MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/23/06)--Prior to the 2006 season, the Concordia quarterback spot was one of the top positions in the conference. For five years, CC relied on a pair of QB’s that earned five MIAC All-Conference awards and back-to-back MVP trophies. The Cobber faithful found out just how good Ryan Hebrink and Brian Schumacher were in 2006 when solid quarterbacks tried their best but came up short in filling the shoes of the two CC legends.

Entering the 2007 season the race for the starting quarterback spot will be the most widely discussed and the most anticipated of any position on the team. Horan desperately needs one of his top two prospects to step up and have a break out season. Jesse Nelson (Jr., Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka HS) was 4-3 as the team’s top signal caller in 2006. He brings poise, a successful high school background and a year of experience to the table.

He will be pushed by Andrew Larson (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.) who spent last year as one of the team’s starting defensive backs. Larson was a standout quarterback in high school and was named the Fargo Forum’s All-Region Player of the Year in 2005. He will need to shake off a year’s worth of rust and will have to rely on his outstanding athletic ability to carry him through the first part of the season.

The two offer a completely different package. While Nelson is the proven talent, he would be the safe choice. He won't make any mistakes but at the same time hasn't shown the game-breaking play capability.

Larson would be the roll of the dice for Horan. He might make several mistakes early on, but has that home run capability that would keep secondaries alert at all times.

Whichever player Horan decides to insert as the starter, will have to show his mettle from the first snap of the first game if he wants to make a long run at the position.

Waiting in the wings: Matt Green

Bet You Didn’t Know: The Cobbers list 10 quarterbacks on their depth chart, the most of any position on the team.

If the Cobber quarterbacks were:
A Rock and Roll Song:

“Question” by System of a Down
A 1980's Pop Song:

“Who Can It Be Now” by Men at Work
A Dave Matthews Band song:

“Stand Up”