Spring Game Notes

The offense racked up more than 500 yards, Cody Hawkins threw for two touchdowns, Marcus Burton led the defense with 10 tackles. But Ralphie V stole the show Saturday at Colorado's annual spring game.

The Buffs divided into Black and Gold teams for Saturday’s spring game. The Black team consisted of the first team offense and second team defense. The Gold was the first team defense and second D. But several players flowed between the two teams.

In the end, the offense had an impressive 536 yards and scored five touchdowns. Cody Hawkins went 15 of 22 for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman receiver Markques Simas had his best scrimmage to date, hauling in four catches.

Linebacker Marcus Burton led the defense with 10 tackles, while linebacker B.J. Beatty had six tackles (five solo), two tackles for a loss, a sack and a third down stop.

Record Crowd
The official attendance Saturday was 17,800. That bettered the CU record spring game attendance by more than 4,000 fans.

No. 1 QB?
Hawkins did nothing to loosen his grip on the No. 1 quarterback job Saturday. Coaches will not name a starter now that spring ball is done. But Dan Hawkins indicated they’ll name one earlier – rather than later – in August camp this go around.

Meet The New Ralphie
Hawkins made a handful of plays out of nothing, Darrell Scott signed dozens of autographs and the punt return blocked three punts. But a speedy Buffalo stole the show during Saturday’s spring game.

Ralphie V took her first public run around the turf at Folsom prior to kickoff and just before the second half began. It was clear to all who watched, the 1 ½ year old Bison is a faster beast than her predecessor, Ralphie IV, who was retired following the 2007 season. Ralphie V is a scatback to IV’s offensive lineman.

Weighing in at 750 pounds, V blazes the loop around Folsom at about 25 seconds, roughly 20 seconds faster than Ralphie IV used to. During her second half run, V burst out of her pen and lost all but one handler, who hung on for dear life until the others surrounded the Buffalo at around the 30 yard line. Handlers back in place, Ralphie V then burned ahead for 70 yards into her trailer.

No Faatagi
Senior offensive guard Erick Faatagi had been battling for a spot on the first team during spring ball, but he did not participate Saturday. Matt Bahr drew most of the work with the first team at guard opposite Devin Head. Faatagi, who has battled injury and academic issues since he’s been at Colorado was not at the game. Asked about his absence afterward, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes would only say, “Erick Faatagi was not able to participate today.”

Grimes said Bahr, the redshirt freshman, had a good week of practice the past week and earned the reps with the first team. However, Grimes emphasized a starting offensive line is far from settled.

While Daniel Sanders (center), Nate Solder (tackle), Ryan Miller (tackle) and Head (guard) appear to have the lead at their respective positions, Grimes said Shawn Daniels will get a look at guard in August, along with Mike Iltis.

Good News/Bad News
Patrick Williams, Cody Crawford and Jimmy Smith each blocked a punt on Saturday. Williams and Smith came off the edge, while Crawford found a seam up the middle. But the blocks came against the scout team punting unit. In fact, longsapper Justin Drescher sat out the scrimmage, and his backup, Austin Bisnow, doesn’t have the zip on the ball that Drescher does.

Head coach Dan Hawkins said afterwards it was good to see the blocks. He’s used to his teams getting six to eight blocks a season, but that hasn’t happened yet at Colorado since he’s been here.

Amazon Vacation
Rather than running a marathon or jumping out of a plane, Dan Hawkins will wrestle an anaconda this summer. The coach plans a family vacation to the Amazon River in July.