Boulder, Colo. ? Tyler Hansen will start at quarterback for Colorado in its opener against Colorado State on Sept. 4.
The junior beat out Cody Hawkins, coach Dan Hawkins’ son.
The coach flip-flopped between the two quarterbacks last season. Hansen started the last seven games but gave way on some series to Cody Hawkins. Hansen completed 56 percent of his throws for 1,440 yards and eight TDs.
The Buffaloes went 3-9 last year, their fourth straight losing season under Dan Hawkins.
Nebraska TE Young to undergo surgery
Lincoln, Neb. — Nebraska tight end Dreu Young will undergo back surgery and could be out for the season.
Young missed the season opener a year ago after having back surgery but returned to play the other 13 games, starting nine of them.
Coach Bo Pelini said Saturday that Young had a “flare-up” that will require an operation. The coach said Young won’t be back until at least midseason, if at all.
The Cornhuskers already have lost offensive lineman Mike Smith and linebacker Sean Fisher because of broken legs and cornerback Anthony Blue due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Nebraska’s Pelini ends media lockout
Lincoln, Neb. — The usual throng of reporters was back in the Nebraska football complex Saturday, marking an end to coach Bo Pelini’s three-day media lockout.
Pelini banned the media because he disagreed with the way some reporters were reporting a season-ending injury to linebacker Sean Fisher. The third-year coach was livid that reporters called Fisher’s parents before he had a chance to speak with them.
Reporters found out about Fisher’s injury from an Internet message-board posting by the friend of an assistant coach who attended practice Tuesday. Pelini also banned guests.
Practices under Pelini always have been closed to media.
Pelini announced Saturday he’s limiting media access from six days to three days next week.
Va. Tech extends Beamer’s deal to ’16
Blacksburg, Va. — Virginia Tech has extended the contract of football coach Frank Beamer through the 2016 season.
Beamer’s current deal was set to expire at the end of 2012. The extension was announced by the school Saturday.
The 63-year-old Beamer is entering his 24th season with the Hokies. He is second among active coaches behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno with 229 career victories.
Under Beamer, the Hokies have had six straight 10-win seasons and appeared in a bowl game for 17 consecutive seasons.
