Manhattan, Kan. – Colorado secondary coach Craig Bray wanted to hold cornerback Lorenzo Sims, recovering from knee surgery, out of Saturday’s game entirely.
But in the second quarter, with Terry Washington struggling, it was no longer an option.
“After the first quarter, I could see some looks in some guys’ eyes, and I just felt I had to put him in,” Bray said. “Just having Sims on the field, I think, helps the whole mentality of the secondary. They trust him. They think he’s probably the leader of the group.”
Sims’ numbers were modest – just two tackles and one pass broken up – but his presence boosted the CU secondary.
“You could tell when I put him in during the second quarter that it was different,” Bray said. “Kansas State went from completing everything to not doing well. Just having him in there was good.”
Bray said he planned to start Washington in the third quarter, but a knee injury prevented it.
“He was visibly limping,” Bray said. “He wanted out, so I went with ‘Zo. Obviously once I got him in there, I’m not taking him out.”
Sims, who had torn cartilage removed from his left knee on Oct. 17, said he fully expected to play.
“As the game went on, I felt more comfortable,” he said. “I was back to making plays. I wanted to come back as soon as possible. I feel better than I did going into the CSU game.”
Getting B-Jax ready
With injuries to tailbacks Hugh Charles and Byron Ellis, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said Bernard Jackson, originally recruited as a quarterback, will need to be ready for potential playing time this week.
“He’ll have to step up and be in the mix, no doubt,” Watson said. “We’ll just have to saddle up with what we’ve got.”
Fullback Lawrence Vickers got most of the carries in the second half against Kansas State and finished with 24 yards on 12 carries.
Klatt’s milestone
CU quarterback Joel Klatt passed Kordell Stewart to become the Buffs’ all-time leading passer.
With 272 yards against Kansas State, Klatt has 6,579 yards. Stewart had 6,481 yards from 1991-94.
“I’ve got so much respect for him and the legacy he left at this school,” Klatt said. “Like I’ve said and will continue to say, it’s kind of like a dream come true for me.”
Injury report
Linebacker Alex Ligon (knee), offensive lineman Edwin Harrison (ankle), tight end Joe Klopfenstein (shoulder), wide receiver Evan Judge (shoulder), linebacker Brian Iwuh (hamstring), Charles (ankle), wide receiver Dusty Sprague (concussion) and linebacker Jordon Dizon (neck stinger) are listed as probable for CU next Saturday against Missouri. Ellis (ankle) is questionable.
