COLUMBIA, Mo. — Squelching any notion of a potential quarterback controversy before one festers, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said Saturday night he replaced starter Tyler Hansen late in the third quarter with Cody Hawkins “to get a little spark going.” The coach said Hansen is still the Buffs’ starting quarterback.
“Oh, yeah, yeah,” Dan Hawkins said emphatically when asked if Hansen is still his guy.
“I don’t think it was so much (of) what Tyler was not doing,” Dan Hawkins added. “We were just trying to get something going, just trying to get a little spark going.”
Seeing his first action on a regular offensive play, Cody Hawkins, a senior, took over for the junior Hansen with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter and played the rest of the way. Cody Hawkins had been only a holder for placements during CU’s first four games.
Neither was able to put CU in the end zone in Missouri’s 26-0 victory.
Hansen said initially he was confused by the decision to pull him. He said he was relieved to hear that Dan Hawkins said he will remain atop the depth chart.
“You just have to keep your head up,” Hansen said when asked about shaking off the loss and looking ahead to Saturday’s home game against Baylor.
Cody Hawkins was the Buffs’ regular quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Hawkins and Hansen both started games in 2008, although Hansen started last year’s final seven games.
Cody Hawkins said too much is being made of the switch. Their stats were similar: 15-of-21 passing for 117 yards for Hansen, 16-of-25 for 133 yards for Hawkins.
Perhaps the switch was only like a hockey coach pulling a goalie in a blowout?
“It’s funny how you take one snap and the media wants to talk to you,” Cody Hawkins said. “I prepare every single week like I’m going to play. I try to coach Tyler up. I try to take that job upon myself. I think in trying to teach him, I learn a little bit about myself.
“You’re going to get the same exact thing out of Cody Hawkins regardless of whether he is playing or not. I just want to win football games. I’ve been through enough pain and sorrow. It’s time to get some wins going our way. I’m going to do whatever I can to get that done.”
CU senior wide receiver Scotty McKnight said it’s important that the team have a No. 1 quarterback.
“No question, it’s good to have a guy,” McKnight said. “I feel fortunate that we have Cody as well. But Tyler has shown that he can carry this team.
“For me as a wide receiver, I have to roll with either one of them when they’re in there. I have confidence in both of them.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
