MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/25/08)-- This just in - there will be no quarterback controversy for the Cobbers in 2008.

After battling with several players to earn the starting spot in 2007, Jesse Nelson stood up and stood out for the last half of the season. He put up conference MVP numbers and helped the Cobber offense post one of its most productive outputs in program history. Nelson fought exhaustion and cramps in the team’s thrilling season opening win over MSU Moorhead and then went on to overcome a slow conference start to record over 2,193 total offensive yards for the year. For his efforts was named to the MIAC All-Conference Second Team. His total offensive yardage total was the fourth highest in school history and he accounted for 23 total touchdowns which was the third highest mark in program history.

Nelson has the ability to beat defenses with his feet and in 2007 showed that he punish teams that try and over play the run as he threw for 14 touchdowns and over 1600 yards. Perhaps his biggest asset is his ability to read defenses and make the right calls and the right time. He will continue Concordia’s theme of heading back to the future as he often calls the plays in huddle furthering the coaching staff’s confidence in the left-hander as the keeper of the Cobber offense.

The only down side for the Cobbers at the position in 2008 will be the experience of the back up. Concordia does not have a quarterback behind Nelson on the depth chart that has taken a varsity snap. The Cobbers have two other players on offense and defense that were used at quarterback in 2007 but neither will be listed as a quarterback as their main position. Senior Aron Goraczkowski is now a starting running back and junior Andrew Larson is one of the team’s starting defensive backs. Both could be called upon in an emergency but the job of backing up Nelson will fall on an unproven sophomore and a trio of incoming freshmen. The No.2 signal caller for the offense will be sophomore Kent Johnson who was the freshman MVP of the team last year and did an outstanding job with the junior varsity in 2007. The other three players on the depth chart are all freshmen and will fight it out for the remaining spots.

Horan Says: “We’re excited about having Jesse Nelson around for his senior season. He has just been outstanding and had a phenomenal year last season. He is an unbelievable leader and is like having another coach on the field.”