Keller "I'm here to start"

[huskerhaze]

Make sure you read the very last sentence in this article!!

 

'I'm here to start'

Keller ready to earn starting QB job at Nebraska

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/foot...r.ap/index.html

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The impressive resume Sam Keller put together at Arizona State won't mean much once he begins spring practice with Nebraska next month.

 

That doesn't come from coach Bill Callahan. That comes from Keller, who said Friday that no quarterback should expect the starting job "because you have some feathers in your cap."

 

"I'm here to play. I'm here to start. I'm here to take it. And I'm here to do huge things," Keller said. "I think the fans should expect huge things from this team. As far as me, personally, I've got things I need to do on this practice field right here before maybe fans throw me in there as the anointed one."

 

Two-year starting quarterback Zac Taylor is gone, but the Cornhuskers return many of the other key offensive elements from the team that won the Big 12 North and finished 9-5 after a Cotton Bowl loss to Auburn.

 

The strong-armed Keller, who will be a fifth-year senior, is seen as a possible upgrade because of his ability to get the ball downfield.

 

His main competition in the spring will come from Joe Ganz. Junior-college transfer Zac Lee, who'll miss the spring because of a knee injury, will join the fray in the fall.

 

"The one thing I've got going for me is my game experience," Keller said. "I've played against the SC's, the Oregons, the good teams.

 

"But Joe Ganz is a sharp kid. He can rattle off these plays and get the offense going. That's where I need to get. I've got to get quick like Joe is. And then I'll have a chance."

 

Keller emerged on the national scene after he was named MVP of the 2004 Sun Bowl for throwing for 370 yards and three touchdowns in Arizona State's 27-23 victory over Purdue.

 

He started the first seven games in 2005, completing 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns before a torn ligament in his right (throwing) thumb ended his season.

 

"I was on fire," Keller said. "Once I have the offense down and it's in my back pocket, I become a pretty solid force."

 

Keller, who appeared on Heisman Trophy watch lists last summer, was named starting quarterback near the end of preseason practice. But ASU coach Dirk Koetter reversed field a day later, saying he made a mistake, and gave the job to Rudy Carpenter.

 

Within three days, Keller had transferred to Nebraska.

 

"You can stay there and bite the bullet and sit on the sidelines and watch. But I'm not a guy who likes to watch," Keller said. "Instead of sitting and waiting and saying, 'I'm going to make the (NFL) anyway,' I didn't take that approach. Nothing's for sure. I want to come and play where I know I have the opportunity."

 

Carpenter struggled as injuries took a toll on ASU's offensive line, and Koetter was fired after a 7-5 regular season.

 

Meanwhile, Keller spent last fall running opponent's plays as the leader of the Huskers' scout team. It was a humbling experience for a man who went into 2006 already listed as a probable NFL draft pick.

 

"I found out how much I really love playing football," he said.

 

The hardest days were game days, he said, because he loves the competition, the crowd and the spotlight that shines on quarterbacks.

 

All the while, he said, he knew his time would come in 2007.

 

Keller said he's never second-guessed his decision to come to Lincoln. His allegiance to ASU, he said, was severed the day he left there.

 

"If I have the chance to go to the NFL and, God willing, I'm in a 'Monday Night Football' game where you state what college you went to, I'm going to state 'University of Nebraska,' " he said. "That's a pretty cool thing to be able to say."

[Washusker]

I love it.

[husker rob]

that is awesome

 

he knows that he has to learn the system, and the verbage of that system and earn the starting spot.

 

best thing is that some monday night in the future will be Sam saying "University of Nebraska"

[bennychico11]

Great article...and I'm excited to see what Keller can do after so much build up. But I don't like him talking about the NFL so much. Concentrate on what you have in front of you. Don't try and come out and be a hot shot to impress people for the NFL. Play college now. Play like that's all you have in front of you for the rest of your life.

That's one thing I felt Taylor did well. I like the players who play for the glory of playing as a Husker. Not playing for a spot in the draft. The ones who say "after college my football career is over, so I better make it count NOW!" Those are usually the players that have the most heart.

 

Anyway, back on topic....I'm excited to see Keller play. Of course I don't want to get too hyped where I get disappointed when he doesn't play perfect in his only year at Nebraska. But I can't wait until next season!

[hack]

Make sure you read the very last sentence in this article!!

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/foot...r.ap/index.html

 

Keller, who appeared on Heisman Trophy watch lists last summer, was named starting quarterback near the end of preseason practice. But FORMER ASU coach Dirk Koetter reversed field a day later, saying he made a mistake, and gave the job to Rudy Carpenter.

 

 

fixed.

 

right now, dirk koetter is working at a Wonderburger in south Texas and mumbling to himself, "what was i thinking?!?"

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

Ah! The Anointed One!!

 

[huskernumerouno]

I,ll bet he is kicking himself in the ass everyday he shows up to work at the wonderburger also.

[MCAT800]

Very nice

[BLKSHIRTD]

Man i cant wait to see this guy play in the spring

[HSKRNOKC]

You cant hear this guys words,see his past stats,hear his passion for the game and not get excited.

 

Lets hope that he can walk the walk and do some special things.

 

I personally think that he will have a MONSTER year.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Great article..............That shows me that he knows the spot isn't his and that he has to earn it!!!! I'm looking for big things out of you next season Sam don't let me down!!!!

[KansasHusker]

That was a great read.

[skersfan]

Well being his biggest critic on this board, I must say I am impressed with his comments. Possibly he has learned his lessons and will do us all proud. I feel a lot better about him now than I did yesterday.

[teamster]

Dirk Koetter was recently hired as offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Coach Helfrich, who recruited and coached Keller at ASU, is in his second year as Colorado's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Helfrich and Keller will be on different sides of the field this year.

[DaveH]

Good article. I'd actually be afraid if he didn't say he was here to start. Why else would he have come here.

 

As far as knowledge of the offense, it makes sense that Joe is ahead of him but Keller is in another class when it comes to talent IMO. He can make throws that Joe just can't. Like a deep out, from what I have heard.