Colorado will see two Iowa State quarterbacks this weekend in Ames.
Austen Arnaud, a redshirt freshman from Ames High School, came off the bench and saw his most extensive playing time of the season Saturday in a 31-20 home victory over Kansas State. Arnaud, 6-feet-3 and 222 pounds, completed 5-of-7 passes for 130 yards.
Cyclones coach Gene Chizik said Monday that Arnaud and four-year starter Bret Meyer both will play in Iowa State’s final two games.
“We had a younger guy come in, and he was able to move our football team,” Chizik said on the Big 12 teleconference. “I always look at how quarterbacks manage the team. I thought he did that.”
Meyer has struggled much of this season with seven touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
CU coach Dan Hawkins said preparing for two quarterbacks does not complicate the defensive game plan.
“We expected to see both of them,” Hawkins said. “I think they’re both pretty talented.”
Lofty status. The Big 12 is the only conference with three teams among the top 10 in the BCS standings – fourth- ranked Kansas, No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 6 Missouri.
“I think Kansas is the one that has surprised the most people; certainly they’ve done a great job,” Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said.
Footnotes. Chizik, on Colorado (5-5, 3-3): “I think they are a very good football team, very talented, very well-coached. They do things that give you problems.” … Iowa State tight end Derrick Catlett, a third-year sophomore from Fort Collins High School, has started six games. He has 16 receptions for 78 yards and two touchdown catches. … Meyer is Iowa State’s all-time leader in touchdown passes (48) and total offense (10,136 yards) … Former CU coach Gary Barnett told The Dallas Morning News he has contacted SMU about its opening for head coach.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
