Just off Missouri loss and amid injuries, CU to jump back in the game
After a humbling 55-10 loss to Missouri last weekend, the Buffs look to become bowl eligible with a victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
It’s a far cry from where the team stood last year, when a 33-16 victory over Iowa State earned the Buffs their second and final win in Dan Hawkins’ first season calling the plays.
First-year coach Gene Chizik was well on his way to facing his own disappointing inaugural season before rallying a 31-20 defeat of Kansas State, a team that has floated in and out of the top 25. The upset ended a six-game losing streak, although the Cyclones still stand with the worst overall record in the Big 12.
Four of Iowa State’s past six losses were against ranked opponents, and a fifth against previously-ranked Texas Tech. With such challenging opponents, a season record does not necessarily reflect the quality of the team, CU junior defensive tackle George Hypolite said.
“Their record is not indicative of how good that team is,” Hypolite said. “You know, they have played a lot of people very well and we are going to have to play them very well.”
In these tough match-ups the Cyclones have shown great improvement CU quarterback Cody Hawkins said.
“I watch their film, and I see them as a good football team,” Hawkins said. “I don’t care how many games they’ve won, how many games they’ve lost, but we know they’re playing with a lot on the line right now.”
CU is playing with a lot on the line as well. Coming off his 2-10 inaugural season at CU, coach Hawkins led the team to a 5-4 start before the blowout from Missouri last weekend. Now 5-5, the Buffs are just one game away from bowl eligibility.
Hawkins said faulty communication was a major issue on the field.
Cody Hawkins said the team is simplifying its play calling as well as when it runs certain plays to address those issues.
CU faces another obstacle with injuries from the Missouri game. Both safety Ryan Walters’ concussion and cornerback Terrence Wheatley’s ankle injury are day-to-day on whether they will play against Iowa State.
Senior Wheatley leads the Big 12 in interceptions with five, is second in the Big 12 averaging nearly 25 yards on kickoff returns and was named Walter Camp defensive player of the week after his three interceptions against Texas Tech on Oct. 27.
Junior Walters is the starter at free safety.
Even with injuries, Colorado is running on a 10-game winning streak in Ames, Iowa. They lead the series 47-13-1.
CU’s younger players will take this game as an opportunity to showcase what they have learned from the Missouri loss and what they have been able to build upon this week in practice, Hypolite said.
“It teaches you to get over it each week,” Hypolite said. “You got to take what you can from that week, learn from it and move on.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Margot Schneider at margot.schneider@thecampuspress.com
