Despite Injury, Hagan Comes to Rescue, 28-12 : Colorado: Sidelined because of a sprained shoulder, he takes over to spark a victory over Iowa State.

Darian Hagan, who wasn’t expected to play because of a sprained left shoulder, led Colorado to touchdowns on three of four possessions, lifting the 14th-ranked Buffaloes to a 28-12 Big Eight victory over Iowa State Saturday.

Hagan came off the bench and produced the go-ahead touchdown at the end of the first half on a three-yard pass to tight end Sean Brown.

Hagan directed scoring drives of 80 and 84 yards, capped by Eric Bieniemy’s one-yard run and wide receiver Mike Pritchard’s 30-yard run on a reverse, in the third quarter as Colorado improved to 5-1-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Eight.

Hagan entered the game with six minutes left in the first half after starting quarterback Charles Johnson suffered a thigh injury and freshman Vance Joseph was ineffective.

Iowa State (2-3-1, 0-1-1) took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Mixing quick passes and draw plays, the Cyclones had four plays of at least 12 yards during the drive, capped by Chris Pedersen’s six-yard touchdown pass to Sundiata Patterson.

Iowa State then converted the first of two Colorado fumbles into a field goal. Bieniemy fumbled at the Colorado 21, and Jeff Shudak kicked a 36-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead with 9:14 left in the first quarter.

Colorado followed with an 84-yard drive, capped by Johnson’s 29-yard pass to wingback Michael Simmons.

Dave McCloughan’s 24-yard punt return to the Iowa State 36 was wasted when Jim Harper’s 29-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Mark DouBrava early in the second quarter.

Another Colorado fumble, by fullback George Hemingway, gave Iowa State the ball near midfield, and Shudak followed with a 46-yard field goal with 2:19 left in the half for a 12-7 lead.

Battling the clock, Colorado drove for the go-ahead score with six seconds left. Hagan completed six passes on the drive, including a 22-yarder to fullback James Hill and the three-yard touchdown pass to Brown.