http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/foot...s.ap/index.html
TEMPE, Ariz. -- In an abrupt change, Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter has decided to make sophomore Rudy Carpenter the starting quarterback.
Senior Sam Keller, named the starter on Friday, was excused from the Sun Devils' practice Sunday night and is considering transferring to another school.
"It's simple. I made a mistake on the quarterback situation and I'm changing my mind," Koetter said after Sunday's workout. "We're going to start Rudy Carpenter. I've excused Sam Keller from practice to consider his options."
Koetter said he decided to make the switch on Saturday and told his team on Sunday afternoon.
According to the East Valley Tribune, several players requested a meeting with Koetter after the initial decision and told the coach they believed the job should go to Carpenter.
Neither Koetter nor Carpenter would confirm that the meeting took place.
Koetter said he couldn't sleep on Friday after making his announcement. He said he then sought out advice from his athletic director, coaching staff, senior players and "unity group" on Saturday.
Koetter said he then told both quarterbacks, apologizing.
"I talked to so many people about this," Koetter said. "This has been weighing heavy on my mind for a long, long time and I'm the one that screwed it up. I have to live with it. I'm also the one who has to fix it."
Keller started the first seven games last season before going down with a hand injury. Carpenter came on to lead the country in passing efficiency, yards-per-pass attempt and touchdowns-to-interception ratio.
His performance led to a tight battle for the job going into this season.
Koetter had indicated that neither quarterback had outplayed the other in practice and that Keller largely was chosen because he was a senior. The coach said he had proposed going with a two-quarterback situation, but neither Keller nor Carpenter wanted that.
Koetter indicated he told Keller he would release him to any school for transfer. Keller would have to sit out a year with one year of eligibility remaining if he transferred to a Division I-A school. He could transfer to a Division I-AA school and be eligible immediately.
Koetter also told Keller he was welcome to return to the team. Classes at Arizona State begin on Monday, however. The Sun Devils' next practice is Tuesday evening.
Last season, Keller completed 58 percent of his passes (155-for-264) for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. Carpenter completed 68 percent (156-for-228) for 2,273 yards and 17 touchdowns, with just two interceptions.
On Friday night, Keller said he was "humbled" to get the starting job.
"It's a dream to be a senior and be able to play for all the marbles," Keller said at the time. "I'm very humbled by it because the other guy deserved it as much as I do."
TEMPE, Ariz. -- In an abrupt change, Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter has decided to make sophomore Rudy Carpenter the starting quarterback.
Senior Sam Keller, named the starter on Friday, was excused from the Sun Devils' practice Sunday night and is considering transferring to another school.
"It's simple. I made a mistake on the quarterback situation and I'm changing my mind," Koetter said after Sunday's workout. "We're going to start Rudy Carpenter. I've excused Sam Keller from practice to consider his options."
Koetter said he decided to make the switch on Saturday and told his team on Sunday afternoon.
According to the East Valley Tribune, several players requested a meeting with Koetter after the initial decision and told the coach they believed the job should go to Carpenter.
Neither Koetter nor Carpenter would confirm that the meeting took place.
Koetter said he couldn't sleep on Friday after making his announcement. He said he then sought out advice from his athletic director, coaching staff, senior players and "unity group" on Saturday.
Koetter said he then told both quarterbacks, apologizing.
"I talked to so many people about this," Koetter said. "This has been weighing heavy on my mind for a long, long time and I'm the one that screwed it up. I have to live with it. I'm also the one who has to fix it."
Keller started the first seven games last season before going down with a hand injury. Carpenter came on to lead the country in passing efficiency, yards-per-pass attempt and touchdowns-to-interception ratio.
His performance led to a tight battle for the job going into this season.
Koetter had indicated that neither quarterback had outplayed the other in practice and that Keller largely was chosen because he was a senior. The coach said he had proposed going with a two-quarterback situation, but neither Keller nor Carpenter wanted that.
Koetter indicated he told Keller he would release him to any school for transfer. Keller would have to sit out a year with one year of eligibility remaining if he transferred to a Division I-A school. He could transfer to a Division I-AA school and be eligible immediately.
Koetter also told Keller he was welcome to return to the team. Classes at Arizona State begin on Monday, however. The Sun Devils' next practice is Tuesday evening.
Last season, Keller completed 58 percent of his passes (155-for-264) for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. Carpenter completed 68 percent (156-for-228) for 2,273 yards and 17 touchdowns, with just two interceptions.
On Friday night, Keller said he was "humbled" to get the starting job.
"It's a dream to be a senior and be able to play for all the marbles," Keller said at the time. "I'm very humbled by it because the other guy deserved it as much as I do."
