In what was the most competitive fall camp in recent memory when it comes to the quarterback position, the favorite eventually emerged as the starter.
Junior Nate Ketteringham was named the starting quarterback for the home opener next Thursday vs. Mississippi Valley State. Junior Andrew Zimmerman will serve as the backup while freshman Brock Boltmann will be #3.
Nate Ketteringham
Ketteringham did not have a lights out camp by any means, but he did show why he was the favorite coming into camp. He has good feet, is mobile, has a fairly quick release and has seen game action before at Sacramento State. Ketteringham doesn’t want to run but certainly can if the defense drops into coverage. He isn’t as mobile as Boltmann but is more agile/faster than Zimmerman.
Ketteringham made enough plays in camp to show he a guy who can take the reigns of UND’s pro-style offense and make plays while also creating opportunities when pressured.
Expect all three quarterbacks to play vs. MVSU. At least they better all play. If UND isn’t in a position to play their depth guys and win comfortably then we got bigger issues than QB. Getting fourth-string Noah Grover in would be a bonus.
The one caveat that we are going to include in this post is the play of the offensive line. By that we mean thus far in camp they have just been OK as a group. Inconsistent snaps (again), average protection, and so on. Ketteringham will only be as successful as his blocking allows him to be. No QB can look good when being flushed or having to jump for errant snaps before the play even starts.
While we are speaking of offensive line a guy who will end up playing this year, barring injury, is true freshman Matt Waletzko. The right tackle position is still not solidified. Sophomores Bennett Helgren and Sean Russo were both battling but neither seemed to lock it down. Look for the 6’7″-320 Waletzko to slowly get more playing time to see if he can help out. Not ideal by any means to play a freshman but they need to best five out there.
Matt Waletzko
We are also hearing that sophomore OL Nate Nguon, who would have been a starter, will be back around Week 4 vs. Idaho State. His injured foot is on pace to be healed in the time they projected. That will be a huge boost for the start of the Big Sky schedule.
Photo courtesy of fightinghawks.com
