Scott Frost announces Casey Thompson as Nebraska starting quarterback for Week 0

NS_headshot_clearbackgroundby:Nick Schultz•08/18/22•

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Scott Frost has made his decision. Casey Thompson will be Nebraska’s starting quarterback in the season opener against Northwestern in Ireland.

Frost made the announcement during Husker Sports Nightly on Thursday, confirming Thompson beat out Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers for the starting job. He said he saw a “big jump” from the former Texas quarterback, citing his recovery from a thumb injury as a big factor.

“Talking to the offensive staff about it, Casey’s going to be the guy,” Frost said, via Nebraska On3’s Steven Sipple. “But we’ve had a lot of guys playing well at that position. Chubba (Purdy) just keeps improving. Logan (Smothers) is clearly better than he was last year. We’ve seen a lot of good things out of (Heinrich) Haarberg, and Richie (Torres) is a super-talented young guy. I really like what we have at that position.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if more than one plays. But Casey’s going to take the first rep.”

More on Casey Thompson

Thompson is getting ready for his first season with Nebraska after entering the transfer portal this offseason. He played the last three years in Austin and saved his best season for last, throwing for 2,113 yards and 24 touchdowns last season as the Longhorns finished 5-7 overall in 2021.

Earlier this month, Frost said the starting job was Thompson’s “job to lose,” but stopped short of naming him Nebraska’s QB1. However, he spoke highly of what he’s seen from his new quarterback during the same press conference, especially since he came back from the thumb procedure earlier in the offseason.

“I got to tell you, his play has really risen since spring and I think that had something to do with it,” Frost said. “We’ve got a lot of quarterbacks playing well right now, but I’ve been really pleased with what I’ve seen from Casey and we’ll let him keep working. … I just think he has a little more confidence, more than anything. But probably a little more zip on the ball and just a little better grip on the football, frankly.”