Detmer’s Knee Passes The Test

Koy Detmer is a throwback, a scrawny kid who loves contact.

Operating on a right knee that was surgically reconstructed after the sixth game of last season, Detmer shows almost total disregard for his well-being - a trait that torments his coach, Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel’s pleas to Detmer to not expose himself to contact aren’t working.

“I’d prefer he didn’t run,” Neuheisel said, “but I don’t have the joystick on the Detmer control.”

Testing his knee for the first time under game conditions, Detmer threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead No. 5 Colorado over Washington State 37-19 on Saturday. Detmer left the game late in the third quarter after turning what should have been a short scramble into a 34-yard gain.

“I wasn’t really concerned about the knee,” said Detmer, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 254 yards. “It feels great.”