BOULDER, Colo.—Tyler Hansen has gone from unknown to renown around campus, all because of one abrupt appearance.
The Colorado freshman quarterback burned his redshirt year to bail out a struggling Buffaloes offense in need of a boost Saturday night, rushing for 86 yards and showing deft touch by floating a 21-yard touchdown pass to Scotty McKnight in a 14-13 win over Kansas State.
Since then, his phone has been incessantly ringing with well-wishers and he can’t make it to class without someone stopping to congratulate him.
“It’s been nuts,” Hansen said Tuesday. “It’s been crazy. It’s been fun.”
But what happens now? Will he and incumbent quarterback Cody Hawkins continue to split time under center on Saturday at Missouri?
Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins isn’t ready to commit to anything just yet.
“We’re going to play whoever we need to play, whenever we need to play them, to get whatever we need to get done, done,” Hawkins said. “There was no magical formula last week, and there won’t be one this week, either.”
Cody Hawkins started the game against Kansas State, only to be relieved by Hansen in the first quarter, much to the surprise of Kansas State and the fans at Folsom Field. The Wildcats were fully expecting to see a steady dose of backup Matt Ballenger, in addition to Hawkins, not the fleet-footed freshman.
“It’s not something we knew was going to happen, but in this day and age, you have to be ready for anything at any time,” Kansas State defensive end Ian Campbell said.
Hansen demonstrated he’s just as deft at keeping a secret as ducking Kansas State defenders, informing virtually no one of his surprise role.
Well, except his parents, of course.
“I kind of kept it quiet. I wanted to surprise people,” Hansen said, grinning.
But now the element of surprise has vanished. Hansen has the wheels, Hawkins the arm. Teams will be on to their ploy once the Buffaloes (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) send one of them into the game.
Or so it would seem.
“I think a lot of people think that,” said Cody Hawkins, who rotated in with Hansen against Kansas State. “That was Tyler’s first game—he’s a good runner and obviously we’re going to emphasize a lot of that … As he progresses, I think we’ll open it up more for him. He’s not just a runner. He’s a great quarterback overall.”
There’s no bad blood brewing between Hawkins and Hansen over the quarterback quandary. There’s no rift within the team, either.
Cody Hawkins made sure of that, embracing Hansen’s arrival.
“Obviously, I’m a competitive guy and I want to play, but I realize that Tyler’s a great quarterback and our team needs to win,” Hawkins said.
Until last week, Hansen’s primary task was playing the opposing team’s signal caller on the scout squad. He’s been asked to imitate quarterbacks like Colt McCoy of Texas and Pat White of West Virginia this season.
Now, he gets to star as himself.
“I love it,” he said of his new role. “I think me and Cody both work good together. We give the team two different things that can help the team win. I think it’s awesome.”
Ballenger had filled in for Hawkins at times this season, but he’ll take a backseat to Hansen. There’s simply not enough snaps to go around for three quarterbacks.
“I still think Matt will have his day in the sun,” Dan Hawkins said.
When Cody Hawkins’ playing career is finished, he hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps. He’s already getting an early start, coaching Hansen on the sideline in between series.
Hansen definitely appreciates the advice.
“He’s so supportive,” Hansen said. “When I threw that touchdown pass, he was so excited. I couldn’t stop smiling because Cody was smiling.”
Hawkins was just helping out anyway he can—even if it’s from the bench.
“If I play and we lose, or I never play a snap and we win? Trust me, I’ll be much happier when we win,” Hawkins said.
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OFF TARGET: Although kicker Aric Goodman has missed his last six attempts, Dan Hawkins hasn’t lost faith in him.
“The guy’s just off a little bit,” Hawkins said. “Got to keep hanging in there and staying with him. He’s money in practice and he’s just off a little bit in the game.”
Goodman hasn’t connected on a kick since lifting the Buffaloes to a 17-14 win over West Virginia on Sept. 18 with his 25-yard field goal in overtime.
“Everybody goes through ups and downs,” Hawkins said. “He’ll be all right. He’ll kick his way out of it.”
