Lawrence, Kan. – Minds got to churning here Saturday.
If Kansas felt it was prudent to strip the redshirt from a freshman phenom quarterback, shouldn’t Colorado do the same?
Well … no, Colorado players say.
After Saturday’s game, CU coach Dan Hawkins chose not to completely shut the door on playing his son, freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins, this season. He only said it was “doubtful” the situation would occur. On Sunday, he said that it would occur only under “special circumstances,” such as a major injury.
That decision sits well with Colorado players, who to a man are saying Cody Hawkins shouldn’t play until next season. Even Cody said he would rather wait until 2007 to take his show on the field.
“I don’t think anybody would want to give up a whole year of eligibility for the last three games,” Cody Hawkins said. “Especially with the situation we’re in right now.”
That situation is a 1-8 record, with no shot at postseason play – although, technically, CU still could win the Big 12 championship. Kansas kept itself alive for a bowl berth when it burned Todd Reesing’s redshirt season Saturday. He led KU (4-5) to three touchdown drives and a victory.
Colorado, meanwhile, is playing only for pride.
“Cody Hawkins is going to be good in the future,” tight end Tyson DeVree said. “I know that. His chance probably isn’t this year, hopefully saving the redshirt….He’s going to be good, but give him that extra year. We’ll go on (Bernard Jackson’s) shoulders.”
Asked whether it would make sense to take the redshirt off Cody Hawkins with three games left, wide receiver Patrick Williams said: “I wouldn’t think so. … I would think they would leave him as a redshirt and expect him to come in next year and compete for the job.”
But it is tempting for Coach Hawkins. The Buffs seem further away from a win now than earlier in the season, when offensive players were struggling to learn the system. The offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in two games, and the once-promising start from Jackson seems to have hit a plateau.
The junior had his best overall game of the season Oct. 14 in a victory over Texas Tech, but it is the passing numbers that most people care about. That day, Jackson completed 11-of-17 passes for 151 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
In the two games since, Jackson has been 12-of-35 for 171 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. Jackson’s 3-of-14 day against Oklahoma bothered Coach Hawkins so much he decided to go with a quarterback rotation system on nearly each play against Kansas. Essentially, James Cox threw the ball while Jackson more often ran, until Cox was injured.
But Cox is done for the season and CU is scrambling to find suitable reserves. Tight end Patrick Devenny, a former quarterback, likely will move back to the position. Beyond that, no one knows.
Players just don’t want Cody Hawkins on the field until at least next season.
“We’re getting what we’re getting; we’ve got the best people out there playing,” running back Mell Holliday said. “He’s still learning anyway so we should give him the time to learn so he can come out and do even better.”
EYE ON … The Wildcats
KANSAS STATE AT CU, 1:30 p.m., Saturday
For the record: Kansas State is 5-4, 2-3 in Big 12.
Streaking: Kansas State’s 31-10 victory over Iowa State broke a two-game losing streak.
Who’s hot: Defensive end Ian Campbell has 9 1/2 sacks this season.
Who’s not: Kansas State has committed 19 turnovers this season.
Key stat: After its win Saturday, K-State is 31-10 in the final four games of the regular season, dating to 1996.
FYI: Kansas State most recently beat Colorado in Boulder in 2000.
Injury update: Kansas State doesn’t disclose injury information.
Coachspeak: “I think that was the big story in the game – to be able to come back defensively and play the game we would like to after having the performance we had (against Missouri).” – K-State coach Ron Prince, after the Wildcats held Iowa State to 10 points
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
