Insider: Colorado
KEEP AN EYE ON ’EM
Hugh Charles TB/Sr./5-8/190 pounds
Charles missed the majority of the first three games with a hamstring injury, but since getting healthy he’s been one of the Big 12’s best runners. Of his 86 rushes, 62 have gone for at least 5 yards. In the past six contests, he’s fifth nationally in all-purpose yardage.
Terrence Wheatley CB/Sr./5-10/175 pounds
Here’s a guy to really keep your eyes on, because he might not be in the game, and that would be a huge hit for the CU secondary. Wheatley has five interceptions and 10 breakups, but he didn’t play against Iowa State on Nov. 10 because of a hairline foot fracture.
George Hypolite DT/Jr./6-1/285 pounds
It’s unusual for an interior lineman to lead a team in sacks, but that’s what Hypolite is doing for the Buffs. His presence in the middle (34 of 43 tackles are solos) may have Nebraska relying more on perimeter runs than a straight North-South approach.
Quarterbacks: Cody Hawkins, oldest son of CU’s head coach, is one of just 16 freshmen starting at quarterback in NCAA Bowl Subdivision. As could be expected, he’s had mixed results. His 2,452 passing yards are the sixth-most in one season at Colorado. His 17 TDs are fifth-most … and his 15 interceptions are second-most. He’s not much of a running threat, as he has 21 true rushes (with only six of those producing as many as 5 yards). Understandably, the kid knows the system better than most players with his experience, and because of that you’ll see the Buffs look for more vertical passing plays.
Running backs: Hugh Charles is about to lead the Buffs in rushing for the third straight season. Though one of the smallest backs in the Big 12, he’s been able to grind out 2,490 yards (a total that ranks seventh all-time at CU). Earlier this season, he had four straight 100-yard efforts, including 110 against Oklahoma and 171 against Kansas State. He’s also a decent receiver (23 catches for 200 yards). Redshirt freshman Demetrius Sumler is in position to be Charles’ successor, as he has 100 carries (but just a 3.4-yard average). Freshman Brian Lockridge got five attempts against Iowa State and gained 61 yards.
Wide receivers: The Buffs rotate four players at the two main receiver spots, and will sometimes utilize three-wide sets. Scotty McKnight leads the team with 40 receptions (most ever by a CU freshman) and 454 yards. He splits time with senior Dusty Sprague, who’s having his best season (26 catches, 314 yards). Patrick Williams (26-261) and true freshman Josh Smith are interchangeable at the other spot. Smith, who missed the first two games with a bruised kidney, is CU’s best deep threat. He’s averaged 20.5 yards on 21 catches. Tight ends Tyson De Vree and Riar Geer have a combined 37 catches and seven TDs.
Offensive line: The Buffs are extremely young and not very deep here. Freshman left guard Kai Maiava also is listed as the backup at center and the No. 3 right guard. Starting right guard Edwin Harrison, who moved from right tackle in the seventh game, is No. 2 at his old position. Ryan Miller took over at right tackle to become the first true freshman at CU to start at that position. At the other tackle spot, senior Tyler Polumbus is the only Buff to play every single snap this season. He and center Daniel Sanders, a Rimington Trophy candidate who’s been on the field for 802 of 812 plays, have a combined 46 starts.
Defensive line: Sophomore Chris Perri made his first career start at left end in the last game at Iowa State, but he’s now listed No. 2 on the right side behind Maurice Lucas and also at nose tackle. This unit’s strength is definitely on the inside with George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas, who have 78 tackles between them. Nicolas has just 35, but is tied for the team high with 11 for loss and has another 10 for no gain. Colorado’s ends haven’t been able to generate a strong pass rush, as Lucas and right-side starter Alonzo Barrett have only one sack each. Barrett has five hurries, but Lucas none.
Linebackers: Jordon Dizon, the lone senior on the depth chart, is clearly the leader of this bunch and rarely comes off the field. One of three finalists for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker, he’s made 108 of 144 tackles on his own. Dizon has been a regular since his first game. CU’s other inside backer, sophomore Jeff Smart, is third on the team with 74 tackles even though he didn’t start the first three games. Outside backer Brad Jones, a junior, is fourth with 68 stops. CU misses R. J. Brown, who played just three games before a severe concussion ended his season.
Defensive backs: The Buffs desperately need Terrence Wheatley back at left corner and Ryan Walters at free safety. Both were hurt against Missouri and sat out against Iowa State. In that span, CU has allowed 11 passes of at least 20 yards. Wheatley is one of the top cover corners in the country (he had three interceptions against Texas Tech and is credited for allowing just eight completions all season while playing man coverage). He’s listed as day-to-day; Walters is probable. Right corners Benjamin Burney and Cha’pelle Brown have a combined 16 breakups. Strong safety Daniel Dykes is No. 2 with 79 tackles.
Special teams: The Buffs may lack a game-changing return player, but are solid in every special-teams category. They’re one of just two clubs nationally to rank in the top half of all five areas. In the past six games, opponents have averaged just 2.9 yards per punt return. Chase McBride handles CU’s returns and is averaging 9.6. Fifth-year senior Kevin Eberhart, who’s replaced two-time All-American Mason Crosby, has booted two game-winning field goals (Colorado State and Oklahoma), is 14-of-22 overall and 8-of-11 from 40 yards-plus. Matt DiLallo is the Big 12’s fifth-leading punter, averaging 40.2 yards.
SCOUTING REPORT
Third-ranked Oklahoma led Colorado 24-7 early in the third quarter of their Sept. 29 game in Boulder, but Kevin Eberhart’s 45-yard field goal as time expired capped a 20-point flurry to give the Buffaloes a 27-24 upset of Bob Stoops’ club.
Down 24-10, the Buffs got an interception by Ryan Walters, then scored on fourth-and-goal from the 4 to make it 24-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter. A recovery of a fumbled punt at the OU 16 led to a 15-yard TD pass by Cody Hawkins that tied the game, and after CU forced a punt, Chase McBride returned it 33 yards to midfield to set up the winning drive.
Hawkins completed 22 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two TDs. Tailback Hugh Charles rushed for 110 yards and had five receptions for another 48.
“I knew they had a great defense. (Colorado) was one of the best defenses we faced last year. We got up 24-7 and then they outplayed us in a big-time way the rest of the game.
“I thought (Hawkins) did a great job. What you appreciate about him is that we had some interceptions and some big plays on him, and he hung in there and made his plays in the second half to help his team win.
“I thought that the turning point was the (pass) down the middle when (Juaquin Iglesias) was wide open and it just goes off his fingers (and was intercepted by Daniel Dykes with under seven minutes remaining). With that, we would’ve had a big play (leading 24-17), and it would’ve put us in scoring position again, but then (Colorado) gets it. That, to me, was when all the momentum switched and we never got it back.”
Hugh Charles TB/Sr./5-8/190 pounds
Charles missed the majority of the first three games with a hamstring injury, but since getting healthy he’s been one of the Big 12’s best runners. Of his 86 rushes, 62 have gone for at least 5 yards. In the past six contests, he’s fifth nationally in all-purpose yardage.
Terrence Wheatley CB/Sr./5-10/175 pounds
Here’s a guy to really keep your eyes on, because he might not be in the game, and that would be a huge hit for the CU secondary. Wheatley has five interceptions and 10 breakups, but he didn’t play against Iowa State on Nov. 10 because of a hairline foot fracture.
George Hypolite DT/Jr./6-1/285 pounds
It’s unusual for an interior lineman to lead a team in sacks, but that’s what Hypolite is doing for the Buffs. His presence in the middle (34 of 43 tackles are solos) may have Nebraska relying more on perimeter runs than a straight North-South approach.
Quarterbacks: Cody Hawkins, oldest son of CU’s head coach, is one of just 16 freshmen starting at quarterback in NCAA Bowl Subdivision. As could be expected, he’s had mixed results. His 2,452 passing yards are the sixth-most in one season at Colorado. His 17 TDs are fifth-most … and his 15 interceptions are second-most. He’s not much of a running threat, as he has 21 true rushes (with only six of those producing as many as 5 yards). Understandably, the kid knows the system better than most players with his experience, and because of that you’ll see the Buffs look for more vertical passing plays.
Running backs: Hugh Charles is about to lead the Buffs in rushing for the third straight season. Though one of the smallest backs in the Big 12, he’s been able to grind out 2,490 yards (a total that ranks seventh all-time at CU). Earlier this season, he had four straight 100-yard efforts, including 110 against Oklahoma and 171 against Kansas State. He’s also a decent receiver (23 catches for 200 yards). Redshirt freshman Demetrius Sumler is in position to be Charles’ successor, as he has 100 carries (but just a 3.4-yard average). Freshman Brian Lockridge got five attempts against Iowa State and gained 61 yards.
Wide receivers: The Buffs rotate four players at the two main receiver spots, and will sometimes utilize three-wide sets. Scotty McKnight leads the team with 40 receptions (most ever by a CU freshman) and 454 yards. He splits time with senior Dusty Sprague, who’s having his best season (26 catches, 314 yards). Patrick Williams (26-261) and true freshman Josh Smith are interchangeable at the other spot. Smith, who missed the first two games with a bruised kidney, is CU’s best deep threat. He’s averaged 20.5 yards on 21 catches. Tight ends Tyson De Vree and Riar Geer have a combined 37 catches and seven TDs.
Offensive line: The Buffs are extremely young and not very deep here. Freshman left guard Kai Maiava also is listed as the backup at center and the No. 3 right guard. Starting right guard Edwin Harrison, who moved from right tackle in the seventh game, is No. 2 at his old position. Ryan Miller took over at right tackle to become the first true freshman at CU to start at that position. At the other tackle spot, senior Tyler Polumbus is the only Buff to play every single snap this season. He and center Daniel Sanders, a Rimington Trophy candidate who’s been on the field for 802 of 812 plays, have a combined 46 starts.
Defensive line: Sophomore Chris Perri made his first career start at left end in the last game at Iowa State, but he’s now listed No. 2 on the right side behind Maurice Lucas and also at nose tackle. This unit’s strength is definitely on the inside with George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas, who have 78 tackles between them. Nicolas has just 35, but is tied for the team high with 11 for loss and has another 10 for no gain. Colorado’s ends haven’t been able to generate a strong pass rush, as Lucas and right-side starter Alonzo Barrett have only one sack each. Barrett has five hurries, but Lucas none.
Linebackers: Jordon Dizon, the lone senior on the depth chart, is clearly the leader of this bunch and rarely comes off the field. One of three finalists for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker, he’s made 108 of 144 tackles on his own. Dizon has been a regular since his first game. CU’s other inside backer, sophomore Jeff Smart, is third on the team with 74 tackles even though he didn’t start the first three games. Outside backer Brad Jones, a junior, is fourth with 68 stops. CU misses R. J. Brown, who played just three games before a severe concussion ended his season.
Defensive backs: The Buffs desperately need Terrence Wheatley back at left corner and Ryan Walters at free safety. Both were hurt against Missouri and sat out against Iowa State. In that span, CU has allowed 11 passes of at least 20 yards. Wheatley is one of the top cover corners in the country (he had three interceptions against Texas Tech and is credited for allowing just eight completions all season while playing man coverage). He’s listed as day-to-day; Walters is probable. Right corners Benjamin Burney and Cha’pelle Brown have a combined 16 breakups. Strong safety Daniel Dykes is No. 2 with 79 tackles.
Special teams: The Buffs may lack a game-changing return player, but are solid in every special-teams category. They’re one of just two clubs nationally to rank in the top half of all five areas. In the past six games, opponents have averaged just 2.9 yards per punt return. Chase McBride handles CU’s returns and is averaging 9.6. Fifth-year senior Kevin Eberhart, who’s replaced two-time All-American Mason Crosby, has booted two game-winning field goals (Colorado State and Oklahoma), is 14-of-22 overall and 8-of-11 from 40 yards-plus. Matt DiLallo is the Big 12’s fifth-leading punter, averaging 40.2 yards.
SCOUTING REPORT
Third-ranked Oklahoma led Colorado 24-7 early in the third quarter of their Sept. 29 game in Boulder, but Kevin Eberhart’s 45-yard field goal as time expired capped a 20-point flurry to give the Buffaloes a 27-24 upset of Bob Stoops’ club.
Down 24-10, the Buffs got an interception by Ryan Walters, then scored on fourth-and-goal from the 4 to make it 24-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter. A recovery of a fumbled punt at the OU 16 led to a 15-yard TD pass by Cody Hawkins that tied the game, and after CU forced a punt, Chase McBride returned it 33 yards to midfield to set up the winning drive.
Hawkins completed 22 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two TDs. Tailback Hugh Charles rushed for 110 yards and had five receptions for another 48.
“I knew they had a great defense. (Colorado) was one of the best defenses we faced last year. We got up 24-7 and then they outplayed us in a big-time way the rest of the game.
“I thought (Hawkins) did a great job. What you appreciate about him is that we had some interceptions and some big plays on him, and he hung in there and made his plays in the second half to help his team win.
“I thought that the turning point was the (pass) down the middle when (Juaquin Iglesias) was wide open and it just goes off his fingers (and was intercepted by Daniel Dykes with under seven minutes remaining). With that, we would’ve had a big play (leading 24-17), and it would’ve put us in scoring position again, but then (Colorado) gets it. That, to me, was when all the momentum switched and we never got it back.”
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