LUBBOCK, TEXAS — Senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley didn’t have to jog his memory Saturday when asked after Colorado’s 31-26 win over Texas Tech if he had ever intercepted three passes in a game.
“Like, um, never,” Wheatley said with a smile.
Not in high school. Not in junior high. Not in Pop Warner youth leagues.
Not that he is counting but, well, Wheatley is counting. Now with 14 career interceptions, he moved into a tie for third place on the all-time CU list with College Football Hall of Fame member Dick Anderson, who later starred on the Miami Dolphins’ undefeated 1972 team.
“Two more would be nice,” Wheatley said, referring to the CU record of 16 career picks held by two-sport star John Stearns, who played major-league baseball and is a minor-league manager.
Wheatley’s interceptions Saturday were his first since getting a pick in each of CU’s first two games, against Colorado State and Arizona State.
“Anybody who has watched tape (of Wheatley) knows that he’s pretty good,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said. “We’ve kind of been on him a little bit because his expectations are high, and ours are as well. We kind of challenged him a little bit. He definitely answered.”
Wheatley almost had four interceptions Saturday. He appeared in position to pick off a Graham Harrell pass in the end zone, but the spiral slipped through Wheatley’s hands and was grabbed for a 19-yard touchdown by Texas Tech star Michael Crabtree with seven seconds remaining in the third quarter.
“I can’t believe he caught it,” Wheatley said.
Real deal
That’s what Wheatley called Crabtree, a redshirt freshman who caught 12 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, establishing an NCAA season record for catches by a freshman (he has 100). Through nine games, Crabtree already has set Big 12 Conference season marks (all classes) for receptions and touchdown catches (18).
“He is the best receiver I’ve covered my whole college career, period,” Wheatley said. “He has the mentality of an NFL guy. He always wants the ball.”
Footnotes
CU quarterback Cody Hawkins helped keep the Buffs’ second scoring drive alive when, after handing off to wide receiver Scotty McKnight on a reverse, he went out for a pass and caught a 9-yarder down the left sideline. “I guess Cody is a better athlete than people think,” McKnight said. … CU’s only reported injuries, to linebacker Jordon Dizon (eye abrasion) and offensive lineman Edwin Harrison (knee strain), were not considered serious. … The Buffs finished with a three-game sweep of Big 12 South Division teams, including victories over Oklahoma and Baylor.
