Quotes about Graunke being ready to start if Colt can't go

About preparing for CSU like he will be the starter, Graunke said:
"As of right now, I'm starting but that's because Colt's not practicing. If he's ready to go, he's going to be the guy out there because coach (June Jones) has to make the best decision for the team, and that's obviously him right now." (HA)

HA Note: "Brennan underwent an MRI Monday afternoon, and a reading did not show any serious damage. Brennan's right foot yesterday was wrapped and in a padded shoe. Jones said Brennan might be able to practice as early as tomorrow."


About Colt's injured ankle, JJ said:
"It's still swollen." (HA)

HA Note: "Brennan suffered the injury Friday in Las Vegas. After hours of ice treatments and a shot of Marcaine, Brennan started the next night, throwing for 298 yards and two touchdowns and running for three scores in a 49-14 victory over Nevada-Las Vegas. The pain returned when the Marcaine wore off."


About how he can rely on Graunke if Colt cannot play, JJ said:
"I have a lot of confidence in Tyler. He's a good player." (HA)


About how he has to prepare each week as if he will play, Graunke said:
"I have to game plan, just like Colt. He can go down any play, and I have to be in there. If I don't know what I'm doing, I'm not going to look very good out there." (HA)

HA Note: "During the offseason, Graunke "lost a little fat" while working to increase his strength. Even those strenuous workouts were not enough."


About how he feels that he might not have prepared this offseason as if he was going to start, Graunke said:
"I kind of took the backup's perspective coming into this season. That didn't really help me that much, especially now that I can be thrown into the fire. But I'll be ready." (HA)


About how he aggravated his injured left hand in the UNLV game, Graunke said:
"My hand is a little sore, but it'll be better by the end of the week." (HA)


About how he has to continue to work hard even when Colt is back from injury, Graunke said:
"I have to keep pushing him. Not just for him, but for me, too. He can go down at any play, and the coach could throw me in there any play randomly. I have to be ready to go, and know what to do on the field. I have to be mentally prepared. I have to be physically prepared. I've been here a long time. I know my reads." (HA)


About how he expects Colt to play vs. CSU, JJ said:
"He'll play this weekend." (HSB)


About the progress his ankle has been making, Colt said:
"It's going good. The swelling is going down really well. There's a lot of pain and soreness, but the MRI and X-ray say everything's fine. I just have to stay off it as much as possible and let it heal up so I can go on Saturday." (HSB)


About how JJ and he has confidence in Graunke, Colt said:
"He's a veteran in a sense. It's real comforting from Coach's standpoint and mine to know that Tyler is the guy." (HSB)


About practicing with the first team offense, Graunke said:
"Yeah, the comfort level is there. A lot of those guys have been my guys the last few years. I think I can play with anybody on the field, anybody on our team, we got a bunch of good guys." (HSB)


About working as the #1 QB in practice, Graunke said:
"It felt good man. Every week I need to get my head in the game, get mentally prepared. But today was different than any other Tuesday. ... I'm the one in there taking most of the reps. It's cool like, what we do on film then come out here and do it on the field. It's different than any other week because I'm kind of sitting in the background every other week." (HSB)


About how he normally works with the 2nd team, Graunke talked about working with the starters:
"I have my own group of receivers and my own group of linemen. Today, I got thrown in there with the 1's and it feels good. Put everybody on my back and let's go, let's do it. I get to be a leader and get to show everybody what I can do." (HSB)


Praising Graunke's performance in practice yesterday, Colt said:
"Typical Tyler. He always goes in there and does well. If I'm ready to go Saturday, my intention is to get in there and get my reps and then let the younger guys go. I won't really know until Thursday or Friday, but I have every intention of playing. But whether I play or not, I expect Tyler to have a big game." (HSB)


About how Graunke will improve by being the #1 QB in practice this week, Dan Morrison said:
"With most offenses the person who gets most of the reps gets better. You see things better and get more comfortable. Just the fact of getting more reps this week than in a long time will help him. He's got the attributes, it's just getting in there and getting in the rhythm when it's meaningful." (HSB)


About preparing for CSU, Graunke said:
"I still gotta be mentally prepared, that's the main thing. I've been here a long time, and if I'm not mentally prepared by now, then I shouldn't be here. I'm obviously ready to go physically, I can make all the throws and all the decisions, I just have to get my head ready to be a starter, because I could be possibly this weekend." (HSB)


About how it has been hard for Graunke to wait to play behind Colt, Morrison said:
"That's been the most difficult thing for him, the long wait. He's handled it very well. He and Colt are very competitive, and it's very difficult for him to wait and almost get there and have to wait again. He's grown up and matured with it and will probably be better because of it." (HSB)


About how he needed that 81-yard TD pass to Lane vs. UNLV, Graunke said:
"Oh, I needed that so bad, to get my confidence back. Hopefully if I get to start this week I'll just take that momentum and just roll with it. I think I can make the plays and get the win for us." (HSB)