Alabama State’s quarterback problems since injuries have knocked Andrew Body and Jonah O’Brien out of action have been well documented.
During Saturday’s SWAC East showdown against defending HBCU national champion Florida A&M, head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. was looking for a spark offensively.
He found something in redshirt freshman wide receiver Kareem Keye, who assumed the quarterback role for much of the second half.
“We wanted to get him in the game. He’s been looking really, really good at practice,” Robinson said of Keye, who replaced freshman Zach Sims after an interception that turned into the go-ahead touchdown for the Rattlers in a 28-13 win. “He’s a kid that threw for a lot of yards in high school, went to Point College as a receiver, came here as a receiver, and with the injuries, we moved him to quarterback.”
Big play ❗#SWARMAS1 pic.twitter.com/f5Sd9YGYVv
— Alabama State Football (@BamaStateFB) October 5, 2024
Before Keye was inserted, the Alabama State offense had finished the first half with zero yards passing.
The 5’10, 185-lb. Keye, from Adamsville, Alabama, completed 3 of 10 passes for 67 yards, also ran nine times for 26 yards, and helped Alabama State put two field goals on the board in the second half.
Robinson said getting Keye game experience was important, and his demeanor showed that he could handle the circumstances.
“He’s only had a couple of weeks at quarterback, but he’s a kid that is under control and calm,” he said. “In the SWAC, he’s a slot receiver that can throw the football. Usually, guys like that do well, so we knew if it came down to it, we could put him in the game. The plan was to get him some time. It just happened in that situation.”
