BOULDER — Regardless of the jersey they wear, quarterbacks consider themselves to be a brotherhood. Colorado’s Tyler Hansen said he could almost feel the pain as he watched video of the violent collision between Oklahoma State senior quarterback Zac Robinson and Texas Tech defensive back Jamar Wall near the end of Saturday’s game in Stillwater, Okla.
“It was crazy. He got lit up. It was bad,” Hansen said, shaking his head. “I really need to learn from that. You want to get all (the yardage) you can and help your team, but sometimes it’s better to just slide.”
With 1 minute and 38 seconds remaining in a 24-17 Oklahoma State victory, Robinson, a former Chatfield High School standout, took off running from the Texas Tech 14-yard line in an effort to seal the game. Just as he was about to reach the first-down marker, Robinson dived for additional yardage and was drilled by Wall.
Gasps could be heard throughout the stadium as both players remained on the field for several minutes before being helped off by trainers. The fact that Robinson was separated from the ball was the least of anyone’s concern.
“Your heart sinks to your toes,” Oklahoma State co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer told the media Sunday. “Then you see limbs move, and you have to hope for the best. As a parent or a coach, you just have to hope for the best.”
Robinson was not made available to the media this week but is expected to play in tonight’s ESPN game between the 12th-ranked Cowboys (8-2, 5-1 Big 12) and Colorado (3-7, 2-4) in Stillwater. Robinson underwent tests for a concussion early in the week.
Against Texas Tech, Robinson (6-feet-3, 220 pounds) led Oklahoma State in rushing with 99 yards on 19 carries. That raises the question about how much a quarterback can be — or should be — harnessed in order to avoid injury.
“I always tell him, ‘Zac, man, you need to slide,’ ” Oklahoma State senior left tackle Russell Okung said this week. “I tell him: ‘You can’t do this. We need you.’ I guess that just shows the type of competitor that he really is.”
From the sidelines, Colorado head trainer Miguel Rueda said he often gives a body-English motion when Hansen (6-1, 205) takes off on a scramble.
“You kind of slide yourself, hoping he slides,” Rueda said. “It’s a fine line. A player is the player he is because of his capabilities and skills, and you want him to do his best out there. But you also want him to protect himself.”
Colorado coach Dan Hawkins has said often that he wants a quarterback who can run but not a running quarterback.
“If we have the quarterback carry the ball six or eight times a game, that’s great,” CU offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau said. “But when he gets up into the 16-17-18 range, that’s a little too much. We don’t want to lose the quarterback.”
Wall’s hit was not considered illegal or dirty. But Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said, in general, more concussions are occurring in football because defensive players are tackling much higher than they did in the past.
“It used to be, set them up and wrap them around their legs,” Gundy explained. “These guys now are taking shots from the waist up. It’s happening all across the country.
“(Sports networks) put it on the highlights. Kids see it. It gets on ‘Hit of the week.’ I think that encourages more players to try to tackle high. The other issue is just the force of the players that are competing. Cornerbacks are now 200, 205 pounds. There are some safeties now that are 220. It’s just the law of physics.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Three questions for CU
1. With yet another opportunity to perform before a national television audience (ESPN), will Colorado put on a show or flop miserably? Even if it’s too late to save coach Dan Hawkins’ job, the Buffaloes need to give prospective recruits some hope that the program has a bright future. A blowout loss could have devastating, long-term effects on recruiting.
2. Will CU introduce itself to the end zone? On the road, the Buffaloes have scored just two touchdowns (and 16 points) in their past 10 quarters — dating to a scoreless second half in an Oct. 10 loss at Texas. Last weekend in the 17-10 loss at Iowa State, Colorado only scored three points on four trips inside the Cyclones’ 10-yard line.
3. Can the Buffs avoid costly penalties? Colorado is battling Big 12 colleague Texas Tech for last among the 120 major-college teams in most penalties. But at least Texas Tech, with a 6-4 record, can overcome some of them. When CU shoots itself in the foot, it needs a wheelchair.
