LINCOLN — Buried within 20 minutes of discussion about his red-hot start to the football season and the challenge that awaits at Virginia Tech, Zac Lee unintentionally captured in 11 words the key to his maturity as a Nebraska quarterback.
“There's always something you can do that is the best decision.”
Lee, explaining the progression of pass reads from a play in the Huskers' victory over Arkansas State, could have just as easily said it in reference to his own growth as a quarterback. He's transformed himself from a gunslinging third-stringer in practice to a seemingly mature QB equipped to play the role of game manager as well as playmaker.
You see, before he took over as the Huskers' top quarterback, Lee usually knew how to make the best decision. Doesn't mean he did it, though. It was just practice, after all, so Lee often opted for a riskier choice, one that might display his powerful right arm but result in an interception.
Nothing about Lee's start this fall — not the 74-percent completion rate; not the six touchdowns with just one interception — has pleased offensive coordinator Shawn Watson more than Lee's decisions with the ball.
The junior from San Francisco is managing the game like a veteran, an element essential for success in Watson's offense.
“He's been 100 percent in his checks,” Watson said. “He's gotten us into good plays. He's ahead of where I thought he would be.”
According to Lee, 90 percent of offensive snaps require a Nebraska quarterback to do little more than manage the game.
“Get the ball to the guys who make plays,” Lee said, “or hand it off to the running backs so they can make plays.”
Lee describes the other 10 percent — maybe six to eight plays a game — as “outside the box.”
“Hopefully that's when you go from a manager to a playmaker,” he said.
That small sample of plays appears to separate Lee from the other Nebraska quarterbacks since it installed the West Coast offense in 2004.
The Huskers have benefited from strong quarterback play much of that time — Zac Taylor was Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2006, and Joe Ganz set school records last year for passing yards and total yards in a season.
But neither they nor Sam Keller, the starter for much of 2007, could match Lee's athletic ability.
“Take nothing away from Joe, but Zac has a stronger arm,” junior receiver Niles Paul said. “He's able to put the ball in a tighter window and throw it deeper than what Joe was able to do.
“That definitely gives Zac an advantage.”
Lee ran several option plays in wins over Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State. He can also execute almost every throw in the playbook.
From his 27-of-35 day for 340 yards and four touchdowns last week, a handful of his throws raised eyebrows at Memorial Stadium.
“I'm probably like everyone else who's like, ‘Wow, he really can make that throw,” junior tight end Mike McNeill said.
But a fine line exists between managing the game and making plays, especially against an opponent like Virginia Tech. The Hokies historically feast on inexperienced quarterbacks at Lane Stadium.
If Lee takes too many risks, one or more figure to cost him.
“I've always understood that,” he said. “It's just something I've had to become more consistent with. You get out there and you can be like, ‘OK, well, I might be running to my right and that guy's 50 yards downfield, but let's see if I can do it.'
“But now I'll tuck it and run for 10 or throw it away.”
And that delights Watson, who appreciates Lee's playmaking side but values just as much the game manager in his quarterback.
Lee scored an 80 pressure rating last week, Watson said, a figure that places a grade on his play in third-down, red-zone and other stressful situations.
“Outstanding,” Watson said. “The kid's been phenomenal.”
Contact the writer:
402-473-9587, mitch.sherman@owh.com
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