Forecast mostly cloudy for CU's Jackson

Like others on team, quarterback unsure of status as a starter

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 20, 2006 at midnight

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BOULDER - Bernard Jackson is measuring his career as a starting quarterback in days, but he is not alone. Such is the norm for players at any position at the University of Colorado.

As he has done for the past 10 games, Jackson will start Friday at No. 23 Nebraska (1:30 p.m. MST, KMGH-Channel 7) when, against the resurgent Cornhuskers, the Buffaloes close an unfulfilling season.

Beyond that afternoon in red- drenched and raucous Memorial Stadium, Jackson has no assurances.

Spring practice and the preparatory work preceding it will find him laboring as if 2006 was a distant memory, an often-frustrating one framed by coach Dan Hawkins' cautionary words to all Buffs: "There are no returning starters."

Jackson can live with that. But then, here is a guy who has lived through a career of position switches and, until this season, discontented dreams.

Given no guarantees for 2007, "That's how I'm taking it, and I'm not saying I'm better than anybody just because I've started," he said. "Everything will be equal for everybody."

Jackson should benefit from the experience gained and knowledge acquired this season, "and that's something to bank on," offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich said.

But otherwise, Helfrich added, "All bets are off. We have to get that going in our culture - just a different competition level.

"We're not nearly where we need to be in that regard. And certainly at quarterback, we need to ramp up that competition. Everything (Jackson) has done to this point should help him in terms of confidence and in terms of a library of things he can call upon."

Few players, though, have come as far while being asked to deliver so much as Jackson, a junior who made his first career start in Week 2 against Colorado State.

At that point, CU's offense mirrored Jackson's experience - a scaled-back scheme relying mainly on his athleticism instead of a grasp of the nuances of his position.

Ten weeks later, Jackson is the first to admit he is not a finished product. But by anyone's standard, he has grown.

"The difference is certainly significant," Helfrich said. "What we've tried to do with him is play to his strengths the whole time. . . . Certainly, physically and mentally, he's developed a better understanding of where (receivers) are in the progression. In the system, we don't always throw it to those guys, but he's improved immeasurably in (trying to make those reads).

"We're certainly not anywhere near where we're going to be - and that's not solely based on him. But 'B-Jax' is putting everything he has into this whole thing, and that's admirable."

Teammates have noticed, senior guard/tri-captain Brian Daniels said, recalling Jackson's first start and the evolution thereafter.

"He was nervous, very shaky," Daniels said. "At first in the huddle, all he really did was tell us the plays. That was it. Now, he's stepping up, motivating guys. . . . He's needs to do that, it's the quarterback's role. And I think he's able to do it now because he's gotten more confident in his abilities.

"He can pretty much do anything he wants with his legs. . . . If he makes his reads, improves on his throws, he'll be unstoppable. The sky's the limit for him."

Jackson has progressed in the passing game, although his completion percentage (49.5) needs to improve and his interceptions (seven) outnumber touchdown passes (six).

But Helfrich takes hope from Jackson's efficiency the past two games, combined totals of 23 completions in 37 attempts for 345 yards with no interceptions and three touchdowns - half his season total.

Moreover, in CU's 33-16 win Nov. 11 against Iowa State, Jackson and his receivers clicked more in the vertical passing game than at any point this season. He had touchdown passes of 26 and 39 yards and a 38-yard completion.

Taking another step forward in as hostile a road venue as he is likely to encounter is another matter.

The Cornhuskers have not been invincible defending the pass; they rank eighth in the Big 12 Conference in pass defense.

If Jackson can maintain his composure before a crowd of 81,000-plus, do his part to keep the offense balanced and mistake-free, the Buffs could leave 2006 carrying something other than the angst they have saddled themselves with so far.

"There's not really much to brag about at 2-9," Jackson said. "It's definitely humble pie when you're not winning. It's been week to week for me, but I've made strides, absolutely.

"At the same time, I can't afford to pat myself on the back. All I can say is, we've come a long way as a team. And I still have a long way to go."

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466

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