Colorado University Athletics
Spring Game Quotes
Head Coach Dan Hawkins
On Impression of the Spring Game
“It was good. We’ll sit down and look at the film, you know it’s hard you see a couple plays here and a couple plays there but I was fired up about their attitude. Again it is hard because the offense ran the ball pretty well and that means the defense didn’t stop them. We didn’t turn the ball over too much on the offense but that means the defense didn’t get too many turnovers. That being said the defense was playing it pretty generic and that helps the offense more than the defense. Now we have to grind on finals and get ready for a good summer.”
On the Team
“That is always hard because you always have such great expectations for them. I think there is a little more savvy and maturity and the leadership is better. I thought it was awesome when we scrimmage on a Friday and there would be guys in on Saturday and Sunday watching film. All those are little attributes you have to have down the road.”
On Darrell Scott
“There’s going to be a time when he’s great. He’s always been a great kid and I’ve been so impressed with how he’s handled all the hype. Things didn’t go exactly how he wanted them to last year but never threw in the towel, he continued to show up and work hard. He continued to work on things and get better. It is hard when these guys get so much exposure. You just continue to work and get in shape and he has never been jealous of anyone else. When you have first class guys on your team, that’s how it comes together. When one of your best players can be that humble and that dedicated and that giving to everyone else, it’s great.”
On Spring Practice
“I think it was the best spring we’ve had. We need to get those young guys in here and get them going and see how they can contribute but I really feel like we’re starting to get some people that have been around the block, some competition, some depth and all those things bode well for these guys.”
Colorado Players
TB Darrell Scott
General
“It was fun and exciting out there today. I just made some plays. It was just really fun. It’s the culmination of hard work paying off in the weight room during the off season.”
On His Rush On Third-And-Five
“That just shows the confidence the coaches have in us, to give us the ball in that situation and get a first down. Usually that’s a passing situation, so if we can get in there and rush the ball in those situations and be successful, it will keep the defenses guessing.”
On The Offensive Line
“The offensive line was awesome today. They opened up huge holes for all of us today. They played phenomenally.”
On His 48-Yard Punt
“I don’t know how long it was or how high it went or the hang time, but it just felt good coming off my leg. It was up there for a while. I love punting. It’s a weapon for our team. Everybody always asks me ?you’re a punter?’ but I guess everybody knows now.”
On The Quarterbacks
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On The Running Backs
“The linemen did a great job and we all had a good day. In the scrimmages, the running game wasn’t as effective, so it was good for us as a team to get out there today and make some plays. The last play summed up what we’re trying to do. I needed a break and (Demetrius) Sumler came in and picked up 47-yards. That’s how it’s going to be all season, we will be there for each other and there’s a role we all can play.”
LB Marcus Burton
On Spring Game-
“I think we did a lot of good things. We improved on defense. we were able to accomplish a lot of things. Overall I think we did pretty good.”
On Burton and Taj Kaynor’s Improvement-
“I think it’s a blessing to have the opportunities I have. I think Coach was just talking about the improvement we’ve made as far as our mental game. Me and [Taj Kaynor] didn’t make as many mental mistakes. I think that helps us to have more of an impact on defense.”
On Being a Leader-
“Coaches are talking to me and players are starting to look to be for different things and I just take it all in stride. I thank God it’s happened like the way it’s happened.”
On Teammates-
“I think Taj played well. Mike Sippili had a really good spring too. Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown stepped up. I think we had a lot of guys playing well. I think Demetrius [Sumler], he’s a quiet guy, he had a lot of good runs.”
QB Cody Hawkins
General
“We’ve become a lot closer as teammates and people just because of the sequence of events this spring. I always want the best for him and he did a great job today. He got banged up a little bit but he’s a tough kid. He’s relaxing a little bit and hopefully he’ll get healed up and when he’s back in June he’ll be ready to go.”
On Spring Game
“I thought it was a good spring game. Probably as a whole that’s our best spring game since I’ve been here and even the one that I watched as a senior in high school. We’ve had some really productive practices and we’ve competed every single day. We always talk about the three really important areas on a football tea- our talent, depth and experience and we’re finally getting that. You know we were the youngest team in the Big 12 and we’re coming back and getting some guys back from injuries. We’re going out and competing.”
On the Defense
“The defense does an awesome job. I think those guys are a little younger than [the offense] and they have a bunch of new guys who are stepping in. They were asked to do a completely different scheme, luckily some of the guys on the offense are familiar with what we did in 2007. They’re learning an entirely new scheme. The best thing those guys have done all spring is be really aggressive. “
On His Play
“I think I did a much better job. I was able to move around in the pocket and just kind of move the defense. we had a couple shots today where I was able to drop back and do things with my eyes and make plays.
On the Summer
“In years past no one knew what was expected. I think the tempo we had this offseason and this spring, everyone is going to push forward a lot and I expect the competition activities throughout practice throughout the offseason to continue over the summer. Anytime you can compete like that on a daily basis guys are going to get a lot better.”
On WR Jason Espinoza
“He did some good things for us last fall. The kid broke his collarbone twice. He’s always working hard. He won the Iron Buffalo Award for the wide receivers. He’s always lifting extra, always willing to come out and throw with me whenever I ask. He’s a smart kid he knows what to do.”
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