Ganz happy with performance
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Joe Ganz hears pervasive speculation that he has little-to-no chance in Nebraska’s quarterback competition, that Sam Keller will be the starter in 2007.
Such talk doesn’t seem to bother Ganz.
“I just keep focused on what I have to do and kind of block everything else out,” the junior from suburban Chicago said Saturday after he completed what he called one of his best scrimmages since he arrived on campus.
Playing four full series, Ganz guided three touchdown drives, including two against the first-string defense, as Nebraska pushed through an 80-play scrimmage, its most extensive of the spring season. The quarterbacks wore “hands-off” green jerseys, as they have throughout the spring.
Ganz said he completed two third-down passes for first downs, including an 18-yard strike to wide receiver Nate Swift.
“Nate made a great read (on the defensive alignment),” Ganz said. “He cut the seam right in the front of the safety and I hit him. Those third-down conversions really get you going.”
Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said there were “some good throws by Joey Ganz and Sam Keller. Both guys are performing good and solid.” Callahan has said he will wait until preseason camp in August to name a starter.
Keller, a senior who transferred from Arizona State last August, failed Saturday to lead the offense into the end zone. He said he guided some “decent” drives and completed a long pass to tight end Hunter Teafatiller down the right sideline.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Ganz said his strong showing generates a lot of confidence, especially after the offense’s struggles in previous scrimmages this spring. The Huskers wrap up 31/2 weeks of spring drills next Saturday with the annual Red-White Game at Memorial Stadium.
“I think we’ve had two move-the-ball scrimmages with 20 plays — not anything this long — and we hadn’t scored yet,” Ganz said. “We’d drive, drive and then get stalled. We couldn’t finish off drives. Today we did a great job.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Ganz last season served as Zac Taylor’s top backup. Ganz appeared in five games and completed 7 of 13 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. He saw no game action in 2005 after sitting out as a redshirt in 2004.
The 6-4, 230-pound Keller sat out last season after his transfer. In 2005, Keller threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns (with nine interceptions) at Arizona State before a thumb injury ended his season.
Both Ganz and Keller appear comfortable and confident despite the inherent pressure and scrutiny that goes with quarterback competition.
“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.”
Nebraska’s offense applied pressure Saturday. For instance, I-back Marlon Lucky made a long run during which he made a strong cut to bypass a defender. Cody Glenn and Major Culbert also played well, Keller said.
Said Ganz: “Marlon made (strong safety) Rickey Thenarse’s knees knock together. We had a little draw play and Marlon cut it (to the outside), and Rickey was over-pursuing. Marlon just stuck him to the outside, and Rickey went right by him. Marlon scored on what I think was a 30-yard touchdown.
“I can’t wait to get back to the locker room and really give it to Rickey about it.”
Wideout Frantz Hardy at one point juked a defender with a double move and caught a long pass from true freshman Patrick Witt.
“Our receivers played good,” Callahan said. “I thought our offensive line stepped up, and our defensive line, I thought, did even better. I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing from our defensive front and also from our linebackers.”
Ganz said the offense has improved its consistency as spring practice has progressed, which is to be expected.
“We’re coming together as an offense,” he said. “We’re starting to get our assignments down. Our mental errors are going way down. That’s a big part of moving the ball and making touchdown drives. Guys have to be on the same page together.”
Callahan didn’t rule out having another sizable scrimmage before the Spring Game.
“As long as we can stay healthy, we’re going to keep banging,” he said. “We’re going to try to maximize all 15 days (of spring practice).”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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