Colorado State University Athletics
Bobo names Nick Stevens as Rams' starting quarterback
8/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State head football coach Mike Bobo announced to his team Monday morning that redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens would be the Rams’ starting quarterback entering the 2015 season opener. Stevens, a native of Murrieta, Calif., spent the 2014 season backing up Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Garrett Grayson, who is now with the New Orleans Saints.
“We met (Sunday) as a staff and watched the film and watched it with the players and met with the kids this morning, the two guys, and told them that Nick was going to be No. 1 and Coleman’s (Key) No. 2,” Bobo said.
In limited action in 2014, Stevens completed 15 of 25 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown – a 36-yard strike to Rashard Higgins against Tulsa.
Bobo said he made his decision because of consistency throughout the spring and fall.
“The main thing is consistency,” Bobo said. “You need a guy who is going to be consistent every play and get us into the right play and be able to go to the right targets, and I thought over the 26 practices – 15 (in the spring) and 11 (so far in fall camp) – Nick was the most consistent guy.”
Redshirt freshman Coleman Key will begin the year as Stevens’ backup, and Bobo still has high hopes and lofty expectations for the Oklahoma native.
“Coleman has had his moments, and really, the last five days I thought Coleman’s been really, really good, and he’s got to continue that,” Bobo said. “I don’t want Nick looking over his shoulder, that if he makes one mistake he’s coming out. He’s got to know that Coleman’s there, Coleman’s going to push him and he’s going to have to respond and keep his level of play up to help this team get better.
“I still think both have a bright future and both are expected to continue to compete daily. That’s the only way you get better. Competition is a good thing, and we’re going to continue to have it.”
