Boulder, Colo. ? They’ve done all they can.
Now, they wait.
Junior Nick Nelson and redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins, both competing to be the starting quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, made their final auditions at a scrimmage Saturday at Folsom Field.
The coaching staff was expected to huddle Saturday night – reviewing tape and weighing the two candidates – and have a verdict Sunday.
Neither player did anything Saturday to lose the job – or win it outright.
“At times, they both did some things,” head coach Dan Hawkins said. “At times, you go, ‘Pffffffff.”‘
Earlier in the week, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich said that Cody Hawkins had a slight edge over Nelson.
And Hawkins, the head coach’s son, didn’t do anything Saturday that would cause him to lose ground. He threw an interception – the pass was deflected – but also hit receiver Kendrick Celestine on a 46-yard pass across the middle that set up a touchdown.
“He was consistent,” Helfrich said. “He’s a very consistent guy.”
Nelson, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound junior-college transfer, rebounded from an interception on his first possession and led the Buffaloes on some long drives. He also threw a 6-yard floater to tight end Nate Solder for a touchdown.
The Buffaloes want to make a decision soon to get it out of the way. That way, they can start game planning for Colorado State on Sept. 1.
“(Naming a starting quarterback) puts the other guy somewhat at ease,” Helfrich said. “There’s always a day or two where the other guy is a little upset, which is fine and fair.”
The 5-11, 190-pound Hawkins doesn’t think the Buffaloes can go wrong with either candidate. And it certainly won’t affect his relationship with Nelson.
“He’s a great friend,” Hawkins said. “We both came to Colorado to have fun and win some championships, and whichever quarterback is playing, we’re going to get that done.”
The two have given the coaches a tough decision.
“That’s a good sign, too,” Nelson said. “Playing in the Big 12, we’re going to be taking a lot of hits at quarterback. The second-string guy is going to get a good shot to play.”
Freshman quarterback Matt Ballenger also made himself known on Saturday. He threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyson DeVree.
Ballenger certainly caught the eye of Dan Hawkins.
“I thought Ballenger was pretty good,” the coach said. “The good news is all three show promise and are capable of winning.”
¢Notes: QB/WR Bernard Jackson didn’t see action Saturday. … The attendance for the scrimmage was 4,800. … K Kevin Eberhart hit field goals of 29, 27, 32 and 35 yards. … RB Brian Lockridge threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to WR Scotty McKnight on a halfback option.