The most popular player on a football team is the backup quarterback.
And for Coleman Key, that makes him the man on many Ram fans’ minds. Especially after the Colorado State Rams lost 18-33 to the Utah State Aggies Saturday.
Nick Stevens is the current starting quarterback for the 2-3 Rams, and has been, in effect, since spring. He was ahead of Key in terms of learning the offense and played better in the spring game as well as during scrimmages in fall. Even if the competition was close.
In Week 1 against the Savannah State Tigers, Stevens lit the football field on fire, scorching the SSU defense for five touchdowns. He was so great that game, Stevens took home Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week.
But in Week 2, he struggled, going 8-19 for a mere 51 yards and two interceptions. Those rough spots can be expected from a young quarterback like the redshirt sophomore, but Key’s performance at the end of the game opened fans’ eyes.
During the end of the overtime loss to the Golden Gophers, Key pushed his team to a game-tying touchdown before the Rams lost in the extra period. His touchdown strike to Joe Hansley was electric and clutch. That opened the door in fans’ minds about Key being the better QB.
But in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, Key didn’t play. After the contest, I asked Mike Bobo why we didn’t see him, which he responded, “Coleman has got to continue to practice the way we want him to. You’ve got to earn the right to play on Saturdays by the way you work during the week. Coleman Key has a bright future with this football team.”
Fast forward to Saturday and Stevens played exclusively for the second time in three weeks, and he wasn’t terrible in Logan, Utah, but he was just so-so.
Both Stevens and the offense started hot, jumping out to the 10-3 lead on his 16-yard touchdown to Rashard Higgins. But there were missteps, too. On one play, he overthrew a wide open Deionte Gaines which could have gone for a touchdown. Sometimes he locks onto receivers, making his decision on who he’ll throw to before the play develops.
On Saturday, his fumble to start the second half was the breaking point for fans who vented frustrations on twitter. Even if it wasn’t necessarily his fault.
Could be a wet ball for Stevens….. But its time for Key
— Lance Krisl (@bvp4mvp) October 4, 2015
Cameron….Coleman….Donald Trump for all I care!!! It's time to make the change. https://t.co/cJuiVDoQ8V
— Greg Smith Smitty (@GoRamsGo) October 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/mikevvester/status/650488385820229633
@RichKurtzman he's inconsistent even on that drive missed a wide open Gaines in the end zone.. He's missed multiple TD throws this year
— Ludicrous (@LudicrousETH) October 4, 2015
@RichKurtzman How long until Key gets a real shot? We know what this offense is with Stevens & it's not good enough to beat good teams
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) October 4, 2015
@RichKurtzman Key is going to have his erratic moments & turnovers but he can make plays. Noodle arming won't beat teams like this.
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) October 4, 2015
In the fourth quarter, the redshirt sophomore quarterback really turned it on. Stevens nearly led a touchdown drive, going repeatedly to the team’s biggest playmaker in Higgins. But then Dalyn Dawkins fumbled the ball at the Utah State 21-yard line. That wasn’t his fault. Nor were the 12 penalties for 110 yards.
And then, with the Rams down 16 points in the fourth quarter, Stevens did lead a touchdown drive, running the ball in himself over the corer. On top of that, he connected with Higgins in the end zone for the two-point conversion to bring CSU within eight points.
Stevens finished the game going 21-46 for 252 yards with one touchdown and an interception while he was hit on the Rams’ final offensive play of the game.
Quarterbacks are painted as either the hero or the villain by fans, and while Stevens wasn’t atrocious, he wasn’t awesome, either. He wasn’t the reason the Rams lost, but his sub-par performances leave fans wondering what could be with Key.
