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…
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