UH vs Colorado Wrap-Ups

Here's last night's local news coverage from Hawaii News Now

Rebuffed, by Stephen Tsai

"We were right there, inside the 5 twice, and came away with nothing," Moniz said. "It's really embarrassing. Really. ... If we walk away with 14 points right there, it might be a whole different story."

Instead, it became the game's story line.

"I don't think we can let opportunities get away," Rolovich said. "That's the fatigue: knowing we left 14 points right there. That starts to wear on you when things start to get close."

Defense keeps Buffaloes alive until offense starts connecting, by Dave Reardon

On the game's second play, Smith ran from the other side of the field to tackle UH's Kealoha Pilares at the CU 3, ending an 80-yard gain on a pass from Bryant Moniz. The touchdown-saver turned out to be huge, as Colorado then made the first of two first-quarter, goal-line stands.

"For (Smith) not to quit, that was big," Hawkins said. "(Pilares is) not slow. That guy can roll."

It fired up the rest of the defense.

Reaching the Dead Zone dampens last week's road win, by Dave Reardon

If UH doesn't get stoned at the goal line those two times, Colorado couldn't do what it did in the third quarter. It wouldn't have relied strictly on its ground game to pound the oxygen-starved Warriors defense into submission. But chasing a mere 10, the Buffs went to their strength as Hawaii's stamina melted away.

"Those guys were gassed and our offensive line was blowing them 6 or 7 yards off the line," Colorado receiver Scott McKnight said.

UH's McMackin making a habit of helping coaches stick around, by Ferd Lewis

These are the kind of sliding opponents that good teams jump on and fatten up with. UH, meanwhile, seems to trip over too many of them. And, sadly, it is part of what is keeping the Warriors from being more than a .500 program.

Yesterday it was the difference between UH being 2-1 and 1-2. It was the difference in perception between a team ascending and one taking a step backward.

The Warriors were well on their way to the former until they got within sniffing distance of the goal line.

Pilares' draft stock rises despite loss, by Stephen Tsai

Left slotback Greg Salas, UH's All-America candidate, has received most of the attention from National Football League scouts.

But NFL scouts attending yesterday's game said Pilares, the starting right slotback, has generated a buzz.

Pilares gained notice when he had two long scoring plays in the fourth quarter against Southern California. Pilares has been praised for his first-step quickness, sure hands and what is regarded as "miss-ability."

Warrior Notebook, from the Star Advertiser

UH assistant coach Chris Tormey, who coordinates the special teams, said poor field positioning could be traced to blocking problems in the front line of the kick-return unit.

The Warriors were whistled for three holding penalties -- one of which was declined.

"Our front line wasn't very effective blocking their cover guys," Tormey said.

He said the blockers need to be more "physical at the point of attack."

Boos don't get to Buffaloes, by Arnie Stapleton of the AP

CU defense keeps Hawaii in check, by Ryan Thorburn of The Daily Camera

"It gave us momentum throughout the whole game because it gave our D-line confidence that they could stop them," CU cornerback Jimmy Smith said. "They had all the momentum at that point, and we stopped them so close."

CU football- tale of two halves, by Michael Krumholtz of the CU Independent

Buffs wake up, rip Hawaii in second half, by Tom Kensler of the Denver Post

And CU linebackers B.J. Beatty and Michael Sipili, who both played high school football in Hawaii, got back at their old buddies by keying the early goal-line stands that might well have saved the day for the Buffaloes.

"Lord knows we have had our share of adversity," Hawkins said. "To (his players' credit), they have never bagged it. They have never quit."

Beatty contributes two key tackles on goal-line stand, by Tom Kensler of the Denver Post

Buffs gain ground in the second half, by Natalie Meisler of the Denver Post

"The running game was crucial," Lockridge said of the running-in-place start for a 10-0 halftime disadvantage.

After just 69 yards on the ground in the first half, the Buffs finished with 252 yards on 52 carries. It was the Buffs' biggest day rushing since the 2007 game against Nebraska (a 65-51 win) when CU had 277 yards on 52 carries.

CU needs to hurry its plans, by Woody Paige of the Denver Post

Then, Hawkins said, CU "threw a rock on the gas pedal." Presumably, he meant the Buffs switched to the no-huddle, no-cuddle, no-fumble, no-crumble offense.

What took so long, Dan?