FORT WORTH, Texas — Tim Jefferson is at ease being the “other” quarterback in the Armed Forces Bowl today.
The Air Force sophomore doesn’t dispute the fact that Houston junior Case Keenum is the game’s star attraction. Keenum has passed for 5,449 yards and 43 touchdowns in a 10-3 season for the Cougars.
“That doesn’t bother me at all,” Jefferson said. “If I had to pick, I’d rather have it that way. With nobody talking about you, you can go out there and play and do what you do best.”
Jefferson is rightfully in the shadows, after an erratic season in which he passed for only 687 yards and five touchdowns.
While his statistics don’t come close to Keenum’s, Jefferson’s role in Air Force’s offense is just as meaningful. Jefferson’s job isn’t throwing the ball all over the field, but getting his team into the right play, and running the ball enough to post a threat and keep picking up first downs.
“It’s a given that it’s on the quarterback whether you win or lose. That’s just part of the position,” Jefferson said. “I don’t really see me being the biggest factor in the game. I see our offensive line and our defense being the biggest factors.”
Jefferson missed three complete games in the Falcons’ 7-5 season because of injuries, including a sprained ankle and a bruised lower back, and parts of other games. Those injuries slowed his progress from his freshman year, when he won the starting job. Playing against Houston in the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl, he passed for 98 yards and ran for a touchdown. But the Cougars won 34-28.
“This past season helped me realize how complex the college game could be,” Jefferson said. “I’ve improved in all my reads and I’ve made big strides in the mental part of the game since last season. But this year was tough being injured and not being able to go full speed at times. You grow stronger by facing adver-sity and hopefully I can.”
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun believes Jefferson has made progress, even if his statistics might not show it.
“There are going be struggles and good times, especially at that position,” Calhoun said. “The more you play, you gain consistency at playing at a high level. He’s more comfortable with what we’re doing and he’s throwing much better.”
“No doubt, he’s a better player,” said Air Force offensive coordinator Blane Morgan, a former AFA quarterback. “A player has to be poised to take that next step.”
Today, opportunity knocks for Jefferson in a game where most fans will be watching the other quarterback.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
