Fort Collins – After a series of labels such as “forced into starting duty” and “sophomore understudy,” Colorado State junior quarterback Caleb Hanie is grasping his new title of “veteran.”
There’s a quarterback switch at CSU, but no controversy over the starter. Hanie, the starter for the second half of his freshman year, returned to the bench last season when then-senior Justin Holland came back from a broken leg. Hanie grew into the role last spring, maturing as a passer with a quicker release, and assuming the leadership traits that go with the starting quarterback position.
“I guess being the veteran now, (the backups) watch me and learn from me,” Hanie said. “I hope I set a good example for them.”
He has to set the example with scant experience. Redshirt freshman Grant Stucker, a former Ponderosa quarterback who bid for the backup job, is out indefinitely. Offensive coordinator- quarterbacks coach Dan Hammerschmidt said Stucker developed a lower abdominal injury over the summer similar to the one that cost former CSU tight end Joel Dreessen half of his junior year in 2003.
Former walk-on Billy Farris, who was battling Stucker for the backup job, now has to step up as a third-year sophomore. Freshmen Sean McDougal, a former Arvada West all-stater, and Nick Neuenfeldt, a versatile athlete from Arizona, are rotating with the third unit.
CSU signed those two quarterbacks in February. Both have the size and athletic skills to play other positions but will get their first look running the offense.
Of the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Neuenfeldt, Hammerschmidt said: “He shows he can be a quarterback; he needs work like any kid coming in. He’s got a good arm. I can’t tell how accurate he is.”
Both newcomers ran the ball well in their third day of practice Saturday. McDougal threw a pass pulled down by fellow freshman tight end Adam Seymour, drawing back slaps from the veteran tight ends.
“It’s a good combination,” Hammerschmidt said. “Both throw well enough to play quarterback at this level. Both need a lot of work.”
The common thread: All four can run the ball, returning a dimension of the running quarterback to CSU’s offense.
CSU soon will start airing it out. The first few days have been devoted to installing the running game and getting the offensive line acclimated to a running quarterback.
Hanie will be happy if he gets 50 yards a game and 500 yards for the season on the ground.
“We’ll run as a changeup for the defense,” Hanie said. “It won’t be our staple. We’ll keep our passing game because we have great receivers and will give the ball to (running back Kyle Bell). I’ll be excited to run it now and then, but I’ll be more excited to pass it.”
As the younger quarterbacks tried to look like Bradlee Van Pelt reincarnations, running over defenders, Hanie suspects they will settle down.
“Sometimes they get a little antsy and might forget which side to go to and take off running,” Hanie said. “They’ll get it down. They’ll throw the ball after they get a couple of hits on them.”
Hanie already has earned Hammerschmidt’s confidence.
“He’s not going to be throwing for 5,000 yards like other guys do, but I think he brings a lot more to the table in other areas,” Hammerschmidt said.
While praising Hanie’s work over the spring and summer, Hammerschmidt noted the intangibles.
“The leadership deal is on him,” he said. “He’s big, tough and smart, and he knows the offense. He’s not afraid to put guys in line and tell guys (when they mess up). He’s got enough humility to know when he screws up.”
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
