Hawaii counts on Hadden in Colorado’s thin air

BOULDER, Colo. » Tyler Hadden had a personal best and approached University of Hawaii and Mountain West Conference records for his day Saturday.

But, truth be told, the Rainbow Warriors’ senior place-kicker would prefer a victory.

Soon.

"I’d rather get a win than stats for me," Hadden said after his four field goals, one short of the 40-year-old UH record and the MWC standard, accounted for all of UH’s points in a 21-12 loss to Colorado.

"I’ve been here (four) years without winning much, so I’ll take a win any day over stats," said Hadden.

Saturday was not to be that day, despite a GPS-like precision with field goals of 35, 25, 41 and 24 yards.

"I was hoping he’d miss one," said CU coach Mike MacIntyre.

The UH record was set by Reinhold Stuprich in a 15-13 victory over Brigham Young in 1974 and tied by Lee Larsen in 1981.

"Credit goes to Coach (Chris Demarest) and the 10 guys in front of me," Hadden said. "They gave me solid protection and I just had to put the finishing touch on."

The 41-yarder in the third quarter was Hadden’s longest of the season in a year that has seen him make good on 10 of 11 attempts.

The one miss, against Washington in the season opener, hit the left upright.

Saturday, however, he took a ricochet shot off the crossbar as a sign of good fortune. "I actually hit the crossbar on a 67-yard attempt warming up that was a big confidence builder," Hadden said.

In 70-degree temperatures under a cloudless sky, slight winds and at 5,440 feet, the Californian felt at home.

"It would be nice to kick in this weather any day," Hadden said.

As much as the conditions suited him well, Hadden’s lengthening success this season is, in larger part, attributable to his health and conditioning. He suffered through a double hernia and underwent offseason surgery.

He also asked strength coach Gary Beemer "to treat me like an athlete, not a kicker" and push him in conditioning. "He (Beemer) told me, ‘OK, I’m gonna push you.’ And he did," Hadden said.

"I gained weight, 15 pounds of muscle, and confidence because I know I’m stronger. I feel like it is paying off for me."

Now, if it would just pay off in a victory.