MWC roundup: Buffaloes silence critics with shutout of Cowboys

BOULDER, Colo. — The Colorado Buffaloes quieted the cacophony of criticism stemming from their bad start with a 24-0 win over Wyoming on Saturday.

Quarterback Cody Hawkins returned from a concussion and directed four scoring drives, and Rodney Stewart returned from a hamstring injury to carry 32 times for 127 yards and a two touchdowns.

The Buffaloes (1-2) simplified their defensive game plan after allowing 77 points and 1,000 yards in opening their season with losses to Colorado State and Toledo, and it worked wonders. Wyoming (1-2) went three-and-out six times in the first half, when they managed just three first downs and 61 total yards.

The Buffs led 17-0 at the half on the way to their second shutout in the Dan Hawkins era. The first was a 42-0 whitewash of Miami-Ohio two years ago.

It was a welcomed respite for the Buffaloes, who spent the week defending their coach and hearing about their poor play from fans and media — and even a geology professor who called out linebacker Marcus Burton in class last week.

"It's easy to stand outside the arena and point fingers and say you're not good enough and ... criticize and be negative," Dan Hawkins said. "But when you're in the arena and you're scrapping, you're never that far away from victory, you're never that far away from defeat."

Cody Hawkins was 17-of-31 for 175 yards in the first meeting between the former conference foes since 1997.

AIR FORCE 37, NEW MEXICO 13: At Albuquerque, N.M., Jon Davis intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, to lead Air Force to a Mountain West Conference victory over New Mexico. The Falcons (2-1, 1-0 MWC) defense held the Lobos (0-3, 0-1) to 290 total yards and forced four turnovers in the conference opener for both teams.

Davis snared his first interception at the end of the first quarter, returning it 38 yards for a score to put the Falcons up 17-0.

Air Force played most of the game without starting quarterback Tim Jefferson, who left in the first quarter with an injured ankle. He was replaced by backup quarterback Connor Dietz.It was the third straight blowout loss for New Mexico, which scored its first offensive touchdown of the season, breaking a drought that had stretched 15 quarters.