Check out photos from Saturday's game against the CU Buffaloes in this slideshow.
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Didn't catch the Homecoming parade? See photos from the parade and the game in this slideshow.
Successful teams are often described as being focused, committed and hard working. While these terms may be cliché, they are often the difference between winning and losing, as evidenced by ASU’s 48-14 drubbing of Colorado Saturday night.While the Buffaloes (1-8, 0-5 Pac-12) continue to say all the right things, their on-field performance tells a different story.
“We have all talked about it, but it’s been all talk and no action,” Colorado coach Jon Embree said. “We have some people who are comfortable with the results, that’s just the facts. We are comfortable at times with what happens. So I am trying to create a culture and environment where that isn’t the case and we’ll keep working on that and keep coaching the guys that want to do it, keep putting them out there to make the plays.
“The other ones that just want to be on the team, be around if it goes good and then decide to jump in the water when it’s not going good. We will just have to keep weeding them out.”
While Embree is not the one putting on the pads and playing, he does accept some of the blame for the team’s lack of commitment thus far.
“I put a lot on myself, but at the same time you have to want to do it,” Embree said. “Some situations we can’t make changes, but like I said it’s not going to stay like this.”
Embree may feel he is partially to blame for being unable to reach all of his players, yet the players do not seem to be having much luck either.
“There are guys that are ok just wearing the jersey and that’s wrong,” senior quarterback Tyler Hansen said. “They’re saying all the right things; their actions aren't matching their words. We are talking to those guys and trying to get it changed.”
Embree and Hansen were both adamant about changing the culture in Colorado, but that process will have to wait a week as some negative trends were continued in the loss to the No. 21 Sun Devils (6-2, 4-1).
The Buffaloes have now lost 22 straight road games. They have allowed over 40 points and 500 yards in four straight games.
Although the offense has only scored seven points in the past two weeks, Embree was pleased with Hansen who threw for 285 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
“The interceptions weren’t his fault, I will start with that,” Embree said. “I thought he played pretty well, he could have gotten rid of the ball a little quicker at times. The two interceptions weren’t his issue.”
Colorado is clearly building towards the future, and although the remainder of the 2011 season looks bleak, Hansen believes his team still has a lot to play for and he will remain focused and committed for the final four games.
“I think our last three games are games that we can win,” Hansen said. “Teams that are struggling just like us so I think there’s a lot to play for.”
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
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