Count on Mike Leach to artificially add a little intrigue to Nebraska’s Saturday matchup with Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders’ coach won’t be naming his starting quarterback for the 2:30 p.m. game during the week. Instead, Leach sardonically said, expect the “excitement and drama” of a “gametime decision” between junior Taylor Potts and sophomore Steven “Sticks” Sheffield, who spelled Potts in a 66-14 rout of Kansas State by throwing for 490 yards and seven touchdowns in his first career start. He won Big 12 Player of the Week for his effort.

Potts, who earned the starting job last spring, clearly suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Tech’s win over New Mexico, although Leach denies Potts is injured at all.

“I’m not into the whole injury thing,” Leach said.

Sheffield, a walk-on, earned his nickname “the day he walked in the door,” Leach said, because of his slight frame. Sheffield is 6-foot-4, 175 pounds. Think of former NU quarterback Beau Davis – only skinnier.

“He’s among the most coachable guys I’ve had,” Leach said. “He just continually gets better, but has been focused in on improving what he does. And then he brings kind of a natural spirit to things. He’s a real grinder when it comes to details.”

Potts is the sturdier of the two, possessing one of the stronger arms in the Big 12. He played well prior to the concussion, throwing for 420 yards in a loss to Texas, and 456 in a 55-10 win over Rice. Sheffield, meanwhile, is more mobile.

“They’re both good football players,” head coach Bo Pelini. “But we’re going to defend their offense. They’re just one cog in the offense. They’re very multiple in what they do. They run it well. They throw it well.”

See also: 5 Secrets to Leach's Success

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