Beck’s departure leaves Husker fans questioning

By Nathan Walters  |   Thursday, August 10, 2006  |  Comments( 10 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Zac Taylor is the quarterback at Nebraska, in case you didn't know. After a 2005 season in which he broke school records for passing yards (2,486), attempts (399) and completions (233), the senior is looking to set more records in 2006 with most of his supporting cast returning.

And, until this past weekend, everything seemed fine on the homefront with his backups as well. If the Huskers were in a position to put in the second-string offense, it was easy to say that Harrison Beck, a sophomore from Clearwater, FL and prized recruit from coach Bill Callahan's 2005 recruiting class, would take the reins.

But Beck left practice on Saturday and did not return to the university, instead asking for and receiving a release from his scholarship. That left question marks as to who would back up Taylor.

With Patrick Witt coming into Lincoln in 2007, he gives the Huskers a little more hope for the future. But what about things right now? If Zac Taylor were to go down with an injury as he did against Kansas State last season, who would replace him?

Beau Davis, a redshirt sophomore from Southern California, has only completed one pass for 12 yards while throwing four interceptions against Texas Tech in 2004. He redshirted the 2005 season. Davis came to Nebraska as a prized recruit after he led Venice High School in Los Angeles to a 13-1 record and appeared in its sectional championship game. During his senior season, Davis threw for 3,152 yards and 40 touchdowns while only being intercepted 10 times.

Joe Ganz also appears ripe to place himself behind Taylor as the second-string quarterback, but he has never attempted a pass on the collegiate level. He redshirted in 2004 and was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year while simulating opposing quarterbacks. Ganz appears to be in the most contention for the backup job, receiving the majority of the second-string reps in practice since fall workouts have begun. Ganz also had a stellar high school career, posing a dual-threat under center. He threw for 3,428 yards and rushed for another 1,250 in his career and led his junior class to a state semifinal appearance.

Ganz does not throw the ball as far as Taylor, but his elusiveness while under pressure and his ability to use his feet to gain positive yards have him as the heir apparent to relieve Taylor should the need arise.

And there is now another addition to Nebraska's quarterback depth. Brian Hildebrand of Corona, CA is set to enroll at NU this month and begin practice as soon as Saturday, his junior college position coach said. Hildebrand, much like Taylor, was recruited out of high school and attended Oregon State before transferring to Mt. San Antonio (CA) College. He started five games last season before suffering a torn ligament in his right thumb. He finished the year 56-of-99 passing for 791 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Taylor will be leaving after the '06 season, possibly to an NFL team. In 2007, a whole new race will start. Who will begin the quest for the possibility of setting more Cornhusker passing records has yet to be seen.

All Husker fans want to focus on now is how the backups are going to push each other and Taylor to new, better heights. Ganz, Davis and Hildebrand will get their chance to shine in the football-crazy Cornhusker State. How things will all pan out before Nebraska's nationally televised game against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 2 remains up in the air.

But know the 81,000 that will pack Memorial Stadium that night will cheer for whomever backs up Taylor. That's the way they do things in Lincoln.
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CommentsComments: 10  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
sker4life		11:04 PM
08/10/2006
If there is anybody on the nebraska team that is as big of a crybaby as Beck you might as well leave now. We don't need you. If...
No.2
Darren B		02:18 AM
08/12/2006
Beck is in Norman right now signing scholarship papers, he should be ready for the '07' season. You will see him back in Lincoln...
No.3
Tim		09:24 AM
08/12/2006
Hey, it's your everyday average idiot again spout'n nonsense. Beck went to NC State ya dork. Like he would be brave enough to...
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