DaveH
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Heat on ASU after QB flip-flop
Greg Boeck
USA TODAY
Aug. 23, 2006 06:55 PM
TEMPE, Ariz. - Rudy Carpenter stayed up until 4 a.m. Saturday debating with his father whether to leave the Arizona State football team after losing a high-profiled quarterback duel against Sam Keller.
Now, after a controversial flip-flop that has put Sun Devils coach Dirk Koetter and the team under a white-hot microscope, the sophomore quarterback is the central figure in a soap opera-like drama a week before the opener against Northern Arizona.
Keller? The senior, who nearly engineered wins against LSU and Southern California before injuries sidelined him at midseason, told the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star on Wednesday he was transferring to Nebraska. He would have to sit out this season.
The Sun Devils, possible contenders in the Pacific-10 with another high-powered offense and an improved defense, returned to practice Tuesday after a tumultuous weekend.
"People are really making a big deal about this," Carpenter said. "I'm sure it's a pretty big deal. People want to read into it I complained to coach or Sam has off-the-field issues. It doesn't matter what the problems are. What matters is we have a game and we're going to play with the players we have. I miss Sam, but in some respects, business is business."
This hardly was business as usual, however. Keller started Arizona State's first seven games last season before shoulder and thumb injuries sidelined him with the Sun Devils 3-4. Carpenter replaced him, finished first nationally in passing efficiency and led the Sun Devils to a 4-1 finish that included a bowl win in which he was named MVP.
Koetter announced the job was up for grabs when fall practice began earlier this month. The intense battle seemingly ended last Friday when Koetter named Keller the starter, saying he deserved the job because of his loyalty and the sacrifices he made. In the intrasquad game that night, however, a frustrated and angry Carpenter outplayed Keller.
Saturday, after a long night of soul-searching, Carpenter met with Koetter. "There's no question, yeah, I went to talk to Coach Koetter," said Carpenter, who admits he seriously considered transferring. "I did have a problem with the way things happened."
That same day, Koetter met with the team's senior leadership council, made up of about 15 players. The hour-long meeting was described as a tug of war by senior wide receiver Terry Richardson, who said at a news conference Sunday it became a shouting match among players at one point.
No one has disclosed what issues were discussed, but the day ended with Koetter naming Carpenter the starter, a switch announced Sunday with Koetter saying he made a mistake.
The fallout measured a 7.0 on the football Richter scale, raising a flurry of questions, among them: Who's running the team, the seniors or Koetter? Will the controversy bring the team together or divide it? What issues concerned the leadership group about Keller? Why didn't Koetter seek the seniors' advice before making his decision?
"Because," he said, "there was nothing to meet with them about. I didn't need their help until the situation presented itself as it did." What situation? "It was just a talk," senior tackle Andrew Carnahan said of the meeting. "That's all I'm going to say."
Koetter said the final decision was his. "The leadership group was mature, thoughtful and thorough in their discussion of the situation, and they gave good input into what was best for our team. I'd be foolish not to listen."
Koetter had said the door was open for Keller to return, but that was before he appeared in Lincoln. USA TODAY was not able to reach either Keller or his father, Mike, on Wednesday.
This is clearly Carpenter's team now. Having the seniors back him meant a lot, he said. "They recognize all the hard work I put in. You have to have the respect of the guys."
Said Koetter, "Our team believes in Rudy."
Carnahan said the issue brought the team together. "It's helped some people emerge as leaders." Asked if the issue could undermine Koetter's authority, he said, "Absolutely not."
Carpenter agreed. "Everyone is always going to find a way to bag Coach Koetter. What if he didn't do that? What if it was some other subject and the team revolted against him and everybody would be mad he didn't listen to his players? I trust what he does, and the players do."
But if this can't bring the team closer? Said Carpenter, "If it can't, I don't think we deserve to win many games."
Heat on ASU after QB flip-flop
Greg Boeck
USA TODAY
Aug. 23, 2006 06:55 PM
TEMPE, Ariz. - Rudy Carpenter stayed up until 4 a.m. Saturday debating with his father whether to leave the Arizona State football team after losing a high-profiled quarterback duel against Sam Keller.
Now, after a controversial flip-flop that has put Sun Devils coach Dirk Koetter and the team under a white-hot microscope, the sophomore quarterback is the central figure in a soap opera-like drama a week before the opener against Northern Arizona.
Keller? The senior, who nearly engineered wins against LSU and Southern California before injuries sidelined him at midseason, told the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star on Wednesday he was transferring to Nebraska. He would have to sit out this season.
The Sun Devils, possible contenders in the Pacific-10 with another high-powered offense and an improved defense, returned to practice Tuesday after a tumultuous weekend.
"People are really making a big deal about this," Carpenter said. "I'm sure it's a pretty big deal. People want to read into it I complained to coach or Sam has off-the-field issues. It doesn't matter what the problems are. What matters is we have a game and we're going to play with the players we have. I miss Sam, but in some respects, business is business."
This hardly was business as usual, however. Keller started Arizona State's first seven games last season before shoulder and thumb injuries sidelined him with the Sun Devils 3-4. Carpenter replaced him, finished first nationally in passing efficiency and led the Sun Devils to a 4-1 finish that included a bowl win in which he was named MVP.
Koetter announced the job was up for grabs when fall practice began earlier this month. The intense battle seemingly ended last Friday when Koetter named Keller the starter, saying he deserved the job because of his loyalty and the sacrifices he made. In the intrasquad game that night, however, a frustrated and angry Carpenter outplayed Keller.
Saturday, after a long night of soul-searching, Carpenter met with Koetter. "There's no question, yeah, I went to talk to Coach Koetter," said Carpenter, who admits he seriously considered transferring. "I did have a problem with the way things happened."
That same day, Koetter met with the team's senior leadership council, made up of about 15 players. The hour-long meeting was described as a tug of war by senior wide receiver Terry Richardson, who said at a news conference Sunday it became a shouting match among players at one point.
No one has disclosed what issues were discussed, but the day ended with Koetter naming Carpenter the starter, a switch announced Sunday with Koetter saying he made a mistake.
The fallout measured a 7.0 on the football Richter scale, raising a flurry of questions, among them: Who's running the team, the seniors or Koetter? Will the controversy bring the team together or divide it? What issues concerned the leadership group about Keller? Why didn't Koetter seek the seniors' advice before making his decision?
"Because," he said, "there was nothing to meet with them about. I didn't need their help until the situation presented itself as it did." What situation? "It was just a talk," senior tackle Andrew Carnahan said of the meeting. "That's all I'm going to say."
Koetter said the final decision was his. "The leadership group was mature, thoughtful and thorough in their discussion of the situation, and they gave good input into what was best for our team. I'd be foolish not to listen."
Koetter had said the door was open for Keller to return, but that was before he appeared in Lincoln. USA TODAY was not able to reach either Keller or his father, Mike, on Wednesday.
This is clearly Carpenter's team now. Having the seniors back him meant a lot, he said. "They recognize all the hard work I put in. You have to have the respect of the guys."
Said Koetter, "Our team believes in Rudy."
Carnahan said the issue brought the team together. "It's helped some people emerge as leaders." Asked if the issue could undermine Koetter's authority, he said, "Absolutely not."
Carpenter agreed. "Everyone is always going to find a way to bag Coach Koetter. What if he didn't do that? What if it was some other subject and the team revolted against him and everybody would be mad he didn't listen to his players? I trust what he does, and the players do."
But if this can't bring the team closer? Said Carpenter, "If it can't, I don't think we deserve to win many games."
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