Colorado University Athletics
Cox To Start Against Clemson in Champs Sports Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. ? James Cox has been named the starter for Colorado in next Tuesday’s Champ Sports Bowl, as he will replace Joel Klatt in the lineup for the Buffaloes against the No. 23 Clemson Tigers.
While Klatt has not been ruled entirely out of the game, he has yet to be cleared for practice by team doctors following a severe concussion he suffered in the third quarter of the Big 12 Championship against Texas.
The Longhorns’ Drew Kelson registered a vicious, illegal helmet-to-chin hit on Klatt, ending his participation in the game and possibly his season and collegiate career. Klatt was hospitalized overnight in Houston following the injury and only in the last day or so has started to look and feel normal. Kelson was flagged for the shot, which came on a blitz with Texas up by 67 points at the time.
“Joel (Joel Klatt) still hasn’t been cleared,” interim head coach Mike Hankwitz said. “His symptoms are getting better, but he still hasn’t been cleared. If he does get clearance from the doctors and trainers, we’ll have him available for spot duty but James Cox is going to start. James is our man and if Joel is available and we can use him in spots, we will.”
“If Joel doesn’t get cleared in the next day or two or doesn’t get to practice then I’d say he wouldn’t play because he won’t be ready. But if he does get cleared, we owe it to him for everything he’s done for Colorado. But again he has to get that clearance or this doesn’t matter.”
Klatt has set 44 school records, including game, season and career, and all major career passing marks except one (quarterback rating, in which he was seventh).
Cox has one career start, in 2004 as a sophomore against Iowa State, and has seen only limited duty this season. However, he was in the hunt to be CU’s starter entering the 2003 season as a redshirt freshman and has basically been the second-team signal caller all three years behind Klatt.
Brian White and Bernard Jackson will backup Cox if Klatt can’t suit up for the game.
Other comments following Colorado’s second Champs Sports Bowl practice, which took place in 70-degree weather under sunny skies here in Orlando Friday:
INTERIM HEAD COACH MIKE HANKWITZ
On Friday’s Practice: “We had an outstanding practice today. The intensity and competition were excellent. We are building up for the game and getting excited about playing. I was very pleased with today. We’ll come out in pads tomorrow, but we’ll cut it back some based on what we accomplished today.”
On Team’s Attitude: “We’ve been through a lot of emotions. Disappointment on how the season ended... embarrassed by our championship game performance...Coach Barnett’s status...and then when they said they were going to let him go, the kids went through another emotion... then it became who was going to be the new head coach was going to be...then the new coach was named and then he had an opportunity to address the team. It’s been one distraction or issue after another. Some of these things have been resolved, but the biggest thing is that we’ve been able to get back on the field and practice. We have an opportunity to show that we are a heck of a lot better team than we showed and that’s the most important thing. Our attitude has gotten a lot better and getting down here in this weather has certainly helped.”
QB JOEL KLATT
On His Regimen: “Right now, all I can do is the things the doctors and trainers ask me to do. If I can, I hope to be available, but all I can do is hope for the best.”
On His Symptoms: “Just the things you would expect with a head injury...some dizziness, disorientation. That sort of thing.”
On Not Starting: “It’s not something that I wanted to hear, but I am going to go with whatever the doctors and trainers say first. The timing of it is such that I haven’t been able to practice and so the coaches have to do what’s best for the team.”
On When he Will Consider Counting Himself Out: “Never... I hope to be available to help the team in any capacity. If it’s not on the field, then I will find something off the field to help this team win.”
QB JAMES COX
On Preparation As The Starter: “It’s nothing new for me. You prepare the same way whether you are starting or not. It’s preparing to go out there and win, move the ball and put points on the board.”
On Clemson: “We had two weeks to prepare for Clemson. They are really good and really fast. Now they are going to give some things and when they do, we have to take advantage of them.”
On His Strengths: “It’s probably the total package. I don’t have the strongest arm on the team, I know that I am not the smartest. But combined, I think I can do everything a quarterback needs to do fairly well. I can run the ball if the protection breaks down...run a little, throw a little...I’ve been here four years now so I know the offense...I know where to go with the ball.”
On Emotions Of The Last Month: “It’s been a real emotional week. It was all going down hill for us...we had finals to deal with...we had lost three games in a row, there was a lot of rumors flying around about the coaching staff. It was tough for some of the guys to get through it. Stuff happens in life and you just have to push through it. Everything that has happened is in the past and we have to take some of the negatives, learn from it and grow from it.”
LB JORDON DIZON
On Clemson: “Clemson’s running backs are awesome. They have two powerful fullbacks and a whole lot of tailbacks that can run. Sort of a thunder and lightning attack. Their offense does a lot of motion and combinations. It’s hard for the defense and that’s why it takes a lot of preparation. You watch a lot of film on them and it becomes apparent that they are a great team and deserve a lot of respect. They are a lot like Miami...fast and big. They just don’t get the same respect, but they should. It’s going to be great to play in a bowl game against such a good opponent.”
WR DUSTY SPRAGUE
General: “It’s pretty neat to be back here (in Orlando). This is one of our favorite places to come as a family. We used to come to Orlando for a family vacation every year when I was little.
“We have to end this on the right note. It will help give us momentum for next year and send our seniors off with a win.”
On Team Mindset: “I sense a different attitude. Probably because of the weather...it’s pretty nice out. When its 10 degrees out, it is sort of hard to get fired up about going out to practice. Everybody is happy to be down here and get ready to compete.”
On Coaching Change: “It’s been tough, but we have to fight through that sort of thing. They say time heals all wounds, so hopefully time has healed us and we can go out with a clear mind and go after it.”
On Quarterback Change: “We have a lot of confidence in James. It certainly hasn’t changed our preparation. Our game plan is the same and hopefully we’ll be able to execute it.”