A win is a win and the Buffs are .500 again. The team played a dominating first half and the defense held serve the second half as well, never allowing a TD. However, this Hawaii team was really not that good and ended up playing three different QBs. The offense was serviceable in the half, moving the ball well and putting up three TDs, but they did leave some points on the field by not picking up third downs and once again running Phillip Lindsay straight into the line on 4th and 1. Sefo's bad throws were bad, but he was generally solid. His first INT was due to the fact that he thought Shay Fields was interfered with, as did I, but no flag was thrown. Nelson Spruce was his usual all-everything, setting the CU single game record for receptions with 13 for 172 yards, however, he only scored one TD this week bringing his average under 2. Shay Fields continued to be a major factor, catching a lot of balls and reversing one for a TD. The highlight of the half was probably two-way player George Frazier catching a short pass and barreling into the endzone for the third touchdown. The defense had by far its best game against probably it weakest offensive opponent, but they did not give up many yards and always limited the Rainbow Warriors to field goals, even when the offense gave them good field position. And they did it without Addison Gillam, who was concussed; Brady Daigh came on and played very well (although he will struggle a lot more if he has to play against the faster and spread out Cal offense). Tedric Thompson had an interception and Greg Henderson a strip sack and fumble recovery as the secondary continued to improve; Crawley had his usual couple of nice tackles and plays, along with a few bonehead plays, including his second offsides on a kickoff this season. Chidobe Awuzie is settling in at free safety and made a few nice hits. Darragh O'Neill was stellar punting as usual and ran for 18 yards and a first down. Wil Oliver kicked most kickoffs into or out of the endzone and Phillip Lindsay returned one kickoff past the 50, although the offense did nothing with it and punted three and out. All in all, the Buffs showed a lot of positives and won a game they were supposed to, covering any spread. However, and there is always a few buts and howevers with this group, they still made many glaring mistakes that they probably won't get away with in conference. That being said, Cal lost a heartbreaker last week, and although they have possibly the most potent offense they Buffs have faced, they showed they are vulnerable defensively both on the ground and through the air.
Fan note: The most disappointing aspect of the game was the fans, or lack thereof. The Buff "faithful" are the epitome of fair weather as even on a beautiful day, there were less than 40,000 in the stands. The first week, it was "too late and too cold", this time is was "too early and too warm". Most can't even make it inside to see Ralphie run, the greatest opening spectacle in sports. To top it off, many leave at halftime to never return (missing Ralphie again?!) and many more leave early regardless of the game. It would be really nice if a few people stuck around to the end to enjoy the game cheer the team on-like they really needed late in the ASU game when they were making it interesting-or to celebrate with the team in victory-there was only a handful to sing the fight song with the players after the Hawaii game ended. Maybe the 2:00 PM kickoff and fall temps will fall into the "just right" category and attract a few more of the fickle Goldilocks fans to the Oct. 4 Oregon St. tilt.
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