Backup QB

[np_husker]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3918...;u_sid=10400779

 

Battle of the QB backups is close

BY MITCH SHERMAN

WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

 

NU quarterbacks Patrick Witt, left, Zac Lee and Joe Ganz. Witt began practice as the top backup to Ganz, but is being pressed by Lee.He even enjoyed his time there last year. But really, Lee would rather not do it again.

 

"It was fun to a point," Lee said as he opened preseason camp in a tight race with Patrick Witt for the No. 2 QB job, "but I want to be out there on Saturday."

 

Lee, a third-year sophomore from San Francisco, brings an impressive pedigree to Nebraska. He's the son of 12-year NFL veteran Bob Lee. Witt began practice as the top backup to senior Joe Ganz - a job the redshirt freshman earned during spring practice.

 

But it's a close race, one that has captured the attention of Shawn Watson, the Huskers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. A year after Ganz lost out to Sam Keller in a preseason QB battle, the fight for second-string duty is on.

 

"Both of them, they're getting their timing right now," Watson said. "Even though they worked all summer, they haven't had the time against a coached look."

 

Witt and Lee split practice reps with the No. 2 offensive unit. Witt, usually candid and comfortable with the news media, declined an interview request this week, saying he didn't want to talk until he accomplished something on the field.

 

He spent most of last season confident he would redshirt, but for about two weeks his status was in doubt after Keller's late-season injury.

 

Lee began last fall limited because of a knee injury and then settled into the scout-team job. His exposure to Nebraska's offense occurred in the spring.

 

 

According to Watson, Witt's knowledge of the offense and decision-making skills give him an edge.

 

"Both of us, obviously, are trying to work for that spot," said Lee, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound transfer from San Francisco City College. "We'll keep battling. Fall camp is a little marathon. You try to get better every day and try not to make the same mistakes today that you made yesterday."

 

Lee, who threw for 3,400 yards and 35 touchdowns as a juco freshman in 2006, said he expected his time at Nebraska to require patience.

 

"The thing that I've had all coaches tell me is that there are going to be good players wherever you go," Lee said. "Every school has four or five guys who are highly recruited. They're all good football players. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here. So I was prepared for what's happening."

 

Even after this year, nothing is assured for Witt or Lee. The No. 2 man this year figures to face competition from a group next year that includes Kody Spano, a true freshman, and committed Texas high school senior Cody Green.

 

Witt, 6-4 and 225 pounds, is the most physically impressive of the Nebraska quarterbacks in camp. He threw for 1,846 yards and 17 touchdowns as a high school senior in Wylie, Texas, two years ago before starting college one semester early in January of last year.

 

"Patrick has come back and been what I expected him to be," Watson said. "He's been really solid."

 

Of the Witt-Lee race, coach Bo Pelini said: "The competition is good. They're both playing well."

 

If there's an edge for Lee, it's his athleticism. He's considered the most adept of the quarterbacks in the run game. His arm strength is also a positive.

 

Lee said Watson hasn't specialized any part of the offense to fit the strengths of the quarterbacks.

 

He said he's excited to see the look of Nebraska's offense under Watson.

 

A year ago, Watson held the same title, but coach Bill Callahan called most of the plays.

 

"Coach Watson's the man," Lee said. "He's running the show. As we go into the season, we'll learn even more and more how Coach Watson calls a game, what he does in each situation. You're going to see a lot of Coach Watson's personality. We're going to throw a lot at people."

 

• Contact the writer: 402-473-9587, mitch.sherman@owh.com

[huskernumerouno]

Good Read

[junior4949]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

[real'97champs]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

He ran an option offense junior year i believe...

[Husker_x]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

He ran an option offense junior year i believe...

 

I just don't understand why you'd want a quarterback who can't run in the college game. It's good that we've got a QB position stacked with guys with wheels (which will be even better after Green shows up). Old Vince Young proved a thing or two about the advantages of running all over teams spread out to take on 3-4 receiver sets.

[HuskerTrucker]

I agree with Husker x....in college you better have a QB that can run, otherwise you are too one dimensional in the modern age of big-time college football.

[huskerguy]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

 

I would say slower than Ganz, but faster than Taylor...

[clone]

hopefully BO gives the back-up (whoever he is) some game time. cally left ganz on the bench waaaay too much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO BO!!

[real'97champs]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

 

I would say slower than Ganz, but faster than Taylor...

 

lol that's a pretty big gap.

[RedDenver]

I think Witt might be as fast as Ganz. He looked pretty mobile during the spring game.

[junior4949]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

 

I would say slower than Ganz, but faster than Taylor...

 

lol that's a pretty big gap.

 

I guess that is where I was going. I don't think Taylor or Keller really scared anyone in terms of their running ability. Does Witt fit their mold? Or, is he someone that will actually be able to keep the D honest with his running ability?

[hosker]

hopefully BO gives the back-up (whoever he is) some game time. cally left ganz on the bench waaaay too much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO BO!!

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

Quick question: does Witt have any wheels at all? He does look like a specimen. However, I see us going to kind of a spread where the QB will have to have some wheels. Does Witt have at least some speed to make him a running threat?

 

 

I would say slower than Ganz, but faster than Taylor...

My grandma with her walker is faster than Taylor.

 

No disrespect to Taylor. I love the guy. But slow is an understatement.

 

Same goes for ol' Sammy boy.

[rawhide]

Long as they don't use a sundial for their 40- time like me kul