updated 7:37 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. - Sam Keller will start at quarterback for No. 20 Nebraska in the season opener against Nevada on Sept. 1.

“Maybe because I’ve become so diligent in my approach every day, I don’t think this is a huge jump-up-and-down situation,” said Keller, who transferred from Arizona State last year. “I definitely feel good about myself. Let’s go to work. It’s just a beginning.”

Keller, who transferred from Arizona State last year, won the starting job over two-year backup Joe Ganz. Coach Bill Callahan told Keller of his decision Monday.

“We have a lot of confidence in Sam, and I conveyed that to him,” Callahan said. “He knows I’ve got his back, like I do with all these quarterbacks. We’re going to run and ride that horse, so to speak.”

Ganz remains the No. 2 quarterback.

Keller, a senior, was MVP of the Sun bowl at the end of the 2004 season after leading Arizona State to a come-from-behind victory over Purdue. In 2005, he threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in the first seven games before a season-ending hand injury.

Keller was named the Sun Devils’ starter in preseason last year, but coach Dirk Koetter changed his mind two days later and went with Rudy Carpenter. Keller transferred to Nebraska shortly after Koetter’s reversal.

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Callahan said the competition between Keller and Ganz was close.

“Joe Ganz is a class act through and through,” Callahan said. “I appreciate all his efforts. Joe was disappointed and he should be disappointed. I would be disappointed as well. It’s a good sign.”

Keller said Ganz pushed him hard through the spring and preseason practice, and he benefited from the competition.

“Joe has been here a long time. He knows offense, he knows the players. He didn’t like throwing an incomplete pass. He wouldn’t let himself,” Keller said. “I had to prepare as well, as far as completing balls, being a good manager of this offense. A lot of my improvement as a quarterback is due to him.”

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