Caleb Hanie thumbed through his cellphone crammed with text and voice messages recently at the Mountain West media function in Las Vegas. Colorado State teammate Jesse Nading, a defensive end, remarked how only a quarterback could get so much attention.
Hanie is one of three veteran senior quarterbacks in the league this season, joining Air Force’s Shaun Carney and San Diego State’s Kevin O’Connell. Since 1994, every time CSU has had a senior returning starter, the Rams have made it to a bowl.
“It’s expected (by) fans to have a good year,” Hanie said. “After last season, you want to have a good season. I have history on my side. There’s not any added pressure. It’s something that comes along with being a senior quarterback. You’re expected to win, no matter what. Being your senior year, it’s a little more urgent.”
Since spring ball, the Rams have felt the urgency to get back on the field and among the MWC contenders.
The long wait after the misery of a 4-8 2006 disaster ends Thursday morning when the Rams hit the practice field.
“The attitude is, this year guys just want to get out there,” Nading said. “It’s a really good group of seniors. The sky is the limit for this group.”
Hanie took last year’s struggles harder than most. He threw three interceptions through the 4-1 start and nine during the seven-game free-fall that followed.
Once it became apparent to MWC opponents that CSU had no running threat, everyone keyed on Hanie. Compounding matters was a makeshift offensive line changing week to week, depending upon injuries.
“Over Christmas break I was bummed out,” Hanie said. “I told somebody it was the hardest thing I ever had to go through. The quarterback takes the blame and the quarterback takes the praise. That month I was almost in a depression.”
His weight temporarily ballooned. CSU coach Sonny Lubick and offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt had to talk him through it and make him understand the dismal finish couldn’t be pinned on him.
“Once I realized that, it ended up being a good learning experience,” Hanie said.
Confidence returned in spring ball. He worked hard on his speed, attended a camp in California and led the team in informal seven-on-seven summer workouts.
“He knows the deal. He needs to perform on the field,” Hammerschmidt said. Recalling Hanie’s solid start a year ago, the offensive coordinator said: “His key is to not get down on himself, and to react better to adversity.”
The coaches are pinning hopes for this season on senior leadership throughout the squad.
Hanie knows one junior, who should have been a senior this year, is critical. If running back Kyle Bell returns as good as advertised after missing 2006 because of knee surgery, Hanie’s job will become easier.
“It will be a confidence boost for me having him there. It will take a little pressure off,” Hanie said. With a running threat, “you don’t have to make so many reads on every play. There’s less chance for error on my part. It makes everything a lot easier to get 6 yards on first down.”
Rams/At a glance
CSU Sr. returning starter QBs
(Year | QB | Bowl)
’94 Anthoney Hill – Holiday
’97 Moses Moreno – Holiday
’00 Matt Newton – Liberty
’03 Bradlee Van Pelt – San Fran.
’05 Justin Holland – Poinsettia
* Coach: Sonny Lubick, 15th year, 105-65
* Last year: (4-8, 1-7 MWC)
* Returning starters: OFFENSE: QB Caleb Hanie, Sr.; RB Kyle Bell (’06), Jr.; WR Johnny Walker, Sr.; WR Damon Morton, Sr.; WR Luke Roberts, Sr.; H-back Kory Sperry, Sr.; TE Chris Kawulok, Jr.; OL Scott Benedict, So.; OL Nick Allotta, Sr.; OL Adrian Martinez, So.
* DEFENSE: DE Jesse Nading, Sr.; DE Wade Landers, Jr.; DT Blake Smith, Sr.; DT Erik Sandie, Sr.; LB Jeff Horinek, Jr.; CB Darryl Williams, Sr.; CB Joey Rucks, Sr.; SS Mike Pagnotta, Jr.; FS Klint Kubiak, Jr. SPECIALISTS: PK Jason Smith, Jr.; P Jim Kaylor, Sr.
* Key practice dates: Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. daily except Aug. 7 (media day), Aug. 12 (rest day) and Aug. 16 (rest day). There are 4 p.m. afternoon practices (usually special teams) on Aug. 8, 10, 13, 15 and 17. Scrimmages TBA. Practice at Stryker Field, south of Moby Arena, are open to the public. Dogs and baby strollers not permitted.
