MORGANTOWN — It didn’t end in the fashion West Virginia coach Bill Stewart wanted, but there is little doubt in the Mountaineer mentor’s mind that his team’s 17-14 overtime loss at Colorado last year set the wheels in motion.

That loss, Stewart pointed out time and again in the preseason and early after the 2009 season began, pushed the Mountaineers to a 9-4 finish (after a 1-2 start) and the win over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

The Mountaineers play host to the Buffaloes tonight in Morgantown. The 7:30 p.m. contest will be shown live on ESPN.

Last year’s battle didn’t result in a win, but it was a fair shake better than the previous week’s 24-3 loss at East Carolina.

“I know we jelled after that game,” Stewart said. “I was in that lockerroom. It reminded me a lot of 2003 down in Miami. I was in that lockerroom and there was a lot of hurt. We became a good team on defense last year after that Colorado game, and we got better and better every game on offense.”

Don’t look now, but WVU is coming off a 41-30 loss at Auburn, a game West Virginia could have, and given its 14-0 lead, probably should have won.

Last year, it was Colorado that jumped on WVU 14-0.

“(Defensive coordinator) Jeff Casteel made some adjustments last year that shut them down pretty well,” Stewart said.

The Buffaloes wouldn’t score again until overtime.

Colorado (1-2) returns the man who had the most to do with that early lead last year, quarterback Cody Hawkins, son of Buffs coach Dan Hawkins.

“(Last year) we did a good job of keeping the ball out of Cody Hawkins’ hands,” Stewart said. “Cody Hawkins is a coach’s son and a film rat. He knows football.”

Hawkins has completed 71-of-135 passes for 753 yards and five touchdowns. He has been picked off four times.

Colorado has been inconsistent in the backfield, a byproduct of health issues.

Rodney Stewart, who lit up the Mountaineers for 166 yards last year, is coming off a 32-carry, 127-yard, two-touchdown game in Colorado’s 24-0 win over Wyoming. However, he did not play in the Buffs’ 54-38 loss at Toledo.

Coach Hawkins said the backs are bouncing back into shape.

“I think so. We will see how it bears out (tonight), but we feel everyone is getting back to where they need to be,” he said.

Scotty McKnight leads Colorado with 20 catches for 227 yards and two TDs.

The Colorado defense is led by linebacker Jeff Smart (29 tackles) and defensive backs Cha’pelle Brown (25 tackles) and Jimmy Smith (24).

West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown is coming off a nightmare performance against Auburn. He was picked off four times and fumbled once.

Hawkins didn’t seem to think that mattered.

“He’s a little different than Pat (White, the former Mountaineer standout at QB), and I think they are both very difficult in their own way,” Hawkins said. “I think you have to run the ball with him throwing the ball down the field a little more. He can run and he’s a big guy, too. You have to really tackle him. You just can’t arm tackle him (or) he’ll run you over.”

Despite Brown’s bad night at Auburn, the senior has still completed 61-of-89 passes for 798 yards and five touchdowns. He also has 208 yards rushing and a score.

Noel Devine (320 yards rushing and five TDs) and slot Jock Sanders (29 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown) have also aided the Mountaineer cause.

“They definitely have juice at every spot,” Hawkins said. “All of their guys can run. Last year was a close game and we were fortunate to win. Hopefully we can do the same thing this year.”

West Virginia visits Syracuse on Oct. 10 in its Big East opener that will kick off at either 3:30 or noon, depending on whether it’s on ABC or the Big East Network.

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