Backup Starts Up Colorado After Detmer Exits, Hessler Enters And Guides Cu Past Texas A&M;, 29-21

Heisman Trophy contenders Koy Detmer and Leeland McElroy were supposed to be the stars Saturday when No. 3 Texas A&M played No. 7 Colorado. Instead, an obscure backup stole the show.

Reserve quarterback John Hessler, who entered the game after Detmer injured a knee in the first quarter, ran for two touchdowns and passed for one and Colorado stymied McElroy to beat the Aggies 29-21.

“It was an unbelievable victory,” first-year Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel said. “For (Hessler) to come into a game like this and perform like he did … was just spectacular.”

Hessler, a redshirt sophomore who had never thrown a pass before this season, led the Buffaloes to victory after Detmer tore a ligament in his right knee near the end of the first period.

“I was pumped, getting a chance to play in a game like this,” said Hessler, who was 10 of 20 for 177 yards without an interception. “It was like a dream come true.”

Detmer, the nation’s leading passer going into the game, wore a knee brace as he watched the second half from the sideline. Doctors will decide in the next few days whether Detmer will undergo season-ending surgery or try to play with a brace.

“It feels fine with the brace on,” he said after the game. “I just didn’t want to go out and play when I’m not 100 percent.”

Texas A&M led 7-0 when Detmer left the game, but Hessler’s two short TD runs in the second period helped Colorado (4-0) take a 20-14 halftime lead. After A&M moved ahead 21-20 on a 38-yard TD pass from Corey Pullig to Albert Connell in the third quarter, Colorado regained the lead 26-21 on Hessler’s 20-yard scoring pass to Tennyson McCarty on the second play of the fourth quarter.

The loss ended a 13-game unbeaten streak for Texas A&M (2-1) and continued the Aggies’ frustrations against top teams. They are 2-6 against Top-10 teams during R.C. Slocum’s seven seasons as coach.

McElroy, who had 644 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two games, was held to 149 total yards and one TD by Colorado. He ran 23 times for 52 yards, caught one pass for 27 yards and returned three kickoffs for 70 yards.