On defense, senior linebacker Brad Jones led the Buff defense with 14 tackles. Sophomore placekicker Aric Goodman was perfect on the day, connecting on all three field goal attempts and all five PATs.
Freshman running back Rodney Stewart was perhaps the most notable player on the field, making several outstanding plays, including an excellent run and catch on a screen pass from Hawkins which Stewart turned into a 29-yard touchdown.
Looking for a positive defensive stat? Try this one: The Buffs’ defense held the offense to only three of 18 on third down attempts.
"We had some guys show up and make some plays today (at the first scrimmage)," said Coach Hawkins, "but we have to go back and look at film."
The Buffs and their coaches did go back and look at film, went back to the practice fields (with a side trip to Water World on Wednesday, August 14), and then conducted a second scrimmage on Sunday.
Second scrimmage: Sunday, August 17
Want a measure of the excitement over the 2008 Buffs? Take this number from CU's second scrimmage: 1,400—as in 1,400 fans who showed up to watch.
No, these are not Nebraska or Alabama practice numbers, but the numbers are significantly higher than the Buffs have had in the recent past. Buff fans are ready for some football!
On the field, it was the Buffs' defense which took its turn to have a good outing. There were eight offensive touchdowns scored in the 137-play scrimmage, but overall Dan Hawkins was pleased with the defensive effort.
"I think from a defensive standpoint—last week the offense came out and got things going—the defense started out better this time," said Hawkins. "Not as many plays from the ones and the twos."
In the first fall scrimmage, the Buffs' secondary did not record an interception. On August 17, though, there were two, both by sophomore cornerback Jalil Brown. The defense recorded five sacks, including two by senior defensive tackle George Hypolite, and one each by freshman linebacker Douglas Rippy, redshirt freshman linebacker Tyler Ahles, and freshman linebacker Brandon Gouin.
The defense had four players who recorded seven tackles apiece to lead the defense: junior linebacker Marcus Burton, sophomore linebacker Michael Sipili, freshman safety Patrick Mahnke, and junior linebacker Shaun Mohler (senior linebacker Brad Jones, who led the defense with 14 tackles in the first scrimmage, was held out of the second scrimmage while nursing minor injuries).
This is not to say that the offense did not have its moments on August 17. Cody Hawkins was 17 of 27 for 225 yards and two touchdowns (with one interception). The rushing game was actually headed up by freshman quarterback Tyler Hansen, who had 72 yards on six carries (those who are supposed to carry the ball on a regular basis were led by sophomore tailback Corey Nabors, who had 53 yards on only four carries).
The leading receivers were sophomore Scotty McKnight (five catches for 73 yards and one touchdown) and freshman tight end Ryan Deehan (five catches for 71 yards).
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