Injured Charles expects to play when Florida State comes to town
Coming off a big overtime win against rival Colorado State University, the Buffs seem to have everything coming together – with the exception of a hamstring.
Starting tailback Hugh Charles pulled up lame after a first quarter screen pass Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High. Charles didn’t return after the first quarter and doctors diagnosed the senior with a pulled hamstring.
Charles wasn’t in pads during practice on Wednesday, almost guaranteeing that he’ll be watching Saturday’s game against the Arizona State Sun Devils from the sidelines. He said that chances he will play on Saturday are “slim.”
“Today was the cut-off,” Charles said. “But I’ll be back soon”
Charles, a three-year veteran for the Buffs, knows that he has the whole season ahead of him. He also realizes that if he doesn’t get the problem fixed now, it could present a problem all year long. He is currently listed as day-to-day.
“It’s feeling better, but I don’t want it to linger all season,” Charles said.
With the Buffs scheduled to play the Florida State Seminoles in a nationally televised game next week, Charles voiced the importance of getting healthy for the highly anticipated match-up that will air on ESPN.
“Florida State is going to be an important one,” Charles said. “I’ll be ready.”
Triple threat?
Cornerback Terrence Wheatley looked more than comfortable in his role returning kickoffs. During Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Showdown, Wheatley returned three kicks for 135 yards, including one that went for 68 yards.
“With my speed, I have the chance to break it at any time,” Wheatley said. “I’ll be the guy for the rest of the year.”
Wheatley is the starting left cornerback for the Buffs’ defensive unit and a likely Thorpe Award candidate, which is awarded to the top defensive back in college football each year.
Wheatley has expressed interest in moving to the other side of the ball and lining up as a wide receiver.
“I requested that. It’d be like high school again,” Wheatley said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be fulfilled though.”
Wheatley said that he worked with quarterback Cody Hawkins over the summer, although he said it was “nothing serious.”
Charles and Wheatley aside, coach Dan Hawkins expressed confidence with the maturity that his team is showing.
“Winning begets winning,” Hawkins said.
