Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan made it official Monday: Quarterback Sam Keller's career at NU has ended because of a shoulder injury late in the Cornhuskers' 28-25 loss to Texas. Backup Joe Ganz, whom Keller beat out in fall camp, now assumes the task of trying to get 4-5 Nebraska to a bowl game. Callahan did not elaborate on the specific nature of Keller's injury. "(Sam's injury) will take him out for the season," he said. "We couldn't be more pleased with everything he's done for us." "He's a great competitor and a great kid. We're gonna miss him. But we're looking forward to Joey Ganz stepping up into that role." The backup to Ganz will be decided later this week, Callahan said. It will either be true freshman Patrick Witt, who arrived in the spring and has quickly picked up the West Coast Offense, or Beau Davis, who hasn't played since 2004. Keller finishes the season having completed 205 of 325 passes for 2,422 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, Keller also lost five fumbles. He transferred from Arizona State in 2006 after losing the starting job to Rudy Carpenter one day after he had won the role. His performance against Texas was one of the best of his career, but the quarterback made costly errors in the fourth quarter. He had an intentional grounding call that stifled one drive, and he lost a fumble on another. He was knocked out as Nebraska trailed 28-17. Ganz came in, converted a key fourth down, then threw for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. A junior from Palos Heights, Ill., Ganz has played sparingly in his career at Nebraska. In 2007, he's completed 3-of-4 for 36 yards and a touchdown, and he's run the ball three times for 27 yards. He's probably best known for throwing a touchdown pass on a fake field goal try in NU's 36-14 win over Colorado last year. Callahan said Ganz had received more than enough reps in practice to be adequately prepared for NU's game against undefeated Kansas. "I've got all the confidence in the world in his abilities," Callahan said. "Joe is very well prepared and very well repped. There is not a problem whatsoever in his readiness. He'll be competitive on Saturday. He'll give it his all. He's excited in this opportunity." There was more bad news: Senior Lance Brandenburgh, Nebraska's most consistent linebacker this year, is also out for the year. He suffered a shoulder injury as well. Brandenburgh finishes the season with 51 tackles and his career with 118 total stops.
Is that a light at the end of the tunnel?... or a train coming down your tracks? It'll get better, you just have to be patient. (At least that's what I keep telling myself.) Just imagine how you'd feel if you had to suffer two more years of this indignity like I have!