SMU/Star-Telegram

[50's PONY]

Posted on Tue, Aug. 24, 2004


SMU | QUARTERBACK COMPETITION
Mustangs see split snaps as a plus in new offense

By Mercedes Mayer
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Sometimes, SMU center Brad Kieschnick needs a double take to see which quarterback is taking the snaps.

It could be Chris Phillips, who started the last five games for the Mustangs in 2003 as a true freshman. Or possibly Tony Eckert or Jerad Romo, both junior college transfers who have been splitting time with Phillips in practice. All three are competing to start in the Sept. 4 opener against Texas Tech.

No matter who lines up behind Kieschnick, he and SMU like the predicament they're in.

"I enjoy being in the middle of it," Kieschnick said.

"It's been fun," coach Phil Bennett said. "Looking at it and evaluating it, it's the best situation by far that we've been in since I've been here."

An overhaul on offense that includes more options at quarterback than it's had in quite a while has SMU hoping to reverse last season's ineptitude. The Mustangs totaled 11.2 points and 260.7 total yards per game in 2003. Both ranked last in Division I-A as the Mustangs scored only seven passing and six rushing touchdowns all season.

The focus on offense also included Bennett's addition to and reorganization of his offensive staff during the off-season. Former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Rusty Burns now holds the same position at SMU, and Ronnie Vinklarek came from Middle Tennessee to coach the offensive line. Three position coaches on offense -- Larry Edmondson, Jerry Bennett and Clarence James -- were also shuffled.

Burns brings in a no-huddle, spread offense that mostly will work from the shotgun. The versatile offense Burns runs is perfect for the different types of quarterbacks competing for the starting job.

While SMU hasn't named a starting quarterback, Phillips is definitely leading the pack. But Bennett is quick to point out that nothing is set in concrete.

"We all do different things," Eckert said, "That's what coach Bennett likes about [the QB situation]."

Phillips and Romo are more athletic, mobile, left-handed quarterbacks, and Eckert is a right-handed drop-back passer. In 2003, Eckert led Tyler Junior College to its first 10-win season since 1969, and Romo passed for 1,731 yards at Antelope Valley College in California to show he's more than just mobile. Phillips earned the trust of his teammates with steady improvement by the end of the season.

But none of that matters when it comes to determining a starter.

"It's a wide-open spot; there's no guarantee," Romo said. "Even if somebody starts the first game, it might not mean anything. It's healthy competition."

It's also fun for Kieschnick to see, and he might have the best perspective of all. Kieschnick said Eckert is a "take-control guy" in the huddle because of his junior college experience. Phillips, the youngest of the three , is quiet but coming out of his shell, Kieschnick said. Romo makes his calls loud and "is a smart player," he said.

"All three guys are capable of playing," Bennett said. "It's going to be based purely on production."






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[Pony4Life]

Interesting story. I was under the impression that the job was Phillips' to lose, but it reall sounds like all three might play this year. I hate rotating QBs, but then again, we haven't had multiple guys with this level of talent in a long time.