Most Nebraska fans assumed Sam Keller would run away with the starting quarterback job a year after leaving Arizona State under curious circumstances. But someone forgot to inform Joe Ganz of this plan.
The unheralded junior is confident and his performance in Saturday's scrimmage apparently bettered that of Keller. Ganz directed three scoring drives with the first team offense and also connected on a touchdown pass in the 80-play scrimmage.
"I'm as confident as I've ever been," Ganz said. "I know what I'm doing. I've been here for a long time and I know what the defense is doing. ... I like to get my motor going. I like to get the guys going and put a lot of pressure on the defense."
Keller, on the other hand, never got going on Saturday. He managed to complete a long pass to tight end Hunter Teafatiller, but failed to lead the offense to any points.
"I didn't really get into the flow today," Keller said. "It wasn't one of my best days. I made some good throws on some play-action. But we really couldn't get in the end zone, which was disappointing."
Although Bill Callahan has stressed that the starting job was up for grabs, most figured this was nothing more than coach-speak. It now appears that there is some true competition to replace Zac Taylor, who completed his eligibility in 2006. While Keller experienced a similar position battle last August, let's hope that his performances – both on and
off the field – aren't signs that the pressure is getting to him.
