BOULDER — Those who don’t start, teach. Those who teach, win games.
Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins might have thought he wouldn’t get on the field Saturday in the Buffaloes’ 28-24 win over Iowa State.
The sophomore watched from the sidelines the first half and took what he learned with him onto the field in the second half as he helped keep Colorado’s bowl hopes alive.
Without taking snaps Thursday or Friday in practice, Hawkins said he knew his role was to make sure Colorado’s other quarterback, freshman Tyler Hansen, was prepared. Hansen played the first half but was unable to put any points on the board.
“I think I am very proactive about coaching up Tyler and being there for him on every play when he is taking a rep,” Hawkins said. “I want to know if there are any tidbits of information I can tell him. When I understand what he is doing in practice, I have a much better understanding for myself.
“The best way to learn is teach other people, and I think that helped me out this week.”
Hansen wants Hawkins’ help, but when Hawkins is in the game Hansen said he’s ready to return the favor.
“When either one of us is in the game, the other one is just another coach on the sideline,” Hansen said.
In one half, Hawkins was 20-of-29 passing for 226 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. His fourth capped the game-winning, 81-yard drive.
Entering with a 10-point deficit, Hawkins said he welcomed the pressure.
“I was really relaxed and confident,” he said. “I went in there knowing that the team needs me right now, so let’s make something happen. I went out with some confidence and had a lot of fun.”
The weekly quarterback shuffle is in overdrive. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said he does not know who will start Saturday against No. 8 Oklahoma State.
“You set your ego aside and you’re ready,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said. “Cody has had to tag out for Tyler, Tyler has had to tag out for him. It’s not fun for either of them or for us, but they’ve handled it awesome.”
Last week against Texas A&M, CU found itself in the fourth quarter trying to snag its fifth win. Coaches went with the less experienced Hansen in the final minutes; he ended up throwing an interception as the Buffaloes lost 24-17. But against Kansas State two weeks ago, Hansen’s redshirt was pulled and he was the difference-maker in a 14-13 win.
“A couple of weeks ago I was the spark,” said Hansen. “Today it was Cody.”
