Boulder – A concussion might cause Colorado senior quarterback Joel Klatt to miss the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 27, coach Gary Barnett said Monday.
“At this point we’re preparing for the game as if Joel Klatt won’t be game-ready,” Barnett said. “He’s safe, but we expect to make a game-day decision on his status.”
Klatt suffered a concussion late in the third quarter of CU’s 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12 championship game. Blitzing linebacker Drew Kelson leveled Klatt with a hit to the chin area. Klatt did not return to the game and was held overnight at a Houston-area hospital for observation. He returned home Sunday.
Barnett met with Klatt on Monday morning and said many of the symptoms of the concussion were still present. The coach refused to comment on whether he was angry at Texas for blitzing with the game already in hand.
“We knew it was a very severe hit and injury at the time,” Barnett said. “We were just fortunate that he didn’t break his jaw and fortunate that the CT scan was normal. All I know is that I couldn’t play him today. I couldn’t even get him on the field or in a plane today. So, who knows what he’ll be like down the road? I’ll leave it up to our medical staff to make those decisions.”
If Klatt isn’t able to play, junior James Cox would be the starter against Clemson. The backup would be sophomore Brian White, and the third- string quarterback would be sophomore Bernard Jackson.
Cox has not started a game this season. In limited duty during the regular season, he completed 12-of-21 passes for 84 yards. He finished the Big 12 title game for the Buffs, going 1-of-8 for 9 yards.
