BOULDER — Colorado quarterback Owen McCown practiced in a “limited” role Tuesday and Buffaloes coach Mike Sanford said CU’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Oregon State will “ultimately be a game-time decision.”
The Buffs (1-5 overall, 1-2 Pac-12) face the Beavers (5-2, 2-2) in Corvallis in a 6 p.m. game at Reser Stadium to be televised by the Pac-12 Network and broadcast by KOA Radio.
McCown, a true freshman, has started the last three games for Colorado. But he was removed from last Saturday’s win over Cal late in the third quarter after taking a couple big hits earlier in the game. Sanford said he didn’t feel McCown was 100 percent and he inserted junior J.T. Shrout into the game.
Shrout led the Buffs to a touchdown and field goal in the fourth quarter, then threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in overtime, a 22-yard toss to Montana Lemonious-Craig in a 20-13 CU victory.
Shrout finished 8-for-12 for 69 yards and a touchdown against Cal while McCown was 13-for-21 for 104 yards.
“Owen was dinged up, even at practice today,” Sanford said. “There’s a reason why we made the move. He was banged up and that carried over a little bit into Tuesday. But he was able to be out at practice and take some limited reps.”
But Sanford is confident that no matter who gets the start — McCown or Shrout — the Buffs will be in good hands.
“I think we’re in a good position at quarterback, and what we’ve said all along is whatever it takes for us to win football games, we’re going to do,” Sanford said.
Shrout has started two games this year for CU — Air Force and Minnesota — but neither produced good results. He had turnovers that led to opponent touchdowns on the first series of each game.
But Saturday, he appeared to be much more confident and relaxed in his role.
“I think some of JT’s rough starts came from almost an over-driven, over-intense mentality,” Sanford said. “I like the head space he’s been in (recently), workmanlike, focused and confident. There’s been a calm to him recently, and that’s part of growth. His demeanor was much better going into this game … I think that that’s paying dividends for him. His teammates believe in him. They always have, but now there’s some tangible evidence to back up just what he can be. We have two quarterbacks right now that have proven that they can put us in a position to win football games.”
Sanford also confirmed that quarterback Brendon Lewis will put his name in the transfer portal. Lewis started all 12 games for Colorado last year and was the starter in this season’s opener. But he was replaced by Shrout as the starter in Week 2 and made just one more appearance, a relief role against Minnesota.
“This isn’t a surprise,” Sanford said. “We’ve had ongoing conversations for weeks. I wish him the best. I’ve said since I’ve been able to take over this role that I’m always going to look out for the best of the player. I have a tremendous relationship with B-Lew … At the end of the day, I think B-Lew needed a fresh start, and certainly there are times in every player’s career, every coach’s career and even in a program’s history where you need a fresh start. I wish him without question the best.”
SIDELINE ENERGY: Sanford’s father, Mike Sanford Sr., was on the sidelines for Saturday’s game. The elder Sanford, a long-time coach at the college and pro level, coached in a game Friday night, then flew to Colorado early Saturday morning.
It meant the two were back on the sidelines together again, a scenario that has been played and replayed since the younger Sanford was 9 years old.
“My first assignment was when I carried John Robinson’s (headset) cords,” Sanford said. “I just love the interaction. I love the energy, I love the interaction with the crowd.”
Sanford has spent much of his career as an assistant, oftentimes in the pressbox calling plays as an offensive coordinator.
“There’s been times where I haven’t been able to be on the field,” he said. “You can’t look the quarterback in the eyes. To me, to be a really, really good quarterback coach you have to have played that position or groomed that position your entire life because there’s a look in the eyes of a quarterback. You can tell when things are really good and there’s times when you know somebody’s banged up.”
That access, Sanford said, was a big help in making the decision to change QBs against Cal.
“For me to be able to be down there and be the voice with the quarterbacks on the sideline, to make decisions relative to the position, it’s a benefit,” he said.
WET-WEATHER PREP: Saturday’s forecast for Corvallis calls for a high of just 54 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers during the day, clearing by the evening.
The Buffs have played in similar weather once this year, a 41-10 loss at Air Force. Both teams had trouble holding onto the ball in the game, with each committing three turnovers.
Sanford said the Buffs the Buffs’ preparation for possible wet weather this week will include “wet ball” drills, as well as testing a variety of different gloves and gear.
“We’re anticipating playing in a wet game,” Sanford said. “Anytime you go to Corvallis, it could be sunny and 75 on the radar and all of a sudden here comes that mist that ends up turning into rain. So we’re preparing for every element.”
Against Air Force, the Buffs fumbled the ball away on their first possession, leading to an AFA touchdown.
“We didn’t handle the elements particularly well,” he said. “We started slowly as a result of the elements. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”
Sanford said he has several other ideas in place to change up CU’s approach to road games, ranging from a quick loosening up on the tarmac upon arrival to a morning walk the day of the game.
“We have an entire plan in place,” he said. “It’s really all about getting their bodies, their minds in a great spot to go perform at a high level.”
CHANGE IN APPROACH: Buffs tackle Jake Wiley, who Sanford said had his best game of the year against Cal, said he has changed his approach recently.
“I just feel I don’t want to let anyone else on the team down so I feel like for me my performance on Saturday was really playing for everyone else,” Wiley said. “For me, what really pushed me to play my best was just having the pride and knowing that I don’t want to let my teammates down.”
Against Cal, the 6-6, 310-pound sophomore had his best overall Pro Football Focus grade of the season in games in which he has played at least 25 snaps.
Also having a solid game against Cal was true freshmen center Van Wells, who played 73 snaps against the Bears. After starting two games at left guard, Wells has started the last two at center and continues to improve on a weekly basis.
Earning a start on the offensive line as a true freshman is a rarity. It is even more rare to get the nod as center. That’s the position that is in charge of making line calls and communicating prior to every snap.
“It’s his athleticism, his love for playing the game,” Sanford said. “When you watch him play, you can feel his joy for the game of football. He just gets better and better and better every week. That’s a rare position to start as a true freshman. His communication is getting better. He’s been a really positive addition for our offense.”
Wells, from Houston, did not arrive on campus until the summer session. But he has caught on quickly and has given CU some flexibility on the interior, allowing the Buffs to also use veterans Noah Fenske and Austin Johnson at center and guard.
MORE PLAYERS ENGAGED: Sanford has made a number of changes in CU’s practice routine, ranging from a Sunday afternoon “Ralphie Bowl” that allows players who didn’t play Saturday to participate in a full scrimmage, to the institution of a “towel mafia” on the sidelines during games. Players wave towels to drum up emotion from their teammates and the crowd.
Also, Sanford and special teams coach Chris Reinert have created the “Dog Squad,” the name for CU’s scout team defense, and those players have also become key special teams contributors.
“Those guys are essentially our version of the 12th man,” Sanford said. “The Dog Squad is out there eating every time they make a play in the game and practice.”
The idea is to get more players invested in practice, which increases competition and improves everyone’s play.
“When you have more people bought in and more people invested in what’s going on on Saturdays, you get better results in practice,” Sanford said. “You get better results in your process, your preparation, and ultimately, I believe it pays off on game day, and that’s what we saw.”