This week the Bisons expect pre-season starting quarterback, junior Keenan Kellett to make his 2013 season debut Saturday against Southern Nazarene University.
Kellett suffered an injury at the end of August, a week before the first game against Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Kellett was cleared to practice last week during the teams’ bye week, and has made strides to get back out on the field.
“I’ve been running with the number ones all this week and expect to get the start on Saturday,” Kellett said.
During his absence, junior Jacob Moore took control of the offense and led the Bisons to a 1-1 record, posting a total of five touchdowns in two games for the Bisons.
“Jake’s done a great job, the first game was tough but he played well,” Kellett said. “The team respects him and he came in and did his job.”
Moore started the first two games for the Bisons, along with sophomore Park Parish who scored on his first collegiate play.
During those games, Kellett had to sit and watch as his team split the first two games of the season.
“Last week was a little different because we beat them so bad, but that first week loss was really tough,” Kellett said. ” I wanted to be out there grinding it out with my team.”
Having been out for the last four weeks, Kellett will have to see how his arm holds up against an opposing defense who is looking to hit him early and often.
“I haven’t been hit since the injury, but I think whatever it is I’m going to be wearing to protect it will do its job,” Kellett said.
Kellett looks for a fast start against Southern Nazarene and said he hopes to quickly get back into the swing of things on offense.
“We had a pretty tough practice on Tuesday and I think I handled it pretty (well),” Kellett said. “So I hope it’s like riding a bike out there.”
Senior wide receiver Alex Finley said he wanted to stress how great Moore and Parish did for the Bisons, and how getting Kellett back in the line-up is a bonus for this football team.
“He is a leader, and he knows how to take control of the huddle,” Finley said. “The guys really respond to him, and it brings confidence to have the starting guy out there.”
Assistant coach Luke Cullins said Kellett brings a lot of qualities to the Bisons football team, both as a leader and a player.
“He is a really good combination of tough running and consistent passing,” Cullins said. “He is a extremely confident individual and has earned the respect to take a leadership role on this team.”
This Saturday night, Kellett will to put his injury behind him and make his first start as a Harding Bison.
“I can just tell I am ready to start in this program and I am ready to lead my team,” Kellett said.
