Most college football coaches and players would love a weekend off late in the season. Haskell Indian Nations University has had two.

“We’re ready to roll,” first-year HINU coach Eric Brock said. “Everybody’s ready. All our nicks and bruises have healed up.”

The Fightin’ Indians, who haven’t played since thumping Trinity Bible College 68-0 on Oct. 19, travel to meet Colorado College today in Colorado Springs, Colo. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. CST at Washburn Field.

Haskell, 1-6, ended a 24-game losing streak that stretched to the 2000 season by defeating Trinity Bible.

“It was good to get the guys to have smiles on their faces,” Brock said. “Our focus now is to win out and go 3-0 in our last games.”

That’s a reasonable goal because neither of the Tribe’s last opponents has won a game this season. Colorado College and Southwestern Assemblies of God U., the team HINU will entertain in its season finale on Nov. 16, each are 0-7. Today SAGU is playing Southern Nazarene, a team that defeated Baker U. earlier in the season.

Among the Haskell players who had a chance to heal during the schedule break were quarterback/running back Pete Hahn and wide receiver/quarterback Chris Muniz. Each was nursing a shoulder injury.

Hahn also is Haskell’s punter and leads the Central States Football League with a 36.6 average. Also, Haskell’s Martin Woods tops the CSFL in punt returns with a 12.0 average.

In addition, junior defensive back Brett Blythe intercepted four passes in the Trinity Bible game, earning top honors in the NAIA that week and boosting his season total to eight.

Haskell’s contingent made the eight-hour trip to Colorado Springs by charter bus and van, leaving at 9 p.m. Thursday and arriving early Friday morning.

“We wanted to be able to get plenty of rest on Friday,” Brock said.