CHADRON, Neb. - For the previous two seasons, Garrett Treffer did everything a backup quarterback should do. He learned the offense, ran the second team well and served almost as an apprentice to four-year starter Joe McLain, who went 38-4 in four seasons guiding the Eagles.

However, when McLain suffered a season-ending injury in Chadron State's first-round playoff game against Wayne State last November, Treffer's role on the team quickly changed.

"In a short amount of time, Garrett went from being behind the guy, to being the guy," said passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Chris Stein. "He had to step-up that next week against Minnesota-Duluth and he did everything we asked him to do. He played as well as any quarterback in the country against the eventual national champions."

In his only career start, Treffer, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior from Scottsbluff, completed

23-of-35 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs nipped CSC, 20-10. Because of that performance and his constant progression, Stein is confident the offense won't see a dropoff in production in 2009.

"Garrett can put numbers up, and we are completely confident in his abilities to lead this team," Stein said. "He's been in the program for over three years and he knows what to do. Of course, he lacks significant playing time, but once he plays more and gets the important repetitions, he'll get better. He learned a lot playing behind Joe and he conducts himself and the offense well."

Last season, Treffer completed 47-of-66 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Treffer will have some certainly have some help on offense. Nine starters return, including the top four receivers and four offensive linemen. Senior receivers Isaac Stockton and Brandon Harrington each have over 100 receptions in their careers and five tailbacks on this year's team have gained at least 100 yards in a game.

"The weapons on offense we have to work with are impressive," Stein said.

The likely backup to Treffer will be Jon Kuzava, a sophomore from Littleton, Colo. Kuzava saw limited time in two games last season, completing his only pass for 11 yards.

"Jon's head is catching up to his athletic ability, and we've been waiting for that to happen," Stein said. "He's had a productive camp and he really knows the offense well."

Nate Peterson, a sophomore transfer from Aurora University in Illinois, could also figure in the mix at quarterback. Peterson led the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record and the Division III playoffs last season. He completed 137 of 268 passes for 1,641 yards and 21 touchdowns, while running for 266 yards and seven TDs.

"Nate has a cannon for an arm and I have never seen an arm like he has while I've been here," Stein said. "He's figuring out the offense and that takes time, but he will certainly help the program."

Freshmen Logan Rogers and Jonn McLain are also practicing at quarterback, but Stein said he expects both of them to redshirt.