For beleaguered coach Dan Hawkins, it was the perfect start.

Colorado dismantled rival Colorado State 24-3 at Invesco Field in Denver, giving Hawkins a much-needed boost after last year's 3-9 debacle. The Buffaloes improved to 3-2 over the Rams in Hawkins' tenure.

Quarterback Tyler Hansen threw for two touchdowns, an 18-yarder to Travon Patterson and a 27-yard strike to Scotty McKnight, as the Buffaloes built a 17-0 halftime lead. Hansen's 1-yard sneak made it 24-0 late in the third.

McKnight led Colorado with six catches for 78 yards, and Rodney Stewart added 69 yards rushing.

Colorado intercepted freshman Pete Thomas three times, allowed only one third-down conversion in 12 tries and limited the Rams to 1.9 yards per carry.

The Rams, who also finished 3-9 last season, finally got on the scoreboard on Ben DeLine's 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Thomas hit 24 of 33 throws for 229 yards, but the interceptions proved costly.

Saturday's game was the first of 10 straight "Rocky Mountain Showdowns" to be played at Invesco. Colorado leads the series 60-20-2.