By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
'Now we've got to find the one that fits best'
THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State (0-1) vs. Tennessee State (0-1), at Memphis
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
TV: FSN South
Senior Jimmy Oliver's got the proven track record and magical elusiveness in the pocket. Sophomore Tray Rutland possesses the golden left arm and willingness to study game film until he's kicked out of the coaches' offices.
Blend them together and you'd have the ideal quarterback. But that isn't a realistic option for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy.
Instead, he has to make a choice that's been harder than expected. What started as a preseason quarterback competition has now spilled over into September.
"We like them both, but they have very different styles," Comegy said. "Now we've got to find the one that fits with this team and gives us the best chance to win."
And the competition between the two is basically wide-open once again after a dismal offensive showing in last Saturday's season-opening 27-15 loss to Delta State.
Against the Statesmen, both quarterbacks struggled mightily, though part of that was due to a shaky offensive line and non-existent running game.
Oliver started and was 7-of-20 passing for 93 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In relief, Rutland was 4-of-14 passing with two interceptions.
After looking at Saturday's game tape, Comegy weighed moving Rutland into the starting role, but reconsidered after realizing the DSU game was not a good barometer for either quarterback.
"Both boys were really under extreme heat (from Delta State's defense)," Comegy said. "I've got a lot of confidence in those guys that they can get the job done. I wouldn't want to be unfair to Jimmy. I think it's going to take a week to try and see which guy comes out of the pack."
Oliver, who threw for more than 1,900 yards last season as a junior, says he's fine with uncertainty.
"It really doesn't affect me," Oliver said. "I'll go out and work hard, just like I have the past two years. Then coach will make a decision and I'll deal with it."
The first day of competition on Tuesday was anticlimactic because Oliver has an afternoon class, so he wasn't on the field. In his absence, Rutland took almost all the snaps.
Rutland says he has a strong relationship with offensive coordinator James Woody, and that's served him well in his first season at JSU.
"You've got to be eye-to-eye with the offensive coordinator because he's your leader," Rutland said. "Then it's my job to take what he gives me and make things click."
Rutland's downside is a lack of experience that includes just five career college games last season with Mississippi State as a redshirt freshman. He completed just 41.7 percent of his passes at MSU, for 151 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Though Rutland's more traditional quarterback qualities and studious nature are attractive, Comegy said he won't discount Oliver's knack for getting results despite an aversion to the film room.
Last season, Oliver was first in the SWAC in total offense (222.9 yards per game), second in pass efficiency (144.9 rating) and third in passing yards per game (173.3).
But Oliver's sometimes aloof personality has been maddening for the coaching staff.
"Sometimes it's 'Is Jimmy coming to play or is he not?'" Comegy said. "I do believe he comes to play (physically) every week, but mentally (we're worried) about him being with everything we're trying to get into the offense."
'Now we've got to find the one that fits best'
THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State (0-1) vs. Tennessee State (0-1), at Memphis
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
TV: FSN South
Senior Jimmy Oliver's got the proven track record and magical elusiveness in the pocket. Sophomore Tray Rutland possesses the golden left arm and willingness to study game film until he's kicked out of the coaches' offices.
Blend them together and you'd have the ideal quarterback. But that isn't a realistic option for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy.
Instead, he has to make a choice that's been harder than expected. What started as a preseason quarterback competition has now spilled over into September.
"We like them both, but they have very different styles," Comegy said. "Now we've got to find the one that fits with this team and gives us the best chance to win."
And the competition between the two is basically wide-open once again after a dismal offensive showing in last Saturday's season-opening 27-15 loss to Delta State.
Against the Statesmen, both quarterbacks struggled mightily, though part of that was due to a shaky offensive line and non-existent running game.
Oliver started and was 7-of-20 passing for 93 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In relief, Rutland was 4-of-14 passing with two interceptions.
After looking at Saturday's game tape, Comegy weighed moving Rutland into the starting role, but reconsidered after realizing the DSU game was not a good barometer for either quarterback.
"Both boys were really under extreme heat (from Delta State's defense)," Comegy said. "I've got a lot of confidence in those guys that they can get the job done. I wouldn't want to be unfair to Jimmy. I think it's going to take a week to try and see which guy comes out of the pack."
Oliver, who threw for more than 1,900 yards last season as a junior, says he's fine with uncertainty.
"It really doesn't affect me," Oliver said. "I'll go out and work hard, just like I have the past two years. Then coach will make a decision and I'll deal with it."
The first day of competition on Tuesday was anticlimactic because Oliver has an afternoon class, so he wasn't on the field. In his absence, Rutland took almost all the snaps.
Rutland says he has a strong relationship with offensive coordinator James Woody, and that's served him well in his first season at JSU.
"You've got to be eye-to-eye with the offensive coordinator because he's your leader," Rutland said. "Then it's my job to take what he gives me and make things click."
Rutland's downside is a lack of experience that includes just five career college games last season with Mississippi State as a redshirt freshman. He completed just 41.7 percent of his passes at MSU, for 151 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Though Rutland's more traditional quarterback qualities and studious nature are attractive, Comegy said he won't discount Oliver's knack for getting results despite an aversion to the film room.
Last season, Oliver was first in the SWAC in total offense (222.9 yards per game), second in pass efficiency (144.9 rating) and third in passing yards per game (173.3).
But Oliver's sometimes aloof personality has been maddening for the coaching staff.
"Sometimes it's 'Is Jimmy coming to play or is he not?'" Comegy said. "I do believe he comes to play (physically) every week, but mentally (we're worried) about him being with everything we're trying to get into the offense."
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