For the offensive coaching staff at the University of Colorado, the literary work no one could finish last season was the CU playbook. By most accounts, the Buffaloes slogged through, by season's end utilizing only about 30 percent to 40 percent of it.

But by Thanksgiving, they hope to be able to say they've used it cover to cover, mainly because of the guy they've entrusted to be its primary tutor.

Cody Hawkins has a firm handle on CU's offense, and if the Buffs are as impotent this season as last — that's something almost impossible to imagine — it won't be because their starting quarterback is conceptually deficient.

Of the 22 players on the field at any one time, CU senior linebacker Jordon Dizon says this of Hawkins: "He's not the biggest guy, he's not the strongest guy, he's definitely not the fastest guy. But he's definitely the smartest guy."

That's as in football smarts, which Hawkins credits in part to genealogy (his father, Dan, is CU's coach) and in part to growing up with football, and football strategy never far from the center of most conversations.

In training camp one year ago, Cody Hawkins was a true freshman trying to transition to Division I-A football and the onset of college life.

From Day 1, almost assured he would redshirt, he sat in quarterback meetings, mostly as an observer and eager learner.

In 2006, Cody Hawkins said, the Buffs "probably ran all first-and second-day stuff (from camp) all season. . . . It was simplified for people. In this camp, we're miles and miles ahead of where we were last year, even after the first week, with our installation of the offense."

The Buffs and their fans are hoping most of that mileage falls in the air miles category. CU finished last in the Big 12 Conference in passing offense (116th in NCAA Division I-A), pass efficiency (114th), total offense (102nd) and scoring offense (107th).

Asked how much of the offense was used last season, Eric Kiesau, CU's passing game coordinator/ receivers coach, said, "I'm just throwing a number out, but I'd say 30 percent. We were very, very limited in what we could do.

"We were very handcuffed, and that's why it's very refreshing now, because we've got a lot in and we do a lot of different things. It's night and day (from 2006), and it's going to be fun."

Cody Hawkins and his backup, Nick Nelson, will make it that way, Kiesau said, also noting, "We're different at all positions. . . . But, obviously, at quarterback you have two guys who can really drop back and throw the ball. It's made everybody better."

During the summer, Cody Hawkins said he and Nelson frequently communicated with their coaches, briefing them on what sets, formations and plays they liked and were successful during seven-on-seven passing work. Also, Hawkins and Nelson immersed themselves in the playbook and were mentally ready when camp started.

Plus, Year 2 in any offense usually is smoother than Year 1, which Cody Hawkins assures is the case at CU.

"Just having guys in their second year in the system is huge — and everybody stayed (on campus for unofficial workouts) this summer," he said. "Last summer, it was tougher because some guys had jobs. But everybody was really committed to football this summer. We had a lot more time to put stuff in and work on a few little wrinkles among the players without the coaches.

"We are through the playbook now, (whereas) last year we were putting in three concepts every day. This year, they threw everything at us in that first week (of camp). We have to keep trying to perfect that."

Getting to know Cody Hawkins

• Your favorite football moment is . . .

"My senior year in high school, my state championship game (Hawkins and Bishop Kelly High School in Boise beat Pocatello 31-29). It was the first time that everybody in my family saw one of my games. Everybody was there together, so that was really cool."

• The jersey you wore as a kid and why . . .

"My dad's jerseys. He'd always have his jerseys set out, whether it was No. 32 or 34 — those were his numbers (at UC Davis). We'd always go digging through his stuff, find them and run around playing football in the front yard. He'd always get mad because we wouldn't put one back. I was never a kid who had a Joe Montana or Jerry Rice jersey, although I did get a Jerry Rice jersey when I was in fifth grade because I was a big Niners fan."

• When channel surfing, I always stop on . . .

"ESPN. And I don't channel surf; it's just on (ESPN) all the time — unless I'm watching Comedy Central."

• The one song I have to listen to before a game is . . .

"Konstantine, by Something Corporate. . . . It's an absolutely amazing song."

• The teammate I've most admired is . . .

"Wow. . . . I'd have to say the senior class as a whole here. They've gone through so much stuff and they're doing an awesome job of really embracing this new staff. Seniors are helping out new guys who might have a chance to take their positions. After what they went through in the whole Gary Barnett era, kind of the scandal thing, and now having a new staff in here. . . . Every single senior on this team is unbelievable and I just admire the heck out of them."

• The one thing I'd like to show CU fans in 2007 is . . .

"How to win football games. I mean, win football games, have fun doing it and strive for perfection."

Outlook

6-6 Rarely are first seasons in new systems successful, and the Buffaloes are this axiom's Exhibit A. Season 2 under Dan Hawkins should be smoother internally, but there's still an unforgiving schedule and major questions at key offensive positions (quarterback, line and receiver). If the Buffaloes reach six wins and a bowl game, Hawkins is ahead of schedule.

Preseason report card

• RUSHING OFFENSE: Take heart: Rushing (fifth) and turnover margin (third) were the only offensive categories in which CU didn't finish last in the Big 12 Conference in 2006. New running game coordinator/line coach Jeff Grimes has simplified some assignments, and players appear to have responded. But a dependable between-the- tackles tailback still must be identified. Hugh Charles is versatile but not a bona fide basher and is being pushed by Demetrius Sumler. Grade: C-plus

• PASSING OFFENSE: It has to be better. Period. The Buffaloes finished 116th in NCAA Division I-A in 2006. Now, with a quarterback (Cody Hawkins) who understands the system and can manage a game, CU figures to add a dimension to the offense. But young receivers Kendrick Celestine and Markques Simas must step up while Josh Smith (bruised kidney) mends, and the retooled offensive line has to keep Hawkins out of harm's way. Grade: B

• RUSHING DEFENSE: With interior linemen George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Jason Brace returning, the Buffaloes should be stout against the run (they were fourth in the conference in 2006). But end play could be a question mark. Linebackers Jordon Dizon, Brad Jones and R.J. Brown, along with safeties Ryan Walters, D.J. Dykes and Lionel Harris, should make it difficult to trample the Buffaloes. Grade: B

• PASSING DEFENSE: Someday, improvement will occur. But when? Beginning in 2003, CU has ranked 114th, 105th, 87th and 94th nationally against the pass. Terrence Wheatley is a quality all-conference cornerback and Benjamin Burney is solid on the other side. But who pressures the quarterback? Ends Alonzo Barrett and Maurice Lucas need to rev up their play. Marquez Herrod could become a force. Grade: C

• SPECIAL TEAMS: For the first time in four seasons, there's no Mason Crosby to be a field-goal threat whenever CU crosses midfield. It's Kevin Eberhart's turn. Punter Matt DiLallo is capable of a big season. The Buffaloes badly need to upgrade their punt-return game; they were last in the league (104th nationally) in 2006 and not much better (95th nationally) in kickoff returns. Grade: C

• STATE OF THE PROGRAM: This is a key year for Hawkins. No one outside his program expects CU to challenge for the Big 12 North title, but neither does anyone inside or out expect another two-win season. Although Hawkins appears to be retooling the Buffaloes in the right way, he realistically might be another year from reaching postseason play. And while it isn't Austin, Texas, Norman, Okla., or Lincoln, a delay in the long climb back won't play well in Boulder. Grade: B

Depth chart

OFFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

QB Cody Hawkins Nick Nelson Young "Hawk" must shoulder load.

TB Hugh Charles Demetrius Sumler Charles must run stronger, harder.

FB Maurice Cantrell Samson Jagoras Cantrell has a linebacker's body, will.

WR Patrick Williams Dusty Sprague Williams stepped up during camp.

WR Scotty McKnight Stephone Robinson Precision routes McKnight's forte.

TE Riar Geer Joe Sanders Position is deep, strong, talented.

LT Tyler Polumbus Sione Tau Polumbus ready for breakout season.

LG Wes Palazzi Mike Iltis Guard position green, green, green.

C Daniel Sanders Kai Maiava Sanders, aka "Girthy," is versatile.

RG Devin Head Keenan Stevens Head made one start in 2006.

RT Edwin Harrison Ryan Miller Harrison strong, solid in August.

PK Kevin Eberhart Tyler Cope Eberhart has waited, waited, waited.

DEFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

LE Maurice Lucas Marquez Herrod Lucas is everything but consistent.

DT George Hypolite Jason Brace Book it: Hypolite become a big factor.

NT Brandon Nicolas Eugene Goree Nicolas' transfer was huge for Buffs.

RE Alonzo Barrett Conrad Obi Barrett appears ready to blossom.

WLB Jordon Dizon Jeff Smart Dizon is undersized, overly tough.

MLB R.J. Brown Jake Duren Michael Sipili (suspended) missed.

SLB Brad Jones B.J. Beatty It's Jones' year to reach his potential.

RCB Benjamin Burney Cha'pelle Brown Burney is among team's top athletes.

LCB Terrence Wheatley Gardner McKay Wheatley has all-conference skills.

FS Ryan Walters Jalil Brown Nobody brings it like Walters.

SS Daniel Dykes Lionel Harris Duo will share playing time.

P Matt DiLallo Tom Suazo DiLallo has kicked freshman jitters.

Three things the Buffaloes must prove

1 That on opening day, they're ready to play. Some insiders have alluded to the 2006 run-up to the Montana State debacle being so dominated by recruiting that game planning for a Division I-AA opponent became secondary. Memo to coach Dan Hawkins: It can't be that way for Colorado State.

2 That they can finish, or win close games, in the fourth quarter. In 2006, they lost four games by five points or fewer and one by nine points. In crunch time, attitude counts, and the Buffaloes didn't have it last season.

3 That they can throw and catch. Really, the forward pass hasn't been stricken from CU's playbook. Directed by stand-in quarterback Bernard Jackson, the 2006 Buffaloes suffered severe air sickness, averaging 118.5 yards a game.

Schedule, forecast

Date Opponent Time Last year Pick

Saturday Colorado State* 10 a.m. Lost 14-10 CU

Sept. 8 at Arizona State 8:15 p.m. Lost 21-3 Arizona State

Sept. 15 FLORIDA STATE 8 p.m. Did not play Florida State

Sept. 22 MIAMI (OHIO) 1:30 p.m. Did not play CU

Sept. 29 OKLAHOMA TBA Lost 24-3 Oklahoma

Oct. 6 at Baylor TBA Lost 34-31 (3OT) CU

Oct. 13 at Kansas State TBA Lost 34-21 Kansas State

Oct. 20 KANSAS TBA Lost 20-15 CU

Oct. 27 at Texas Tech TBA Won 30-6 Texas Tech

Nov. 3 MISSOURI TBA Lost 28-13 CU

Nov. 10 at Iowa State TBA Won 33-16 Iowa State

Nov. 23 NEBRASKA 10 a.m. Lost 37-14 CU

* Invesco Field at Mile High

• NOTE: Home games in CAPS. All times Mountain and subject to change.

• RADIO: Colorado radio network includes KOA-AM (850) in Denver.

• TICKETS: $30 for Miami (Ohio), Kansas and Missouri; $50 for Florida State, Oklahoma and Nebraska; $55 for Colorado State. Information: 303-492-8337 or 1-800-872-8337.

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