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Two heads are better than one

OSU, PSU, Michigan coaches all utilizing two QBs

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Posted: Wednesday September 08, 1999 01:57 PM

By Mark Ambrogi, Special to CNNSI

Ohio State coach John Cooper says there's a simple reason why so many coaches are using a two-quarterback system.

"Everybody that's playing two quarterbacks, all they're trying to do is win football games," Cooper said. "Obviously, if you have one who is clearly better than the other, you go with one.'"

Cooper came under fire for alternating starter Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine in the 1996 and '97 seasons. Most observers felt Cooper should go with the Germaine, the better passer, over the quicker Jackson. But Cooper insisted playing both to give his team the best chance to win.

"If you have two who are pretty equal, you play two," Cooper said. "And if you play two and you keep winning, you keep playing two. For awhile there, everybody thought you were crazy if you played two quarterbacks. Now, that might be the thing of the future. Who knows?"

Cooper will play both sophomores Austin Moherman and Steve Bellisari in No. 13 Ohio State's game with No. 14 UCLA on Saturday night in Columbus. Cooper hopes one emerges as the starter by the start of Big Ten play.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno and Michigan coach Lloyd Carr also have quarterbacks sharing time. Rashard Casey is seeing plenty of action as Kevin Thompson's backup for No. 2 Penn State (2-0).

But Carr's rotation is drawing the most attention. He starts fifth-year senior Tom Brady, then brings in highly publicized sophomore Drew Henson, who plays baseball in the New York Yankees' farm system in the summer, for the second quarter.

Carr said both deserve to play.

"We have the good fortune to have two outstanding quarterbacks," he said. "They're great leaders with great ability. The competition is intense."

In Saturday's 26-22 victory over Notre Dame, Brady completed 17 of 24 passes for 197 yards. Henson was 3-for-8 for 40 yards.

"I'm going to play this thing out," Carr said. "I'm not going to get into alternating series. But I could. Whoever doesn't start will get to play."

Carr is more concerned about his tailback rotation. Junior Anthony Thomas was named the Big Ten offensive player of the week, carrying 32 times for 138 yards for his performance against the Irish, but Carr knows Thomas will need to share the load as the season wears on.

Putting a lid on it

The rule is designed to curb taunting and keep players from calling attention to themselves. Of course, that has led to more judgement calls by the officials.

Indiana coach Cam Cameron, whose wide receiver Versie Gladdis was penalized in Saturday's season opener for mugging to a video-screen camera, likes the rule. So does Penn State's Joe Paterno.

"There is a thing called sportsmanship, and there is a way to handle yourself if you have some success," Paterno said.

However, Illinois' Ron Turner and Ohio State's Cooper are not fans of the rule.

"Let the kid be a kid and have some fun," Turner said. "I think the rule stinks. ... The NCAA's gone overboard in what it's trying to do. Exercise some common sense."

Michigan's Carr said the sides can't seem to come to an agreement that satisfies everyone. "And maybe we never can,'' he said.

Purdue's Joe Tiller understands the rule's intent, but says football is a game played with emotion and everyone should have fun. In Saturday's romp over Central Florida, the Boilermakers were penalized for a celebration after a fluke play. With no one around him, tight end Chris Randolph dove into the end zone after catching a 4-yard TD pass from kicker Travis Dorsch on a botched field goal attempt.

After Randolph was penalized, Tiller called him over.

"I told him on the sideline, 'Chris, when you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before.' And he said, 'But coach, I ain't never been there before.'" It was Randolph's second-career catch.

Running non-start

Indiana coach Cam Cameron was disturbed by the effort of his running backs in a 21-9 victory over Ball State.

"We're going to get our backs running harder than they did on Saturday night, or we might go to a no-back offense," said Cameron, whose team hosts North Carolina.

Quarterback Antwaan Randle El was the top rusher with 118 yards on 22 carries. The rest of the team managed 99 yards on 22 attempts. The Hoosiers ran the ball 79 percent of their plays against Ball State, compared to 63 percent last year.

Worth noting

Mark Ambrogi covers the Big Ten for The Indianapolis Star News. Check back each Wednesday for his latest CNN/SI Insider.

 

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