sportstalk scene in Denver, and is the radio play-by-play voice of the Denver Broncos Conference performer as a junior and senior, he was also the Big Eight’s Defensive after several years as the color analyst… He also worked several CU football games for Player-of-the-Year both those seasons… He had 88 tackles, 21 for losses as a senior KCNC-TV in the 1990s as the color commentator. and 81 and 16, respectively, as a junior…. He finished his career as and remains CU’s
all-time quarterback sack leader (35 for 242 yards), but only had as many as three John Stearns, Baseball/Football sacks in a game just once… Also CU’s all-time leader in tackles for loss (59 for 303 A first-team All-Big Eight performer as a senior in 1972, Stearns was the team’s most yards)… An honorable mention member of CU’s All-Century team, selected during the valuable player that same season… Known as “Bad Dude,” he was one of the fiercest 1989 season… Joined CU’s basketball team for a brief stint between his junior and hitters in the old Big Eight and made a name for himself as one of the more colorful senior seasons; he played in one game, but didn’t want to risk his football future… A players in CU history… He set the career record for interceptions at Colorado with 16, first round selection by Cincinnati in the 1991 NFL Draft (18th overall), he played his a number that still stands some 36 years later, with his 18 pass deflections good for first four years with the Bengals (1991-94) and then moved on to San Francisco for third at the time of his graduation… Pulled off perhaps the “gutsiest” play in school one season (1995) before spending the last four years of his career with Denver, history, when he ran for a 12-yard gain out of the punt formation, from the Buff 10- where he won two Super Bowl rings in 1997 and 1998... He registered 28½ sacks yard line no less, on a 4th-and-9 play with CU nursing a 23-17 lead in the fourth during his time in Denver, including 13 in 1996 when he earned All-Pro honors… He quarter of the ’71 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl versus Houston’ CU went on to win and finish played in 128 career NFL games, racking up 59½ quarterback sacks and one fumble as the No. 3 team in the nation… In baseball at CU, he put up the most prolific return for a touchdown… He is now a Denver radio personality.
2008 Colorado Football: General Notes 5
GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS
Here are CU’s starters for the 2008 season (bold indicates first career start); this list often does not reflect who might “listed” first at a position, as especially on offense, the first play selected often involves a particular grouping:
OFFENSE WR WR LT LG C RG RT TE / Other QB TB FB / Other
Colorado State Williams Jo. Smith Solder Head Sanders B. Behrens Miller McKnight (WR) C. Hawkins Sumler Cantrell
E. Washington Williams Crawford Solder B. Behrens Sanders Tuioti-Mariner Miller McKnight (WR) C. Hawkins Sumler Stewart
West Virginia Williams Jo. Smith Solder B. Behrens Sanders Tuioti-Mariner Miller Devenny C. Hawkins Sumler McKnight (WR)
Florida Williams Jo. Smith Solder B. Behrens Sanders Head Miller Geer C. Hawkins Sumler McKnight (WR)
Texas McKnight Jo. Smith Solder B. Behrens Sanders Head Bahr Geer C. Hawkins Stewart Deehan (TE)
Kansas Williams Crawford Solder B. Behrens Sanders Head Bahr Geer C. Hawkins Sumler Deehan (TE)
DEFENSE LE DT NT RE MLB WLB SLB LCB FS SS RCB
Colorado State Lucas Hypolite Nicolas Brace Sipili Smart Jones C. Brown Walters Dykes McKay
E. Washington Lucas Hypolite Nicolas J. Brown (N) Sipili Smart Jones C. Brown Walters Dykes McKay
West Virginia Lucas Hypolite Nicolas J. Brown (N) Sipili Smart Jones C. Brown Walters Perkins McKay
Florida Lucas Hypolite Nicolas Perkins (N) Smart Mohler Jones C. Brown Walters Dykes McKay
Texas Lucas Hypolite Nicolas J. Brown (N) Smart Mohler Jones C. Brown Walters Dykes McKay
Kansas Lucas Hypolite Nicolas J. Brown (N) Smart Mohler Jones C. Brown Walters Dykes McKay
(N)—Nickel back. CONSECUTIVE STARTS—Sanders 30, Jones 24, Nicolas 21, C.Hawkins 19. CAREER STARTS—Sanders 34, Jones 30, Nicolas 30, R.Walters 28, Hypolite 26. PLAYER PARTICIPATION (dressed/played): Colorado State 87/56; Eastern Washington 91/50; West Virginia 94/52; Florida State 69/54; Texas 91/59; Kansas 70/57.
COLORADO COACHES’ WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
A look at Colorado's weekly award winners for each game as selected by the coaching staff (#—chosen if a linemen does not win offensive or defensive; *—denotes nominated for Big 12 player-of-the-week):
Opponent Offensive Defensive Special Teams #Lineman (Off or Def) Scout Team (Offense, Defense, Special Teams) Colorado State WR Patrick Williams ILB Jeff Smart WR Josh Smith* DT Brandon Nicolas TB Brian Lockridge OLB Nate Vaiomounga S Joel Adams Eastern Washington WR Patrick Williams CB Cha’pelle Brown* S Travis Sandersfeld DT George Hypolite WR Markques Simas S Matt Meyer S Vince Ewing West Virginia TB Rodney Stewart* FS Ryan Walters* PK Aric Goodman* C Daniel Sanders QB Tyler Hansen S Joel Adams TE Ryan Wallace None awarded in losses.
OTHER HONORS
BIG 12 CONFERENCE PLAYERS-OF-THE-WEEK
CB CHA’PELLE BROWN (Co-Defensive—Sept. 6 vs. Eastern Washington: 8 tackles—4 solo—2 third down stops, 2 PBU and 27-yard interception return for a TD) PK ARIC GOODMAN (Special Teams—Sept. 18 vs. West Virginia: 2-2 PAT, 1-1 FG: made the game winning 25-yard field goal in overtime)
COLORADO CHAPTER/NFF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME PLAYERS-OF-THE-WEEK
TB RODNEY STEWART (September 18 vs. West Virginia: 28-166 rushing, 3-16 receiving, 9 first downs; third most rush yards by a freshman in school history)
CU ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
WR JOSH SMITH (Aug. 31 vs. Colorado State: 3-160 kickoff returns, including 93-yard touchdown; 1-15 receiving, 1-8 rushing) CB CHA’PELLE BROWN (Sept. 6 vs. Eastern Washington: 8 tackles—4 solo—2 third down stops, 2 PBU and 27-yard interception return for a TD) TB RODNEY STEWART (Sept. 18 vs. West Virginia: 28-166 rushing, 3-16 receiving, 9 first downs; third most rush yards by a freshman in school history)
PLAYERS NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS AFCA-Allstate Good Works Team (top 11 community service): FB Maurice Cantrell (one of 72 nominations) Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year): DT George Hypolite (one of 75 on official watch list) Lombardi Award (top offensive/defensive lineman or linebacker): DT George Hypolite (one of 101 on official watch list) Ray Guy Award (top punter): P Matthew DiLallo (one of 46 on official watch list) Ronnie Lott Award (top defensive impact player): DT George Hypolite (one of 42 on official watch list) Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player): DT George Hypolite (one of 88 on official watch list) Outland Trophy (best interior lineman): DT George Hypolite (one of 70 candidates on official watch list) Dave Rimington Award (top center): C Daniel Sanders (one of 43 candidates on official watch list)
INJURY UPDATE
The Buffs came out of the Kansas game in pretty good shape, just a couple or ordinary football-related nicks. The injury list as of October 13:
Pos Player Injury Notes Status/Kansas State DE Marquez Herrod sprained ankle suffered in Kansas game; did return to action DOUBTFUL TB Arthur Jaffee illness has battled illness over last week OUT S Bret Smith knee (ACL) injured in winter conditioning, surgery March 20; back in practice PROBABLE WR Josh Smith shoulder suffered slight bruise early at Kansas, returned to play most of second half PROBABLE OUT FOR SEASON: CB Benjamin Burney (knee); DE Drew Hudgins (knee); OG Mike Iltis (knee); ILB Jon Major (knee); OT Ryan Miller (fibula); OG Maxwell Tuioti-Maxwell (knee); TE Luke Walters (leg). HIPAA: The players listed above have signed waivers for their injury information to be released/discussed with the media. NOTE: Injuries are reported in conjunction with the HIPAA laws. CU releases player name, body part (but no right or left ID’s), the general nature and playing status when it comes to reporting injuries. Status will be listed as either OUT, DOUBTFUL, QUESTIONABLE, DAY-TO-DAY, PROBABLE or DEFINITE. Injuries will be updated in-game, postgame, the Sunday after the game, and for game notes at the end of the week. 2008 Colorado Football: General Notes 6
IN THE POLLS
Colorado was not ranked in the Associated Press (media) or USA Today Coaches polls of October 12, and for the second straight week did not show up in any poll with even a single vote. CU was last ranked on November 6, 2005, when the Buffs peaked at No. 21 in the coaches’ ballot (No. 22 in the AP and Harris Interactive), but dropped out after a Nov. 12 loss at Iowa State. CU was ranked three times in 2005, reaching No. 18 in the BCS Standings at one point (Nov. 6) and had returned to the polls after a 25-month hiatus on October 9. Dating back to the 1989 preseason, CU has been ranked in 185 of the last 317 polls (AP; 58%), which includes a tremendous run of 143 consecutive between 1989 and 1997 (the 10th longest streak of all-time). CU has been ranked 292 times in its history, the 21st most all-time. Since 1989, CU has played the fourth most ranked teams in the nation (98), trailing Florida (106), Florida State (100) and Michigan (99).
COLORADO IN THE POLLS – 2008 WEEKLY
A weekly look at where Colorado has placed weekly in each of the four major polls in 2008 (RV—denotes received votes; number is place outside top 25):
Poll PS 9/02 9/07 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/05 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/02 11/09 11/16 11/23 11/30 Final
Associated Press ------RV (29) RV (42) ------USA Today Coaches RV (52) RV (42) RV (40) RV (42) RV (33) ------Harris Interactive RV (41) ------BCS Standings ------
42 WINS OVER RANKED TEAMS EIGHTH BEST SINCE ’89
CU’s 42 wins over Associated Press ranked teams since the start of the 1989 season is the eighth most in the nation in this time frame (19 seasons). Florida State has the most with 67, followed by Michigan (60), Florida (60), Ohio State (55), Miami, Fla., and Tennessee (51), Southern Cal (48), Colorado (42) and Notre Dame and Penn State (both with 40). Next up are Alabama (39), Texas (38) and Nebraska (36); as for the Big 12, after CU, UT and NU, the next schools on this list are Oklahoma (35), Texas A&M (29) and Texas Tech (19). All-time, Colorado’s 65 wins over ranked teams are the 23rd most in history. (AP polls used for these figures because the coaches’ poll omits teams on probation, but AP still ranks those teams.) ¾ Colorado had dropped 14 straight games against ranked opponents until the 27-24 win over No. 3 Oklahoma. CU’s previous last win against a ranked team came in 2003, when the Buffs toppled No. 22 Missouri in Boulder, 21-16. CU has lost eight straight road games against ranked opponents, with the last win at UCLA 31-17 in 2002.
RALPHIE IV OR V
For the first time in the history of the Ralphie program (circa 1966), the university is fortunate to have two of the live buffalo mascots, which have often been deemed college sports’ best live mascot. Ralphie IV, CU’s regular mascot since 1998, has been joined by Ralphie V, who made her debut at this past April’s spring game and her first in-season run on Sept. 6 against Eastern Washington. Contrary to what some might believe, Ralphie IV has not officially retired and will appear during the 2008 season; it’s just not known how many times. As they say in the sports business, the decision if Ralphie IV or V will be running at CU home games will be a ‘game day’ call. Both buffaloes are an active part of the program, and either could appear and run at a game (though will never appear together). Program managers will choose IV or V for a particular game based upon each animal’s weekly practice performance leading up to the game. Neither Ralphie will travel to Jacksonville.
COLORADO BY THE NUMBERS IN 2008
3-0 Colorado’s record against the South Division in 2007, its first undefeated run against the division since 1998. 8-1 Dan Hawkins’ record following a bye week, including the win over West Virginia. 14 The number of players who have at least one reception for Colorado, tied for the 13th most in the nation. 17 The number of drives (out of 64) Colorado has had to begin inside its own 20-yard line (compared to 10 for the opponent). 21 The number of freshmen CU has played to date in 2008 (seven true, 14 redshirt); that is tied for the seventh most in the nation. 21 The margin of victory by Colorado in the season opener over Colorado State (38-17). 22-14 Colorado owns the best intra-division mark over the last five seasons against fellow Big 12 North teams at 22-14. 25 The combined margin of victory in the six CU-CSU games between 2002 and 2007 (four wins by CU). 43 The number of passing yards by West Virginia, the fewest against Colorado since 1999 (Baylor, 40). 44:15 The amount of time CU led against Colorado State, taking the lead early in the second quarter. 53.3 Josh Smith’s kickoff return average for three returns against Colorado State, tying Walter Stanley’s school record set against Oklahoma in 1980. 64.0 Cody Hawkins’ completion percentage (87-of-136) through four games. 65.1 The school record for completion percentage in a season for 100 or more attempts (Joel Klatt, 2003: 233-of-358). 241 Colorado has scored in 241 consecutive games, the fourth longest active streak in the nation (and the ninth longest of all-time). 1,016 The number of all-purpose yards in six games by Josh Smith; the school single-season record is 2,349 by Rashaan Salaam in 1994. 1,119 The number of games Colorado has played in its history (119th season of intercollegiate football).
2008 Colorado Football: General Notes 7
FOUR DOWN, THREE TO GO
When looking at the Associated Press poll of September 21, Colorado was set to face four ranked teams over a six-game stretch, beginning the 17-14 win over then-No. 21 West Virginia. Then came Florida State, which had been ranked as high as No. 24 but dropped out after its loss to Wake Forest; CU dropped that one in Jacksonville, 39-21. Then No. 5 Texas rolled into Boulder and left town with a 38-14 win. Then it was on to No. 16 Kansas, where the Buffs succumbed to the Jayhawks, 30-14. Kansas State is up this week, and though unranked, is 2-0 against the Dan Hawkins’ coached Buffaloes. Just ahead is No. 11 Missouri; No. 10 Oklahoma State looms in November. CU, as usual, played the toughest non-league schedule in the Big 12.
CU-CSU TELECAST EARNS FSN-ROCKY MOUNTAIN TOP RATING
The 2008 Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown featuring the University of Colorado vs. Colorado State football teams registered a 12.3 rating, making it the most- watched college football game ever on FSN Rocky Mountain and the highest-rated regular season game for any sport at any level. Overall, it was the highest-rated program on FSN Rocky Mountain since the Colorado State vs. Colorado football game on Sept. 4, 2004 (11.3 rating). According to FSN’s analysis of Nielsen Media Research data, Sunday’s telecast (Aug. 31) generated a 12.3 rating/23 share in the Denver DMA (designated market area), with an average of 180,810 homes watching the game. The game peaked at a 14.4 average household rating/27 share (211,680 households) during the 7-7:15 p.m. MT quarter hour. It was the most- watched program in the Denver market on Sun., Aug. 31, beating out such programs as the U.S. Open (9:30-4:00) on CBS and the NASCAR Pepsi 500 (6-10 p.m.) on ESPN. A rating is a percentage of all television households in a market, while the share is a percentage of those television sets in use that were tuned into the game. The half-hour CU-CSU PREGAME REPORT registered a 4.8 rating and the postgame report registered a 3.2 rating. In addition, the Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres game on FSN Rocky Mountain that preceded coverage of the Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown received a 4.3 rating which is 19 percent above the season average. The 2007 Showdown, a Colorado 31-28 winner in overtime, registered a 9.6 rating. The most-watched program ever in FSN Rocky Mountain’s nearly 20 year history was Game 7 of the NHL Western Conference finals between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks on May 15, 2002 (17.7 rating). ¾ WEST VIRGINIA ON ESPN. The Sept. 18 game on ESPN drew a 2.87 metered market average, 19 percent higher than the game in the same slot a year ago (Texas A&M-Miami). About 3 million homes had the game on.
FOUR SENIORS NAMED 2008 CAPTAINS
When the votes were in, the University of Colorado football team had four seniors as the captains of the 2008 Buffaloes. In a vote by their teammates, fullback Maurice Cantrell, center Daniel Sanders, free safety Ryan Walters and wide receiver Patrick Williams were named captains. All four are fifth-year seniors and were members of CU’s 2004 recruiting class.
Williams is the first wide receiver to be named a Buff captain since 2001, when John Minardi earned the nod from his teammates. Sanders is the first center and Walters the first free safety to be CU captains since 2003, when Marwan Hage and Medford Moorer, respectively, served, with Cantrell the first fullback since 2005, when Lawrence Vickers was named.
It is just the 11th time in 119 years that as many as four players will serve as season-long team captains; three of those occasions, the Buffaloes won conference titles: Big Eight crowns in 1976 and 1989 and the Big 12 trophy in 2001.
“It’s an honor,” Walters said. “I’ve wanted to play for the Buffs my whole life, the fact that my teammates voted for me to be a captain—it means a lot.”
2008 TEAM MAKE-UP
The 111 players listed on the roster on September 1 broke down into 16 seniors, 19 juniors, 25 sophomores and 51 freshmen (including 26 redshirt frosh). An expanded breakdown:
Lettermen Returning: 40 (18 offense, 20 defense, 2 specialists) Lettermen Lost: 24 (15 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialist)
Starters Returning (14)—Offense 6: TE Riar Geer (17/8), QB Cody Hawkins (13/13), WR Scotty McKnight (5/5), OT Ryan Miller (7/7), C Daniel Sanders (28/13), WR Patrick Williams (14/7). Defense 8: CB Benjamin Burney (15/13), SS D.J. Dykes (12/12), DT George Hypolite (20/12), OLB Brad Jones (24/13), DE Maurice Lucas (14/7), NT Brandon Nicolas (24/13), ILB Jeff Smart (10/10), FS Ryan Walters (22/12). (Career/2007 starts in parenthesis; calculated by those with five-plus starts and were regulars or starting at the end of 2007.)
Others Returning With Significant Starting Experience (7; min. 3 career starts)— FB Jake Behrens (3/3), CB Cha’pelle Brown (12/8), FB Maurice Cantrell (7/2), WR Cody Crawford (4/1), OG Devin Head (7/6), WR Josh Smith (5/5), OT Nate Solder (4/4, all at TE).
Others Returning With Significant Position Game Experience (8; two or fewer career starts)— DT Jason Brace, CB Jalil Brown, ILB Marcus Burton, WR Kendrick Celestine, DT Taj Kaynor, CB Gardner McKay, ILB Michael Sipili, CB Jimmy Smith.
Starters Lost (8)—Offense 5: TB Hugh Charles (24/5), OT/G Edwin Harrison (29/13), OG Kai Maiava (9/9), OT Tyler Polumbus (28/13), WR Dusty Sprague 21/6). Defense 3: DE Alonzo Barrett (14/13), ILB Jordon Dizon (47/13), CB Terrence Wheatley (30/11).
Others Lost With Significant Starting/Playing Experience (9)— ILB R.J. Brown (1/1), TE Tyson DeVree (6/3), TB Byron Ellis (10/5), SS Lionel Harris (8/1), WR/KR Chase McBride (0/0), WR Stephone Robinson (3/2), TE Joe Sanders (1/1).
Specialists Returning (2)— P Matt DiLallo, SN Justin Drescher. Specialists Lost (2)— PK Kevin Eberhart, PK Tyler Cope.
AROUND THE NATION
Colorado gets most of its players from primarily three states: Colorado, California and Texas (74 percent of the entire roster—82 of 110 players). The roll call of state producers for the Buffs: Colorado 43, California 34, Texas 5, Arizona 4, Florida 4, Hawai’i 3, Idaho 3, Ohio 2, Tennessee 2, Georgia 1, Iowa 1, Kansas 1, Kentucky 1, Massachusetts 1, Michigan 1, Nebraska 1, Pennsylvania 1, Utah 1, Washington 1 and Washington D.C. 1. That's 19 states total along with the District of Columbia that has produced the make-up of this year’s team. (Army has the most states represented with 35, followed by Notre Dame with 29 and Navy with 27). 2008 Colorado Football: Numbers 8
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Here’s where the Buffs rank statistically in select categories in the Big 12 and the NCAA through games of October 11:
TEAM B12 NCAA Category Stat B12 NCAA Category Stat B12 NCAA Category Stat 12th 97th RUSHING OFFENSE ...... 114.8 9th 85th RUSHING DEFENSE ...... 168.0 7th 59th PUNT RETURNS ...... 9.7 12th 83rd PASSING OFFENSE ...... 195.3 3rd 50th PASSING DEFENSE ...... 195.0 7th 36th KICKOFF RETURNS ...... 23.1 12th 99th TOTAL OFFENSE ...... 310.2 7th 70th TOTAL DEFENSE ...... 363.0 6th 57th NET PUNTING ...... 35.1 12th 81st SCORING OFFENSE ...... 22.5 8th 78th SCORING DEFENSE ...... 27.0 9th 77th TURNOVER MARGIN ...... -0.33
INDIVIDUAL (Top 25 in conference) Rushing Big 12 NCAA Yds/Gm Josh Smith ...... 30th …… 3.2 Field Goals Big 12 NCAA FG/Gm Rodney Stewart ...... 3rd 58th 75.5 Receiving Yards Big 12 NCAA Yds/Gm Aric Goodman ...... 9th 96th 0.50 Darrell Scott ...... 29th …… 26.0 Josh Smith ...... 28th …… 43.2 Interceptions Big 12 NCAA Avg./Gm Passing Big 12 NCAA Cmp/Gm Punting Big 12 NCAA Avg. Cha’pelle Brown ...... 4th 55th 0.33 Cody Hawkins ...... 8th 48th 18.0 Matt DiLallo ...... 4th 31st 41.9 D.J. Dykes ...... 12th …… 0.20 Pass Efficiency Big 12 NCAA Rating Punt Returns Big 12 NCAA Avg. QB Sacks Big 12 NCAA Avg./Gm Cody Hawkins ...... 12th 80th 114.0 Josh Smith ...... 5th 33rd 11.2 Brad Jones ...... 11th 71st 0.50 Total Offense Big 12 NCAA Yds/Gm Kickoff Returns Big 12 NCAA Avg. Marquez Herrod ...... 11th 71st 0.50 Cody Hawkins ...... 12th 86th 165.7 Josh Smith ...... 3rd 12th 29.3 Tackles For Loss Big 12 NCAA Avg./Gm Rodney Stewart ...... 15th …… 75.5 Scoring Big 12 NCAA Pts/Gm Brad Jones ...... 6th 49th 1.17 All-Purpose Big 12 NCAA Yds/Gm Aric Goodman ...... 37th …… 4.5 Tackles Josh Smith ...... 2rd 14th 169.3 Josh Smith ...... 39th …… 4.0 CU uses coaches’ video; numbers don’t match Receptions Big 12 NCAA No./Gm Kick Scoring Big 12 NCAA Pts/Gm Scotty McKnight ...... 24th …… 3.5 Aric Goodman ...... 11th …… 4.5
CAREER CHART WATCH
Here’s where several Buffs are ranked on some of CU’s all-time statistical charts six games into the 2008 season (Note: Colorado does not count bowl stats into career totals to protect past history):
⇒ QB CODY HAWKINS is eighth in passing yards (3,709), is tied for fifth in completions (347), is fifth in attempts (615), is sixth in touchdown passes (30), is tied for 11th in interceptions (21) and is ninth in total offense (3,676); ⇒ WR RIAR GEER is 50th in receptions (41) and is 78th in receiving yards (418); ⇒ DT GEORGE HYPOLITE is 22nd in tackles for loss (26) and is 34th in quarterback sacks (9½); ⇒ OLB BRAD JONES is 55th in total tackles (203); ⇒ WR SCOTTY McKNIGHT is 25th in receptions (64) and is 33rd in receiving yards (704); ⇒ WR JOSH SMITH is 49th in receptions (42), is 31st in receiving yards (710), is 16th in kickoff returns (557) and is 62nd in all-purpose yards (1,501); ⇒ TB RODNEY STEWART is 93rd in rushing yards (453); ⇒ TB DEMETRIUS SUMLER is 99th in rushing yards (412); ⇒ FS RYAN WALTERS is 62nd in total tackles (193) and is 25th in pass deflections (17); ⇒ WR PATRICK WILLIAMS is 14th in receptions (90) and is 24th in receiving yards (902).
CAPITAL RETURNS
CU’s success often correlates directly with if it owns a hefty margin in return yards, as was the case in the 2001, 2002 and 2004 seasons—when the Buffs won the Big 12 North. The Buffs had advantages of 854-417 (2001), 803-607 (2002) and 574-499 (2004) in return yards, which includes all return yardage other than those on kickoffs (in 2006, the opponent had the upper hand at 390-277, but for 2007, CU had 677 and owned a 269-yard edge on the enemy); CU is off to a 326-164 edge after four games in 2008. And the Buffs have 43 return and/or non-offensive touchdowns over the last nine seasons (39 regular season, four bowl game), tied for the seventh most in the nation for this span. The overall list through games of October 11:
School 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Bowls Total School 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Bowls Total Virginia Tech 8 6 7 7 10 6 6 5 9 1 3 68 North Carolina State 3 2 4 9 10 5 2 2 3 2 1 43 Kansas State 9 5 2 12 6 4 5 9 7 6 1 66 Ohio State 1 7 3 3 4 6 6 4 4 2 3 43 Texas 6 6 6 7 9 2 7 8 5 3 2 61 Southern California 9 4 8 1 8 3 5 2 0 2 0 42 Miami, Fla. 3 13 11 5 9 8 3 1 1 3 3 60 Boise State 2 4 3 4 4 6 7 3 1 0 6 40 Oklahoma 4 7 6 8 9 3 3 4 7 0 2 53 East Carolina 7 5 4 5 4 3 0 3 2 4 3 40 Fresno State 5 5 3 5 4 6 6 4 5 3 2 48 Hawaii 0 1 7 5 3 8 0 5 9 1 0 39 COLORADO 5 4 7 7 1 6 3 1 3 2 4 43 Texas Tech 3 7 8 5 3 2 3 2 1 2 1 37 California 6 3 1 8 1 2 4 8 5 5 0 43 San Jose State 5 7 1 7 5 4 3 1 3 1 0 37 Nebraska 6 7 5 6 4 2 4 0 3 3 3 43 Wake Forest 1 2 2 3 6 5 3 3 10 0 0 35 Notre Dame 4 6 4 9 3 3 5 4 3 2 0 43 TCU 5 3 4 6 3 1 3 3 5 1 1 35
2008 LEADERS: Kansas St. 6, Alabama 5, Auburn 5, California 5, Florida 5, Louisville 5, Missouri 5, North Carolina 5, Oklahoma State 5, six with 4.
OUCH … LITERALLY
Colorado has lost 55 games due to injury or illness so far in 2008 (as of October 11), a number that will be no less than 95 when including the future missed games of five players who have been lost for the season. All but six of those 55 are by players who figured in either the two-deep or prominently on special teams. The Buffs are a bit shorthanded as Hawkins & Staff continue to rebuild the CU roster, but have 17 on the inactive roster now (seven injured, six ineligible, four transfers), not including 16 freshmen ticketed to redshirt. 2008 Colorado Football: Charts & Bests 9
ROAD-SWEET-ROAD: BUFFS 12TH BEST IN ENEMY STADIUMS SINCE ‘88
The Buffaloes have enjoyed a lot of success on the road over the last 20 seasons. CU has been ON THE ROAD (1988-2008) victorious 59 of the last 98 times in enemy stadiums with a 59-40-1 overall road record (a School G W L T Pct. 59.5 winning percentage) since the start of the 1988 season. That stands 12th nationally Miami, Fla. 105 76 29 0 .724 (ninth in raw wins) and third among Big 12 Conference teams in this span; only 11 schools Florida State 97 69 28 0 .711 Ohio State 96 67 27 2 .708 have won 60 percent of their away games in this time frame. During this time frame, CU won Michigan 97 67 27 3 .706 a school record 10 straight road games between 1994 and 1996. The Buffaloes own a 48-27- Tennessee 96 66 28 2 .698 1 mark in their last 75 road conference games (Big 8 & Big 12—six losses at Nebraska, three Florida 83 55 27 1 .669 Nebraska 98 63 32 3 .658 at Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri, two at Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech; and Texas 98 63 35 0 .643 one each at Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M; the tie was at K-State in 1993). CU is 23- Notre Dame 96 60 34 2 .635 26 on the Big 12 road since 1996 (0-1 in 2008). The chart to the right does not include Southern Cal 111 69 40 2 .631 neutral site games, despite some being anything but (i.e., Colorado vs. Texas at Irving for the Alabama 94 58 36 0 .617 COLORADO 100 59 40 1 .595 ’01 Big 12 title.)
21sT BEST IN THE NATION SINCE 1989
Colorado has the nation’s 21st best record over the last 19-plus seasons, or since the start of 1989, CU has posted a 151-84-4 record. From opening 1-0 in ’89, through the 10th game of the 2005 season, the Buffs owned one of the top 10 overall records in the nation (247 consecutive weeks); that was snapped with a loss to
Nebraska late in 2005. The best Division I-A records from the start of 1989 through all games of October 11: vs. AP Ranked Teams Rk School G W L T Pct. G W- L-T 2008 1 Florida State 243 192 50 1 .792 100 67-32-1 4-1 2 Ohio State 243 186 54 3 .772 97 55-39-3 5-1 3 Miami, Fla. 236 182 54 0 .771 89 51-38-0 3-3 4 Florida 245 188 56 1 .769 106 60-45-1 5-1 5 Nebraska 243 185 57 1 .763 73 36-36-1 3-3 6 Tennessee 243 182 58 3 .755 95 51-41-3 2-4 7 Michigan 239 177 59 3 .747 99 60-37-2 2-4 8 Texas 239 170 67 2 .715 79 38-39-2 6-0 9 Virginia Tech 238 167 69 2 .706 64 30-33-1 5-1 10 Penn State 239 167 71 1 .701 85 40-45-0 7-0 11 Georgia 236 163 72 1 .693 85 36-48-1 5-1 12 Auburn 236 161 72 3 .689 78 33-44-1 3-3 13 Oklahoma 239 163 73 3 .688 77 35-41-1 5-1 14 Southern Cal 239 162 73 4 .686 88 48-39-1 4-1 15 Alabama 240 160 79 1 .669 84 38-45-1 6-0 16 Brigham Young 244 162 80 2 .668 38 11-26-1 6-0 17 Notre Dame 237 157 78 2 .667 89 40-47-2 4-2 18 Texas A & M 239 157 80 2 .661 75 29-45-1 2-4 19 Kansas State 236 152 83 1 .646 58 19-38-1 4-2 20 Toledo 228 145 80 3 .643 11 5- 6-0 2-4 21 COLORADO 239 151 84 4 .640 98 42-54-2 3-3
THE BUFFALOES IN THE BIG 12
The Big 12 Conference has wrapped its 12th season, and the Buffaloes are tied for the second most division titles won with four, trailing only Oklahoma’s six. Just seven of the schools in the conference have won a division title, with Missouri the first “newbie” to do so in six years. A closer look: