BOULDER, Colo.—The Colorado Buffaloes don’t want junior quarterback Tyler Hansen looking over his shoulder for a quick hook this season.
The Buffs named Hansen their starter Saturday, relegating three-year starter Cody Hawkins, the son of coach Dan Hawkins, to backup duty.
Dan Hawkins flip-flopped between his son and Hansen the last two seasons. Although Hansen started the last seven games last year, he still had to share snaps with Cody Hawkins during a dismal 3-9 season.
Despite the alternating nature of the job in the past, Hansen is being cautioned not to worry about being on a short leash.
“That’s a very uncomfortable way to play and I want Tyler to know that,” offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau was quoted as saying on the school’s website. “I told him, ‘You’re the starting quarterback. Don’t look over your shoulder. Don’t play tight. Just go have fun and play. Don’t look behind you … That’s why we named you the starting quarterback.'”
So, Hansen can now do what he does best: play free and easy without reprisals for mistakes or missed reads.
The Buffaloes open the season Sept. 4 against rival Colorado State at Invesco Field in Denver.
Although Hansen emerged from spring ball slightly ahead of senior Cody Hawkins and spent the fall camp directing the No. 1 offense most of the time, he wasn’t told by the coaches that he’d be the starter until this weekend.
“It’s good to have confidence from the team, confidence from the coaches and pretty much everyone around you,” said Hansen, who acknowledged he had begun to press with the uncertainty hanging over his head.
After Cody Hawkins was benched last season, Hansen made an instant impact, guiding Colorado to a 34-30 win over then-No. 17 Kansas. He threw for 1,440 yards and eight touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also rushed for 336 yards once sack yardage is deducted.
Cody Hawkins is 11-17 as the Buffaloes’ starter and is the school’s career leader in TD passes (46) and interceptions (36).
Hansen went into the last two campaigns planning to redshirt but was summoned from the sideline at midseason after Cody Hawkins began to struggle.
Dan Hawkins said the decision between his son and Hansen wasn’t an easy one.
“We have two really good ones, you know, and we’re very fortunate that way,” he said. “They both have not been in an enviable position, but they’ve both handled it great the whole time.”
