Boulder – James Cox will take the field Saturday as Colorado’s starting quarterback. Nine months ago, almost no one could have been convinced that would be the case.
A nervous Cox struggled through a paralyzing three-quarter performance last December against Clemson at the Champs Sports Bowl. In 2004, Cox was named the starter against Iowa State only to have the rug pulled from under him in the second quarter when he was removed after throwing one interception.
It has been a mostly bumpy ride for Cox in his four years at Colorado. The thing is, he hasn’t allowed himself to be rattled.
“If I was a betting man? I would have thought I would be rich betting he wouldn’t be back out there,” laughed CU assistant Darian Hagan, the only coach left who has seen Cox’s journey up close. “But to his credit, he just got better and got better.”
While many in and around the program basically had given up on Cox as a bona fide starting prospect, he never gave up on himself.
“I knew I had a lot to overcome, coming from the bowl game last year and not being able to practice in the spring,” Cox said. “I never doubted myself. I’m a fighter. I never gave up. I had to prove to myself and my teammates that I was capable of leading the team.”
A wrist injury shelved him for spring drills while juniors Brian White and Bernard Jackson were getting most of the reps – and all the praise. It was to be a two-horse race.
On top of that, there were quiet grumblings about just how badly Cox was hurt, and more public assertions that missing the entire spring might be the death blow to his hopes of competing for a starting position.
But on his side was a positive and open mind from himself and the coaching staff. New coach Dan Hawkins’ insistence on keeping competition open gave Cox a new lease on his football life, allowing for one last chance to make good on staying at CU when at times in the past he felt like leaving.
In addition to the regular routine of weightlifting and running, Cox helped organize the 7-on-7 drills players do to keep sharp in the summer. He spent considerable time studying the playbook and applying what he learned on the quarterback simulator, which offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich brought from Arizona State.
It culminated in efficient practices and rapid improvement.
Cox knew the plays, the formations, the reads, the checks and the progressions better than any other quarterback on the roster. The team moved better with him on the field, and Hawkins took notice. The unlikeliest of occurrences was happening: A player who had been virtually wiped out of the equation had turned himself into the most viable candidate for the job.
“The average man would have just given up and not tried to fight back to regain that first-string position,” Hagan said. “He just kept forging ahead. It shows he has a lot of character, he has a lot of pride in himself, and a lot of pride in his ability. He wanted go out his senior year and be the guy. This Saturday he’s going to do that.”
And no, he’s not completely out of the woods. A string of subpar games might prompt a change. But Cox has earned his chance to run this show from the start.
“He’s the best choice for the job right now,” running back Mell Holliday said. “The guys have his back.”
Footnotes
Running back Hugh Charles was named a Doak Walker Award candidate Thursday. … Saturday’s game will be streamed live on cubuffs.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Colorado – Senior James Cox is making his first start as the undisputed quarterback after winning the competition against Brian White and Bernard Jackson. He’ll need to establish leadership and control right away for the team to have confidence in him. Helping Cox will be Mell Holliday, one of three “co-starter” running backs who will see the field. If Holliday is out there on the first play, it will be his first Division I-A start.
Montana State – Like Cox, the Bobcats have a new starting quarterback in junior Cory Carpenter. Sophomore running back Evin Groves, who ran for 435 yards last year as a freshman, should take some pressure off of Carpenter.
Key stat
CU coach Dan Hawkins is 7-3 all-time in season openers (3-2 at Boise State).
Key for Montana State
Composure. The Bobcats must keep their heads to give themselves the best chance to win.
Key for Colorado
Efficiency. The Buffs’ offense wasn’t the prettiest sight through much of preseason camp. It has improved of late.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
