STILLWATER, Okla. — Football coaches like to say that when a star is sidelined, it only gives somebody else a chance to step up. Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy said he was as surprised as anyone to see sophomore quarterback Brandon Weeden, a former minor-league pitcher, come through in the second half of Thursday night’s 31-28 win over Colorado.
“(Weeden) has shown signs of that, but he just hasn’t played,” Gundy said. “You’re not sure how a young man is going to react. Obviously, he gave us a chance to win.”
Weeden, who had attempted just seven passes all season, went 10-of-15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns after taking over for substitute starter Alex Cate, a junior. Regular starting quarterback Zac Robinson, a senior and OSU’s record-holder in career total offense, passing yards and touchdown passes, did not play.
While running with the ball late in a victory over Texas Tech last weekend, Robinson was involved in a violent collision. It’s hoped that Robinson, a former Chatfield High star, will be ready for OSU’s season finale on Nov. 28 at Oklahoma.
Robinson was among 22 Oklahoma State seniors introduced prior to their final home game.
Fourth-and-three.
Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said the missed 49-yard field goal by Aric Goodman early in the fourth quarter that hit the right upright played a part in the decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the OSU 28 on the Buffs’ next possession.
A pass from quarterback Tyler Hansen to tight end Riar Geer fell incomplete, but Colorado players said they were all for the gamble. CU was leading 21-17.
“We all knew as a team that if we got that fourth down, we were going to score and seal the game,” Hansen said. “There was no hesitation.”
Footnotes.
Colorado played without linebackers B.J. Beatty (concussion) and Jeff Smart (neck) and safety Ray Polk (foot). . . . Oklahoma State wore all-black uniforms for the first time since 1994. The Cowboys wore white helmets, however. . . . The 98-yard kickoff return by CU’s Brian Lockridge was the first for a touchdown since Josh Smith’s 93-yarder against Colorado State in 2008.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
