Boulder – There were times when Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley doubted he would ever play football again. Now, he is on the verge of breaking the 39-year-old record of a CU college hall of famer.
Wheatley is two interceptions away from tying Dick Anderson for one of CU’s oldest standing records – interceptions in a season. Anderson’s record is seven, which he set in 1967 and Cullen Bryant matched in 1972.
“I believe it’s seven,” Wheatley said when asked what the school record was. “I am within striking distance of that. So hopefully they throw it my way a few more times and I can pick a few off.”
Wheatley, a junior, said he didn’t come into the season with a specific number of interceptions in mind; he was just happy to be on the field at the outset.
Injuries have marred his career. As a sophomore in 2003, he played in all 13 games but played near 100 percent in only a handful of them because of wrist, groin and hamstring injuries. In 2004, he missed the entire season because of complications with his wrist, which needed surgery. He redshirted that season, not knowing if he would be healthy enough to ever play again.
This season, Wheatley’s wrist hasn’t given him too many problems. But there are still issues, which he said he would detail when the season ends. It hasn’t stopped him from being arguably CU’s best defensive player, along with end Abraham Wright.
“It’s definitely been a season that’s been nice, after what I’ve been through, not being able to play and then not knowing if I was ever going to play again,” Wheatley said. “From a personal standpoint, it’s been a pretty solid season.
“I’m definitely satisfied with what I’m doing, but if you count how many I should have caught, I should have like 10 interceptions. I definitely hate losing, but it brings a smile to my face. Hopefully, I’ll get a few more.”
Devenny staying ready
Patrick Devenny finally had to square himself with the idea this would be a tug-of-war season between the quarterback position he used to play and the tight end position where he sees his future.
The redshirt freshman says he’s fine wherever the Buffs need him.
Right now, that’s at quarterback. Devenny will be CU’s backup for the remainder of the season because of a broken thumb suffered by James Cox, which likely will end the senior’s career. Until now, Devenny went through individual drills in practices with the tight ends and was quarterback of the scout team.
He has not played in a game this season.
“I definitely feel comfortable at quarterback,” the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Devenny said. “I played quarterback all through high school, that’s what I came here as. I have enough background with quarterback to feel comfortable.
“I’m just kind of trying to figure out the whole deal, take one step at a time and prepare like I am the backup quarterback. In the worst-case scenario, if something does happen to Bernard (Jackson), I can come in and not let down the team and know every possible circumstance that can happen.”
Billingsley doubtful
Coach Dan Hawkins said J.J. Billingsley’s knee isn’t responding as the Buffs would have hoped, and he is not expected to play Saturday against Kansas. The senior safety had surgery Oct. 5 to repair torn meniscus.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
