2007Colorado Buffaloes football
Independence Bowl, L 24–30 vs.Alabama
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Division	North
Record	6–7 (4–4 Big 12)
Head coach	Dan Hawkins (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Mark Helfrich (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Ron Collins (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3Cover 2
Home stadium	Folsom Field
Uniform
Seasons ← 2006 2008 →

The2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented theUniversity of Colorado at Boulder in the2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached byDan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games atFolsom Field. Colorado finished 6–7 after losing in theIndependence Bowl toAlabama. 2007 was Colorado's first consecutive losing season in 22 years,^[1] but represented a vast improvement over the team's 2–10 mark in 2006.

Official CU Spring Game website

Prior to spring practice, there were two position changes planned: Cha’pelle Brown will move from cornerback to wide receiver, and Joe Sanders will switch back to tight end from outside linebacker.^[2] Sanders started his career at tight end but two weeks into his first spring practice moved to inside linebacker (he missed the fall of his freshman year after undergoing shoulder surgery).

Nine players will not return from the 2006 squad: Paul Backowski (OL), Quinton Borders (OL), Dominique Brooks (S), Clayton Cammon (WR, walkon), Steve Fendry (TE), Isaac Garden (P/PK, walkon, graduated), Tom Grubin (C, walkon), Jeremy Hauck (OL) and Reggie Joseph (WR).^[2]

The annual spring game occurred on April 14.^[2] The game consisted of a mix between live scrimmages and 7-on-7 drills due to the shortage of healthy and eligible offensive linemen.^[3] The offense was remarked as having made improvements compared to last season's spring game.^[4]

Bernard Jackson, the startingquarterback from last season saw limited time at the position during spring practice and was used as awide receiver,running back,punt andkick returner.Cody Hawkins (Red shirt Freshman) andNick Nelson (JC transfer Junior) competed for the quarterback position. Hawkins completed 12-of-20 passes for 119 yards an interception and a touchdown in live action. In 7-on-7 drills, he completed 15-of-23 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson completed 3-of-10 passes for 30 yards and an interception and also had two rushes for 20 yards during live action. In 7-on-7 drills, he completed 21-of-28 passes for 256 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

• Jordon Dizon
  • Lott Trophy watchlist^[5]
• Daniel Sanders
  • Dave Rimington Trophy watchlist^[6]
• Terrence Wheatley
  • Jim Thorpe Award watchlist^[7]

In June 2007, the Buffaloes were placed under probation for two years and fined US$100,000 for undercharging 133 student-athletes for meals over a six-year span (2000–01 to 2005–06) resulting in the major infraction.^[8] The football program, with 86 of the 133 student-athletes involved, also lost one scholarship for the next three seasons.^[8]

National Signing Day was on February 7, 2007, and Colorado signed high school athletes from around the country. Colorado's overall team ranking was 35th by Scout.com^[9] and 31st by Rivals.com.^[10] Colorado had 31 scholarships available.

Official CU Signing Day Central

College recruiting information (2007)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Ethan Adkins OL/OG	Castle Rock, CO	Douglas County HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	5.30	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (70)
Tyler Ahles LB/SLB	San Bernardino, CA	Cajon HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.70	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (40)
Matt Bahr OL/OT	Mission Viejo, CA	Mission Viejo HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	5.10	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
Matthew Ballenger QB	Nampa, ID	Skyview HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.9	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (70)
Blake Behrens OL/OG	Phoenix, AZ	Brophy Prep	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.30	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (73)
Kendrick Celestine WR	Mamou, LA	Mamou HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	173 lb (78 kg)	4.4	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (78)
Shawn Daniels OL/OG	Denver, CO	Mullen HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	5.41	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (73)
Patrick Gates RB	Mission Viejo, CA	Saddleback JC	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.45	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (JC)
Eugene Goree DT	Murfreesboro, TN	Riverdale HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	281 lb (127 kg)	4.9	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (69)
Josh Hartigan OLB/MLB	Oakland Park, FL	Northeast HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.6	[12]2006
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (40)
Johnathan Hawkins CB	Perris, CA	Ranch Verde HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	–	[13]
	Recruit ratings: (40)
Drew Hudgins DE	Highland, KS	Highland Community College	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.9	[12]2006
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (JC)
Mike Iltis OL/OG	Riverview, Hillsborough County, Florida	Riverview HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	288 lb (131 kg)	5.01	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (73)
Devan Johnson RB/FB	Pittsburgh, PA	Woodland Hills HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	232 lb (105 kg)	4.55	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Brian Lockridge RB	Mission Viejo, CA	Mission Viejo HS	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.43	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (71)
Kealaka'i Maiava OL/C	Wailuku, HI	Baldwin HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	278 lb (126 kg)	5.0	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (69)
Ryan Miller OL/OT	Littleton, CO	Columbine HS	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	5.10	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (81)
Nick Nelson QB	Mission Viejo, CA	Saddleback JC	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	4.8	[12]2006
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (JC)
Conrad Obi DE	Loganville, GA	Grayson HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.75	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Anthony Perkins CB	Northglenn, CO	Northglenn HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.50	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (66)
Chris Perri DT/DE	Oakland, CA	Laney JC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	4.7	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (JC)
Lagrone Shields DE	Memphis, TN	Ridgeway HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	238 lb (108 kg)	4.7	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (73)
Markques Simas WR	San Diego, CA	Mira Mesa Senior HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	198 lb (90 kg)	4.55	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (74)
Josh Smith ATH/WR	Moorpark, CA	Moorpark HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.5	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (40)
Lamont Smith DB/CB	Pittsburgh, PA	Central Catholic HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	150 lb (68 kg)	4.42	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Sione Tau OT	Honolulu, HI	Damien Memorial HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	4.90	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (74)
Nathan Vaiomounga LB/S	Corona, CA	Corona HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.53	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (40)
Anthony Wright S	Compton, CA	Compton HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.54	[11]
	Recruit ratings:Scout:    Rivals:    (77)
2006 = counts towards 2006 class
Jess Beets (OL, 6–3, 280) from Mission Viejo, CA (Saddleback JC) had given a verbal commitment but picked Kentucky over Colorado.[14] Apaiata Tuihalamaka (LB, 6–3, 205) fromGardena, CA (Junipero Serra HS) had given a verbal commitment to Colorado on November 15, 2006, but later retracted and gave a verbal commitment to theArizona Wildcats on December 1, 2006.[15] Devonne Quattlebaum (S, 6–0, 175) fromMonetta, SC (Ridge-Spring Monetta HS) had given a verbal commitment to Colorado in November. But he took another recruiting visit toSouth Carolina State University in late January and gave a "solid verbal" to them afterwards. Adam Tello (OL, 6–4, 290) from Norco, CA (Norco HS) had verbally committed to Colorado but later retracted giving a commitment toArizona State on February 6, 2007.[16] Garth Gerhart (OL, 6–2, 300) fromNorco, CA (Norco HS) had verbally committed to Colorado but gave a verbal commitment to Arizona State on February 6, 2007.[16] Robert Hall (LB, 6–2, 220) fromFriendswood, TX (Friendswood HS) was reported as committing to Colorado but did not sign.
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 35   Rivals: 31
‡ Refers to40-yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Colorado 2007 Football Commitments". Rivals. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2007. "2007 Colorado Recruits". Scout. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2007. "2007 Colorado". ESPN. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2007. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2007. "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2007.

Images of new uniforms

On June 2, 2007, Colorado announced changes to their uniforms.^[17] Most notable is the incorporation of silver into the uniform combining the two school colors, silver and gold, for the first time.^[17] The "COLORADO" across the chest and player names on the back are now smaller, and will be gold instead of white (the only color it has ever been).^[17] The numbers will now be silver. The pants now have trim on the sides; silver on the gold pants and gold on the black pants.^[17] The white pants have now been eliminated.^[17] In addition to the design change, the new uniforms designed byNike also improve technical parts of the uniform including innovative fit, weight reduction, increased ventilation and improved moisture management.^[17]

The schedule was ranked as the No. 10 toughest home schedule.^[18]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	10:00 am	vs.Colorado State*	Invesco Field at Mile High Denver, CO (Rocky Mountain Showdown)	FSN	W 31–28OT	68,133[19]
September 8	8:15 pm	atArizona State*	Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ	FSN	L 14–33	58,417[20]
September 15	8:00 pm	Florida State*	Folsom Field Boulder, CO	ESPN	L 6–16	52,951[21]
September 22	1:30 pm	Miami (OH)*	Folsom Field Boulder, CO		W 42–0	45,243[22]
September 29	11:30 am[23]	No. 3Oklahoma	Folsom Field Boulder, CO	FSN[23]	W 27–24	50,031[24]
October 6	5:00 pm	atBaylor	Floyd Casey Stadium Waco, TX		W 43–23	32,376[25]
October 13	7:15 pm	atKansas State	Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 20–47	46,637[26]
October 20	3:45 pm[27]	No. 15Kansas	Folsom Field Boulder, CO	ESPN[27]	L 14–19	51,940[28]
October 27	10:00 am[27]	atTexas Tech	Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, TX	ABC[27]	W 31–26	49,084[29]
November 3	4:30 pm[30]	No. 9Missouri	Folsom Field Boulder, CO	FSN[30]	L 10–55	51,483[31]
November 10	10:30 am[32]	atIowa State	Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA	FCS[32]	L 28–31	45,487[33]
November 23	10:00 am	Nebraska	Folsom Field Boulder, CO (rivalry)	ABC	W 65–51	51,403[34]
December 30	6:00 pm	vs.Alabama*	Independence Stadium Shreveport, LA (Independence Bowl)	ESPN	L 24–30	47,043[35]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings fromCoaches' Poll released prior to the game All times are inMountain time

Michael Sipili was charged with assault for being suspected for fighting with Taj Kaynor, defensive tackle, also involving Chris Perri, sophomore defensive tackle on June 22, 2007. Sipili and Perri were suspended for the first three games and Kaynor was suspended for the first game.^[36] Sipili was later suspended from campus on September 21, 2007, for the fall semester over the incident forcing him to miss the entire season.^[37] As a true sophomore, he will likely use this season as a redshirt and have 3 years remaining of eligibility.^[37]

Starting running back Hugh Charles suffered a pulled hamstring on the first series of the Colorado State game, forcing him to miss the rest of that game and the Arizona State game the following week.^[38]

The 2007QwestRocky Mountain Showdown was back inInvesco Field at Mile High inDenver, CO with the kickoff at 10:10 amMDT.^[41] Both the Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams were coming off losing seasons. Colorado State won last season's game and the series was tied at 4–4 over the last 8 games coming into the game. Colorado State returnedrunning back Kyle Bell who missed last season due to an injury. Colorado startedquarterbackCody Hawkins, head coachDan Hawkins' son and aredshirt freshman in his first start at the college level.

Colorado had been favored entering the game.^[42] This was Colorado's 200th game against current members of theMountain West Conference, with a 137–55–7 record.^[41] Colorado was 73–39–5 in their 117-season openers and had won five of its last eight season openers entering the game.^[43] Colorado was 8–5, prior to the game, against intrastate rival Colorado State when the Rams have been the opposition in the season opener.^[43]

The game was not sold out, with the low sales possibly due to the losing records of both teams last season.^[44] There were about 9,000 tickets still available a week before the game.^[44] Invesco Field has a capacity of 76,125.^[44] A crowd of 68,133 ultimately attended the game.^[41]

Colorado made a come from behind victory to force overtime and then win the game.^[45] The game started with the first three series scoring touchdowns. Cody Hawkins completed 18 of 31 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.^[45] Colorado State's Kyle Bell rushed for a career-high 40 times for 135 yards and a touchdown.^[45] Colorado State's quarterback, Hanie went 20-of-27 and threw three touchdown passes to tight end Kory Sperry and one interception, in overtime.^[45]

Colorado State won the coin toss in overtime and elected to go first.^[45] Terrence Wheatley made an interception to end the Rams' OT side.^[45] Kevin Eberhart, senior place kicker, had a good game going 3 for 4 with a career long 38-yard field goal before halftime, a 22-yard field goal with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime and the game winning 35-yard kick in overtime.^[45]

Colorado lost their starting running back, Hugh Charles early in the first quarter with a pulled hamstring.^[45] The backup, Demetrius Sumler rushed 16 times for 85-yards.^[45]

External link:https://web.archive.org/web/20070827084821/http://www.qwestrockymountainshowdown.com/

• 
  Colorado on offense against the Rams.
• 
  Ralphie leads the Buffaloes on to the field to start the season.
• 
  The band forms the CU logo letters before the start of every home game.

Colorado lost last season to Arizona State (21–3), the only time the teams have previously played each other. The game was scheduled to start at 8:28 p.m.Mountain Time.^[46] Entering the game, Colorado had a 9–2 record in the state ofArizona, including 8–0 against theArizona Wildcats and 1–2 in theFiesta Bowl.^[46] A sellout crowd larger than 71,000 was expected to be in attendance.^[46] Colorado had won their last two road games againstPacific-10 Conference opponents before this game;Washington State Cougars in 2004 andUCLA Bruins in 2003.^[46]

Arizona State entered the game 1–0, with a win the previous week over theSan Jose State Spartans.^[47] Head coachDennis Erickson was going for his 150th win in his 215th game.^[47] Coming into the game, Arizona State was 3–2 all time against theBig 12 Conference.^[47]

The Buffaloes scored two touchdowns in the first quarter including an interception return for a touchdown byTerrence Wheatley, while holding theSun Devils scoreless. ASU responded with three touchowns in the second quarter, but they missed their secondextra point (wide left) and their attempt at atwo-point conversion after their third touchdown, so they took a 19–14 lead intohalftime. Colorado did not score for the rest of the game. Arizona added two more touchdowns in the third quarter.

The actual crowd attendance was 58,417.^[20]

Colorado welcomed Florida State (1–1) for their home opener. Florida State won the only previous game between the two schools on September 20, 2003.^[48]

Florida State came into the game with a win the previous week over theUAB Blazers and a loss in the season opener against theClemson Tigers. The game was scheduled to start at 8:10 p.m.Mountain Time and aired onESPN.^[49] There were approximately 3,000 tickets remaining 3 days before the game.^[49] Florida State was 15–11 all-time against Big 12 Conference teams coming into the game.^[48]

Colorado was 7–5 all-time againstAtlantic Coast Conference teams^[48] and 0–4 when playing on September 15 before the game.^[48] There were only 4 current Colorado players that dressed for the previous match-up in 2003: Eberhart, Wheatley, Robinson and Sanders.^[48] Colorado students and fans were planning to "black out" the stadium by wearing black clothing.^[50]

Actual attendance was 52,951.^[21] Colorado's Eberhart missed two field goals of 37 and 46 yards.^[21] Colorado scored a touchdown with 3:36 left in the game to keep their record scoring streak alive; the latest score in a game to keep the streak alive.^[51] Colorado has not been shutout in a football game since November 12, 1988, when they played theNebraska Cornhuskers.^[51] They have not been shutout at home since November 15, 1986, by theOklahoma Sooners.^[51]Terrence Wheatley left the game with a knee injury during the 4th quarter, with his future status undetermined.^[51]

In the week after the game, Matt DiLallo was named to theRay Guy Award watchlist.^[52]

Colorado beat the Miami University RedHawks by a score of 42–0. It was first time the RedHawks were shut out since a 1993 loss toBall State. In sophomore quarterbackDaniel Raudabaugh’s first start of the season for Miami, he completed 11 of 32 passes for only 95 yards. The Colorado defense was never able to sack Raudabaugh, but they did not allow him time to set his feet for passes. Colorado out gained Miami 634–139 in total yardage. The Buffaloes’ offense rushed for 359 after only running for 134 total yards in three previous games.^[53]

Oklahoma was first to score by capitalizing on a D. J. Wolfe interception returned to the Colorado 11. Sam Bradford connected with Juaquin Iglesias for the 13 yard touchdown. The Buffalo's scored next by driving the ball 70 yards capped off by a 25-yard touchdown rush by Hugh Charles. The Sooners responded 49 seconds later thanks to a 34-yard touchdown run by Allen Patrick. The Sooners added 3 more as a result of a 28-yard Hartley field goal to return to the locker rooms at halftime with a 17–7 lead.^[54]

Colorado seemed to have this game under control with a 21—0 lead at halftime. However, Iowa State rallied back in the second half for the victory. Coach Hawkins made a controversial call going for afirst down on 4th and 1 on Colorado's own 43—yard line after Iowa State refused a 10-yard holding penalty in the third quarter. The Buffaloes fell short of making the first down whenDemetrius Sumler was stopped by Jesse Smith.^[55] Iowa State would score their first points of the game three plays later.^[55]

Bret Culbertson of Iowa State kicked a 24—yardfield goal with 12:21 left in the game to put the Cyclones up 31—21.^[56]Kevin Eberhart of Colorado had earlier missed a 43—yard field goal.^[56] Colorado then fought back andScotty McKnight scored a 9—yard touchdown pass fromCody Hawkins with 2:40 left in the game.^[56] The defensed forced a 3 and out after the kickoff to get the ball back with 46 seconds left in the game on their own 28 yard line.^[56] In 5 passing plays, 4 complete, they moved the ball 34 yards to the Iowa State 33 yard line.^[56] With no timeouts, they rushed the field goal unit on to the field and Eberhart made a 50—yard field goal with 1 second left on the clock.^[56] However, Colorado was penalized 5 yards for snapping the ball before it was whistled ready for play (officiallyoffensive delay of game) which nullified the field goal.^[56] With 1 second left on the clock, Eberhart again made the 55—yard field goal try, but the officials ruled the ball had not been snapped before time expired.^[56] The field goal was again nullified and the game was over.^[57]

Colorado earned abowl bid to theIndependence Bowl against theAlabama Crimson Tide on December 2, 2007.^[58] This was third football game ever between the two schools, with the teams having split the previous two games.^[58] They were also both bowl games, the 1969Liberty Bowl, where Colorado won 47–33, and the 1991Blockbuster Bowl where Alabama won 30–25.^[58]

Alabama scored on their opening drive off of aLeigh Tiffin field goal to lead 3–0. Colorado's first offensive play of the game resulted in an interception byRolando McClain. Once again, Alabama relied on another field goal from Tiffin to push their lead to 6–0. Later in the quarter, Alabama'sJohn Parker Wilson would throw a touchdown to Keith Brown andMatt Caddell to push the Crimson Tide to a 20–0 lead after one quarter. Early in the second quarter, Wilson would connect toNikita Stover on a 31–yard touchdown pass and the Crimson Tide lead 27–0 after just under 20 minutes played in the game. The Buffaloes would control the majority of the second quarter after Wilson threw an interception. Buffaloes freshman quarterbackCody Hawkins threw touchdown passes toTyson DeVree andDusty Sprague to close the gap, as the Crimson Tide lead 27–14 at halftime. The only score in the third quarter would come fromKevin Eberhart on a Colorado field goal. Leigh Tiffin kicked a field goal as the Crimson Tide lead 30–17, though Cody Hawkins and Tyson DeVree would connect on another passing touchdown. In a desperation attempt with 0:01 left in the fourth quarter, Colorado would attempt several laterals but would fall short of midfield.

Alabama's victory sent them to a 7–6 overall record as they avoided a second consecutive losing season. Colorado had its second consecutive losing season for the first time in 22 years.^[1]

Colorado does not include bowl game statistics as part of their season total statistics. The statistics below therefore are for the 12 game regular season and do not include any statistics recorded during the bowl game against Alabama.

Source for all statistics below:https://web.archive.org/web/20110606161411/http://www.cubuffs.com/pdf3/100956.pdf?ATCLID=1207369&SPSID=3844&SPID=255&DB_OEM_ID=600

• The neutral site game against Colorado State is not recorded in the attendance figures above. The attendance for that game was 68,133.

• At in the Long column means the play was also a touchdown.

• A "t" in the Long column means the play was also a touchdown.

• A "t" in the Longest Interception return column means it was also for a touchdown.

• 2007 Big 12 Conference football season
• Colorado Buffaloes football seasons
• 2007 in sports in Colorado

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