Steven M. Sipple: Keller is Huskers' beacon in rough seas
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007 - 12:27:59 am CDT
Sam Keller is completing some gorgeous passes. He’s showing tremendous leadership. He’s the main reason Nebraska has a chance to win the Big 12 North Division. (Yes, NU still has a chance).
One question: Can Keller play defense?
One more question: Just how hard is Nebraska going to have to lean on Keller the rest of the season?
I think we know the answer.
It turns out the Huskers need Keller more than we ever knew.
That’s become clear in the last three games, as we’ve watched Nebraska’s defense lapse into crisis mode and its running game gravitate toward, ahem, mediocrity.
Is Nebraska’s defense really in crisis mode? Well, let’s just say Corey McKeon’s comments during the team’s weekly media luncheon Tuesday didn’t necessarily inspire confidence in the Blackshirts. The senior middle linebacker spoke from the heart, which was admirable. He tried to convey hope. But they were picking him apart on sports-talk radio a few hours later.
McKeon gave the radio guys plenty of fodder by sending up some potential red flags for NU’s defense. To wit:
* On what might be contributing to the struggles: “I think it’s a lack of energy, a lack of motivation in guys . … I’m just not getting the feeling I used to get on the field with these guys.”
* On the defense’s pluck, or lack of: “I think once this defense takes a shot in the mouth, we kind of back off a little bit. We try to feel our way out instead of coming right back after it. That comes from having new guys on the field and not having the mold together.”
* On the importance of looking at the bottom line (Nebraska’s 3-1 record) instead of the defensive statistics (NU ranks 75th nationally in yards allowed): “I don’t care if teams put 1,200 yards on us. If we get the win, I don’t care.” (I can already hear howls of disgust). “Everyone is looking at the stats and not at the team. It kind of bothers me.”
* On parity’s effect on the college game: “It doesn’t matter who you play, people are moving the ball. We understand people are going to move the ball on us.”
* On defensive coordinator’s Kevin Cosgrove’s approach this week: “You think you’re going to go in there (to his office) and get (chewed out) because you gave up 500-something yards . … and he comes in and goes, ‘We’re going to have some fun this week. We’re going to work hard. But we’re going to have some fun in practice.’ It lifted my spirits.
“It lifted a weight off my shoulders because it’s exactly what I was thinking: ‘We’re not having fun, especially when you’re getting your a$$ kicked, you’re not having fun on the field.’ ”
Linebacker Steve Octavien said defenders aren’t trusting each other and confidence may be an issue.
Keller, meanwhile, is having a blast. As McKeon spoke, Keller’s value seemed to increase. Keller’s not under fire; he’s on fire. He’s not making excuses; he’s setting records. His completion percentage and yards passing have climbed with each game. He threw for a school-record 438 yards in Saturday’s 41-40 victory against Ball State and was 7-for-7 passing on the game-winning drive.
He’s a beacon in rough Husker seas. One couldn’t help but notice the dichotomy during Tuesday’s luncheon: Keller’s usual positive energy compared with McKeon’s somber tones. No wonder the defense is searching. No wonder the passing game is thriving (Nebraska ranks 12th nationally in passing offense).
Nebraska feels good to be 3-1, Keller said, “But we’re not satisfied by any stretch. I think I speak for a lot of people in the program.“
The thing is, Keller CAN speak for a lot of people in the program. It’s a big part of his role on the team. Fans look toward the quarterback for leadership on and off the field. Keller thrives as a leader. People gravitate toward him. He’s extremely well-spoken. He comes off as a well-adjusted adult (he turns 23 Friday).
He said he feels he’s a natural leader. But the senior transfer from Arizona State wanted to hold off on being overly vocal at Nebraska until he got some games under his belt. “You can’t lead guys until you go into battle with them,” he said. “It’s not right.”
Now that he has proven himself on the field (1,278 passing yards with a 65.6 completion rate), Keller has turned up the volume.
“He’s a high-energy guy. He’s always wired,” Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. “He was a lot of fun Saturday. He’s a steady force out there. He keeps everybody up.”
Perhaps Keller really should spend some time with the defense.
Said McKeon: “Our enthusiasm and energy level — it’s got to pick up. If it doesn’t, things could get really ugly.”
Not if Keller can help it. Indeed, Sam to the rescue.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
