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BU front and center for evolution of quarterback

Nov. 8, 2007

File photo Sophomore quarterback Blake Szymanski reels back to throw Saturday in the second quarter of Baylor's 38-7 loss to Texas Tech University. The Big 12 is loaded with talented passers, two of which are still on Baylor's schedule.

By Brian Bateman
Sports writer

Eleven years ago, the final whistle blew on Tom Osbourne's option-based offense.

The years of watching the University of Nebraska's wingbacks, second tight-ends and even fullbacks run soon faded into slot receivers, shotgun sets and empty backfields.

But the one thing that hasn't changed throughout football's evolution is the importance of the quarterback.

Styles and abilities vary, but Baylor still has to compete against them all.

High-caliber quarterbacks can be found throughout the Big 12, and in varying types.

The pocket passers at the University of Missouri, the University of Oklahoma and Texas Tech University tally unbelievable numbers, while running quarterbacks like Texas A&M University's Stephen McGee can cut their way through a defense on the ground.

Yet the dual-threat quarterback is the one keeping defensive coordinators up all night. Colt McCoy, Bobby Reid, Cody Hawkins and Josh Freeman can beat a defense both on the ground and through the air.

"(University of Kansas' Todd Reesing) was the toughest to defend against. He did what he had to do to get his team to win," senior linebacker Nick Moore said.

So what does a defense need to prepare for each type of quarterback?

"Awareness," Moore said. "You've got to know when they're gonna throw the ball and when they're going to run with it."

Last week, Baylor's defense barely touched the Red Raiders' Graham Harrell, letting him add 433 passing yards to his yearly total.

The offensive line's wide splits and zone-blocking kept Baylor's defenders far from Harrell.

This week's opponent features more of the same.

Freshman Sam Bradford is mobile, but the Sooners limit his movement to decrease turnovers.

With 2,156 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions, the Bears have a tall order keeping him under control. But where Texas Tech's line blocks by assignment, the Sooners block with power. And with multiple tight ends contributing their blocking skills to one of the best offensive lines in the nation, penetration will be quite a chore for the Bears to accomplish.

"The difficult thing playing [pocket passers] is getting pressure on the quarterback," defensive coordinator Larry Hoefer said. "(Bradford) is young but he is poised. He does not turn the ball over and he does a nice job of checking off."

While Bradford and Harrell are bombarding their opponents with aerial attacks, other players prefer simply driving through defenders.

A&M quarterback McGee is the Aggies' leading rusher, while Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson has 475 yards on the season.

So how do two completely different styles succeed in the same league?

"It starts with the offensive line," said senior running back Brandon Whitaker, who has 39 catches for 305 yards and three touchdowns this year. "Great blocking gives a good quarterback all the time in the world to decide what to do with the ball."

And for Baylor, that's an encouraging sign.

With an offensive line that gives up 1.6 sacks per game, a foundation is beginning to form for sophomore Blake Szymanski.

However, he may not be getting every snap in the next two weeks.

"Blake is still the guy, but it's that time of year when your younger guys start getting reps," offensive coordinator Lee Hays said.

Whoever shows up on the field will have to compete against two quarterbacks who are as different as their universities.

"They're both talented quarterbacks, but we'll see where they rank after we play them," Moore said.

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