Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
Nebraska is 'biggest game of our season' for CU
Confident Buffaloes seeking momentum for 2007 with victory
David Zalubowski © AP
Colorado's Bernard Jackson threw for two touchdowns and scored on a 5-yard run Saturday against Iowa State. The Buffaloes won their second game of the season and end the year Nov. 24 at Nebraska.STORY TOOLS
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Hawkins convinced CU on track
UNC no match for Purdue
Colorado State women 89, Missouri-Kansas City 72
Heisman poll, November 14
Ashaolu happy to be alive
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
November 13, 2006
BOULDER - The Colorado Buffaloes might eye the situation like this: If they can't deny Nebraska a Big 12 Conference North Division title, they can close their season by beating the North champion.
For a couple of decades, merely playing the Cornhuskers usually has been incentive enough for the Buffs. But in a two-win season, any extra slivers of impetus are accepted.
Had Texas A&M held on Saturday and beaten Nebraska, CU might have been cast as a spoiler for its Nov. 24 trip to Lincoln. But by rallying for a 28-27 win against the Aggies, the Cornhuskers claimed their first North title under coach Bill Callahan and are bound for the Big 12 championship game Dec. 2 in Kansas City, Mo.
Thus, CU is left to muster whatever momentum by whatever means for its final game. Seeing Nebraska next on the schedule usually suffices.
"The season is behind us for the most part," Buffs senior guard/ tri-captain Brian Daniels said. "Winning in Lincoln, I know would make my season . . . and really give the Buffs a platform to start (2007)."
To that end, CU (2-9 overall, 2-5 Big 12) did itself a favor Saturday in a 33-16 tuneup against reeling Iowa State (3-8, 0-7).
For at least one weekend, the Buffs were impressive in an afternoon of run-pass-kick competition: They ran for 263 yards, passed for 200 and got 15 points from the kicking of All-America placement specialist Mason Crosby (four field goals, three PATs).
"We were playing for more than just to win," said tailback Mell Holliday, who rushed for a CU career-best 126 yards and was one of 24 seniors appearing for the final time at Folsom Field.
"I think we wanted to make a statement, trying to have a good thing going so we have a better chance and more confidence when we go to play Nebraska. It was just a little more than winning the game."
The confidence gained from a 463-yard output that included bigger plays in the passing game was immeasurable.
Among 13 completions in 19 attempts by junior quarterback Bernard Jackson were touchdown throws of 26 and 39 yards, plus another 38-yard completion.
Maybe embellishing the afternoon's possibilities just a bit, Jackson said he and teammates felt there was nothing they couldn't accomplish offensively.
"Well, yes and no," offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich answered when asked about that prospect. "That's partially me just trying to build (Jackson's) confidence. I'll tell him that, and if he believes it, that's great. . . .
"But our guys played well. We were able to build on some things we didn't finish in the Kansas and Kansas State games. If we continue to do that, it could be a similar result (at Nebraska). That's definitely a positive going forward."
For a month or more, Helfrich's "need" list has been headed by confidence. Even if the Cyclones checked into Boulder having allowed a conference-worst 23 touchdown passes and 235.2 passing yards a game (10th), the Buffs being able to take advantage was a major step in the "we believe" category.
"We made some plays we haven't made this year, so that's always encouraging," Helfrich said.
Added Daniels, whose line allowed Jackson to be sacked just once: "The confidence issue is such a big thing. Having guys get in games and make big plays and perform the way they know they can propels us into next week."
Daniels and the Buffs' other seniors know more of what to expect of the Big Red atmosphere than most of CU's coaching staff. He said coach Dan Hawkins "is really big on treating every game the same, but, obviously, this one is huge - it is Nebraska."
As was done in seasons past under other coaches, Daniels expects Hawkins will follow tradition and invite former CU players to speak to about their Nebraska games.
"It's not over yet," Daniels said. "This is the biggest game of our season, and for a lot of our guys, the biggest game they'll play. We're going to rally the troops. We've got a lot to give for one more game."
CU: Answers to five key questions
1 How will Iowa State react to the resignation announcement of coach Dan McCarney?
The prospect of losing their coach didn't appear to be much of an emotional factor for the Cyclones, but they might be too injury ravaged to tell.
2 Can CU muster enough will to send out 24 seniors with a final home victory?
Yes. The Buffaloes started fast and finished strong. Their only offensive shortcoming was drives ending in four Mason Crosby field goals.
3 Which Buffs offense shows up - last week's first- or second-half model?
The latter. Offensively, CU picked up where it left off against Kansas State, amassing a season-best 463 yards (200 passing, 263 rushing) and averaged 8.1 yards a play.
4 Is CU's defense up to slowing Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer?
Yes. Meyer, a fine dual-threat player, didn't hurt the Buffaloes in passing or running. But he was minus his leading receiver, junior Todd Blythe (virus).
5 Can the Cyclones' patched up offensive line protect Meyer from Buffs sack leader Abraham Wright?
CU registered just two sacks - one by linebacker Jordon Dizon, the other by end Maurice Lucas (the first of his career). Wright came close on a couple of occasions but enters his final game with 11 1/2 sacks - 2 1/2 short of the school record.
brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466
Confident Buffaloes seeking momentum for 2007 with victory
David Zalubowski © AP
Colorado's Bernard Jackson threw for two touchdowns and scored on a 5-yard run Saturday against Iowa State. The Buffaloes won their second game of the season and end the year Nov. 24 at Nebraska.STORY TOOLS
Email this story | Print MORE STORIES
Hawkins convinced CU on track
UNC no match for Purdue
Colorado State women 89, Missouri-Kansas City 72
Heisman poll, November 14
Ashaolu happy to be alive
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
November 13, 2006
BOULDER - The Colorado Buffaloes might eye the situation like this: If they can't deny Nebraska a Big 12 Conference North Division title, they can close their season by beating the North champion.
For a couple of decades, merely playing the Cornhuskers usually has been incentive enough for the Buffs. But in a two-win season, any extra slivers of impetus are accepted.
Had Texas A&M held on Saturday and beaten Nebraska, CU might have been cast as a spoiler for its Nov. 24 trip to Lincoln. But by rallying for a 28-27 win against the Aggies, the Cornhuskers claimed their first North title under coach Bill Callahan and are bound for the Big 12 championship game Dec. 2 in Kansas City, Mo.
Thus, CU is left to muster whatever momentum by whatever means for its final game. Seeing Nebraska next on the schedule usually suffices.
"The season is behind us for the most part," Buffs senior guard/ tri-captain Brian Daniels said. "Winning in Lincoln, I know would make my season . . . and really give the Buffs a platform to start (2007)."
To that end, CU (2-9 overall, 2-5 Big 12) did itself a favor Saturday in a 33-16 tuneup against reeling Iowa State (3-8, 0-7).
For at least one weekend, the Buffs were impressive in an afternoon of run-pass-kick competition: They ran for 263 yards, passed for 200 and got 15 points from the kicking of All-America placement specialist Mason Crosby (four field goals, three PATs).
"We were playing for more than just to win," said tailback Mell Holliday, who rushed for a CU career-best 126 yards and was one of 24 seniors appearing for the final time at Folsom Field.
"I think we wanted to make a statement, trying to have a good thing going so we have a better chance and more confidence when we go to play Nebraska. It was just a little more than winning the game."
The confidence gained from a 463-yard output that included bigger plays in the passing game was immeasurable.
Among 13 completions in 19 attempts by junior quarterback Bernard Jackson were touchdown throws of 26 and 39 yards, plus another 38-yard completion.
Maybe embellishing the afternoon's possibilities just a bit, Jackson said he and teammates felt there was nothing they couldn't accomplish offensively.
"Well, yes and no," offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich answered when asked about that prospect. "That's partially me just trying to build (Jackson's) confidence. I'll tell him that, and if he believes it, that's great. . . .
"But our guys played well. We were able to build on some things we didn't finish in the Kansas and Kansas State games. If we continue to do that, it could be a similar result (at Nebraska). That's definitely a positive going forward."
For a month or more, Helfrich's "need" list has been headed by confidence. Even if the Cyclones checked into Boulder having allowed a conference-worst 23 touchdown passes and 235.2 passing yards a game (10th), the Buffs being able to take advantage was a major step in the "we believe" category.
"We made some plays we haven't made this year, so that's always encouraging," Helfrich said.
Added Daniels, whose line allowed Jackson to be sacked just once: "The confidence issue is such a big thing. Having guys get in games and make big plays and perform the way they know they can propels us into next week."
Daniels and the Buffs' other seniors know more of what to expect of the Big Red atmosphere than most of CU's coaching staff. He said coach Dan Hawkins "is really big on treating every game the same, but, obviously, this one is huge - it is Nebraska."
As was done in seasons past under other coaches, Daniels expects Hawkins will follow tradition and invite former CU players to speak to about their Nebraska games.
"It's not over yet," Daniels said. "This is the biggest game of our season, and for a lot of our guys, the biggest game they'll play. We're going to rally the troops. We've got a lot to give for one more game."
CU: Answers to five key questions
1 How will Iowa State react to the resignation announcement of coach Dan McCarney?
The prospect of losing their coach didn't appear to be much of an emotional factor for the Cyclones, but they might be too injury ravaged to tell.
2 Can CU muster enough will to send out 24 seniors with a final home victory?
Yes. The Buffaloes started fast and finished strong. Their only offensive shortcoming was drives ending in four Mason Crosby field goals.
3 Which Buffs offense shows up - last week's first- or second-half model?
The latter. Offensively, CU picked up where it left off against Kansas State, amassing a season-best 463 yards (200 passing, 263 rushing) and averaged 8.1 yards a play.
4 Is CU's defense up to slowing Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer?
Yes. Meyer, a fine dual-threat player, didn't hurt the Buffaloes in passing or running. But he was minus his leading receiver, junior Todd Blythe (virus).
5 Can the Cyclones' patched up offensive line protect Meyer from Buffs sack leader Abraham Wright?
CU registered just two sacks - one by linebacker Jordon Dizon, the other by end Maurice Lucas (the first of his career). Wright came close on a couple of occasions but enters his final game with 11 1/2 sacks - 2 1/2 short of the school record.
brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466
