Montana State stuns Colorado as Hawkins era begins

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Dan Hawkins was hired to clean up a

Colorado program soiled by scandal and embarrassing losses under

former coach Gary Barnett.

Being blown out by Texas in the Big 12 title game last year was

one thing.

But losing to Division I-AA Montana State 19-10 Saturday wasn't

what anybody anticipated when Hawkins brought his 92-23-1 record

and positive vibes from Boise State to Boulder.

Montana State coach Mike Kramer could not contain his excitement as the Bobcats extended their fourth-quarter lead in Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

"We understand that most people here will jump on our loss, but

we all find out about ourselves when we're losing," Hawkins said.

"And in some respect, it might be a blessing. We've got to work a

little bit harder and come together a little bit more.

"It's only devastating if you let it be devastating."

Instead of sweeping away the memories of last year's four-game

season-ending slide, including a 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12

title game, the Buffaloes left their fans fearful of a long,

dreadful season after the Dan Hawkins Era began not with a bang but

a bevy of goofs and gaffes.

"The only bright spot is to see how we handle it, and that's

yet to be determined," Hawkins said after the Buffs bungled their

first matchup ever with a Division I-AA team. "The bottom line is

we got outcoached and we got outplayed. That's a fact, however you

try to slice and dice it."

With his prolific predecessor Travis Lulay a surprise sideline

observer, new Montana State starting quarterback Cory Carpenter

threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jefferson in the third

quarter and Jeff Hastings kicked field goals of 35, 44, 19 and 41

yards as the Bobcats of the Big Sky Conference gave coach Mike

Kramer his first win in seven tries against Division I-A opponents.

"This game tonight wasn't about height, weight or speed,"

Kramer said. "It was about belief systems and we found a way to

get it done."

Still, Kramer added, "It would mean more if I could beat

Chadron State next week."

Nobody smiled bigger than Bobcats senior free safety Tyrone

Henderson, who was one of two starters kicked off the Buffs for

violating unspecified team rules following Hawkins' arrival in

Boulder.

A little more than a week after transferring to Montana State,

Henderson got his revenge, helping the Bobcats pull off the first

stunner of the college football season.

"Whatever happened had to happen," said Henderson, declining

again Saturday to reveal his transgression other than to say he

feels he was singled out as an example. "I'm happy where I'm at.

It was a good game."

And certainly not the unexpected outcome it will certainly be

viewed as across the country, he insisted.

"I didn't know what the situation was going into Montana State.

When I got there I saw they (had) players there," Henderson said.

"I knew that we could come and beat them."

The Bobcats trailed just 10-6 at halftime, then limited

Colorado's offense to 65 yards and three first downs in the second

half.

"I knew that if we didn't make a big mistake that we could be

there in the fourth quarter," Kramer said. "Because of their

devastating losses last year, they would start doubting each other,

and that's exactly what happened."

After Hastings' 19-yarder made it 16-10 with five minutes left,

Stephone Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff 26 yards but

cornerback Andre Fuller capped a great day by forcing a fumble that

was recovered by linebacker Bryant Matthews at the Colorado 28.

That led to Hastings' 41-yarder with 2:58 left.

The Buffs' hopes for a comeback ended when Mason Crosby was

short on a 63-yard field goal try with 1:11 remaining.

The Bobcats went ahead for good early in the third quarter when

Jefferson beat freshman cornerback Cha'pelle Brown in the left

corner of the end zone to haul in Carpenter's pass for a 13-10

lead. The Buffaloes never recovered, even though they put together

two goal-line stands afterward.

James Cox opened the game with the longest first play from

scrimmage in Colorado history, a 42-yard strike to wide receiver

Patrick Williams that turned out as the lone highlight of the

afternoon for the Buffaloes and a crowd of 45,513 on hand expecting

to celebrate the new start under Hawkins.

"They did everything right and we did a lot of stuff wrong.

That's what it came down to," Colorado co-captain Brian Daniels

said. "Nobody is going to be betting on the Buffs anymore. We like

the underdog situation.

"I think if we swallow this pill the right way, we can come

back and be a strong team."