Buffs Take Aim At Correcting Errors

BOULDER — One day after the Colorado Buffaloes touched down from their longest flight of the season, they were back on the field, working on correcting the errors that paved the way for a 28-20 loss to Hawai'i in Thursday's season opener.

By the time the Buffs hit the field Saturday afternoon, they had all had the opportunity to watch game film of the defeat, a loss that included a blocked punt, three turnovers and one Hawai'i pass play that accounted for nearly 40 percent of the Rainbow Warriors' total passing yardage.

"The first half, we shot ourselves in the foot … pretty monumental shots to the foot to say the least," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "We really shot ourselves in the leg, the head .. (But) things like that happen and you have to overcome it. I thought we battled back and had a chance to overcome it and kept fighting."

Defensively, MacIntyre said the Buffs "played hard," but made critical errors in the red zone and on the 79-yard pass completion that went for a touchdown. Offensively, the Buffs struggled against Hawaii's stunting front, which resulted in four sacks of quarterback Sefo Liufau; and there was a missed assignment on the blocked punt.

On the plus side, MacIntyre said he saw some good things from defensive linemen Jordan Carrell and Jase Franke, both of whom were playing in their first major college game; and running back Michael Adkins II.

"He's a good runner," MacIntyre said of Adkins. "He's had a hard time staying healthy — nothing against him, that's just what always happens. If he stays healthy, he can really run."

Adkins had 90 of CU's 215 yards rushing in the game. Colorado actually outgained the Rainbow Warriors, 373-302, and held a nearly seven minute edge in time of possession.

"I said after the game I still think this is a good football team," MacIntyre said. "I believe we're a lot better than we were last year. I still think we're going to win a lot of football games."

The Buffs will practice again Sunday before taking Monday off. Their next game is their home opener, a noon contest Saturday against Massachusetts at Folsom Field, with the Pac-12 Network scheduled to televise the game.

ON FINAL PLAY: MacIntyre said he could not comment on what transpired on the game's final play, a 6-yard pass to Phillip Lindsay. Immediately after the play ended, there was confusion on the field when a referee tossed the ball to midfield and hit a Hawai'i player. Before the officials could finally spot the ball, time ran out before CU could run another play.

FIRST PLAYS AS BUFFS: Four true freshmen made their debut against Hawai'i: Patrick Carr, Nick Fisher, Alex Kinney and Isaiah Oliver. Also making their first appearance were redshirt freshmen Rick Gamboa, Jase Franke, Terran Hasselbach, Josh Kaiser, Dylan Keeney, Michael Mathewes, Jaisen Sanchez and Lee Walker; sophomores Leo Jackson III, Chris Hill and Afolabi Laguda; junior Jordan Carrell; and senior Colin Johnson.