Lawrence, Kan. – Through all of it, James Cox still smiles.
There has to be a reason for it all, doesn’t there? An up-and-down career in a CU uniform is expected to be over for Cox, who broke his right thumb during the second quarter of the Buffs’ loss to Kansas and might have surgery on it Monday.
He says he will not ask, “Why me?”
“It’s a learning experience, definitely,” the senior quarterback said. “It’s been a great opportunity to be here, so I’m definitely not going to put my head down. I’m going to look at it as a positive.”
Cox never could break through to become the clear-cut permanent starting quarterback at CU and had some memorable episodes as he tried. There was 2004, when he was named starter against Iowa State only to be yanked in the second quarter for no solid reason in favor of Joel Klatt.
Last season he was thrust into a starting role for CU’s game against Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl, but struggled and was replaced in the fourth quarter. Few thought he would get a chance to start again.
But he did. This year, he won a preseason quarterback competition over Brian White and Bernard Jackson and was named the starting quarterback to open the season. He did not play well against Montana State, however, and was replaced in the next game by Jackson.
Before CU’s game at Georgia, Cox’s father died, and he left the team for a week to be with his family in Simi Valley, Calif.
Last week, Cox got a new chance to play as coach Dan Hawkins said he was thinking about rotating quarterbacks, which he did against KU. But in the second quarter, Cox’s hand came down on the helmet of a Jayhawk player and he broke his finger.
“I had a great time,” Cox said. “I would have liked to have played more, I would have liked for the season to have gone different, but you’ve got to learn from it. I’ve got a lot of living to do.”
Trick play
Colorado hasn’t had a lot of luck with trick plays this season. Saturday was no different.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Buffs down 20-9, they tried a lateral to tight end Riar Geer, who then threw a pass to tight end Tyson DeVree. That pass was intercepted. DeVree said he should have “gone up and gotten” the ball, but Geer blamed himself as well.
“That had been a good play in practice,” Geer said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t run it right.”
First-time starters
Redshirt freshman Paul Backowski got the first start of his career at left tackle in place of Edwin Harrison (ankle). Wide receiver Blake Mackey started for the first time this season. … Linebacker Brad Jones grabbed the first interception of his career.
Footnotes
Defensive end Abraham Wright recorded his 10th sack of the season, making him the first Buff in double figures since Ronnie Woolfork had 13 1/2 in 1992. … Wide receiver Chase McBride took over the punt-return duties for Stephone Robinson. Kickoff returns were handled by Terry Washington and Byron Ellis. … Ellis carried the ball for the first time since Oct. 7 against Baylor. He had two carries for 3 yards. … Cornerback Terrence Wheatley recorded his fifth interception of the season.
