COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Dizon, ‘Buffs tackle Clemson in Champs Sports Bowl

By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island

Colorado sophomore Jordon Dizon, a 2004 Waimea High School graduate earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors yesterday.

Dizon and the ‘Buffs accepted a invitation to play Clemson (7-4) in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, December 27.

The game will be televised nationally on ESPN and will kickoff at noon (Hawai’i time). On the season, Dizon was tied for fifth on the team with 55 tackles. He was also tied for third on the team with three sacks. Colorado, the two-time reigning Big 12 Conference North Division champions, are 7-5 on the season, with a 5-3 record in league play.

The ‘Buffs will be coming off a 70-3 defeat at the hands of No. 2 Texas in the Big 12 Championship game, but will be seeking to regain the form they had when rolling up 20-plus point victories over bowl-bound teams such as Kansas and Missouri.

Gary Barnett out?

Head coach Gary Barnett might not be around next season, according to a report from the Denver Post. Citing sources close to contract talks between Barnett and the school, the Denver Post reported on Wednesday that Barnett will not be retained as head coach.

The newspaper reported that there is no timetable for an announcement, but athletic director Mike Bohn was expected to talk to Barnett soon.

However, the 2004 Big 12 coach of the year is oblivious to the reports. Bohn, traveling back to Colorado from meetings in New York, called the report “speculation.” Barnett told ESPN.com’s Pat Forde: “No one has said a word to me. I have not heard from one person that that is going to happen. Nobody has presented anything to me. I am continuing as if I’m the head coach of Colorado.”

Barnett is 49-38 after seven seasons at Colorado.