Unknown QBs hold key to conference race

Southeast is among the many teams breaking in a new quarterback this fall.

If last season was the year of the quarterback in the Ohio Valley Conference, then this season might be referred to as the year of the unknown quarterback around the league.

Several prolific signal callers completed their eligibility in 2004 -- four passed for more than 2,000 yards -- and the returning quarterbacks aren't exactly heralded.

"There were some great quarterbacks in the league last year who are no longer around," Samford coach Bill Gray said last week during the OVC's football media day in Nashville, Tenn. "I think that position, continuity is very important."

Gray lost perhaps the best of the bunch in Ray Nelson, who threw for 2,807 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2004 while also rushing for 799 yards and 12 TDs.

Most of the OVC's coaches who gathered in Nashville to meet with the media stressed the importance of having a solid and experienced returning quarterback.

"The advantage are to teams that have returning quarterbacks," said Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo, who lost Matt Schabert and his 2,153 yards.

That line of thinking is probably why Jacksonville State is heavily favored to win its third straight conference title -- at least in the opinion of Gamecocks coach Jack Crowe.

In a league that saw five of the nine teams lose their regular quarterback, the Gamecocks welcome back the conference's top returning signal caller in Maurice Mullins. He led the OVC in pass efficiency rating (147.7) and completion percentage (62.3) in 2004 while throwing for 1,396 yards, although the Gamecocks relied on the run more than the pass.

"I think Maurice being back was the reason we were picked," said Crowe, whose squad received 15 of 18 first-place votes in balloting by the league's coaches and sports information directors. "I think we'll be as good on offense as Maurice is. It's not often you have a third-year quarterback returning."

The returning quarterback who threw for the most yardage last year is Tennessee-Martin's Brady Wahlberg (1,536 yards), although he was intercepted 15 times compared to nine touchdowns.

Despite Wahlberg's presence, the Skyhawks are picked to finish last in the OVC for the 10th straight year.

"He is a big cog for us," Tennessee-Martin coach Matt Griffin said of Wahlberg.

The other returning quarterbacks are Tennessee State's Bryson Rosser (1,219 yards, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions) and Eastern Kentucky's Josh Greco (1,048 yards, four touchdowns, 10 interceptions).

"Right now, I think quarterback is one of our strongest spots," said Tennessee State's James Webster, the OVC's only new head coach, whose team is picked to finish seventh. "I'm excited about Rosser. He did a great job this spring."

Greco was thrown into a tough situation last year as a freshman when standout Matt Guice missed much of the season with injuries.

"I thought he improved and developed a bunch," said Eastern Kentucky coach Danny Hope, whose squad is picked to finish second. "I'm excited about his opportunity this season."

In addition to Samford and Eastern Illinois, three more teams -- Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee Tech and Murray State -- will be breaking in quarterbacks who have either limited or no Division I-A experience.

Southeast lost Andrew Goodenough (conference-best 2,820 yards) and Tennessee Tech lost Robert Craft (2,385 yards), while Murray State's Adam Fisher (1,485 yards) decided to transfer.

"It's a concern. We have no game experience," said Tennessee Tech coach Mike Hennigan. "I like to think quarterback is no more important than linebacker or any other player, but it is very important."

Not all the teams without a returning quarterback are expected to struggle. Murray State was voted third and Eastern Illinois fourth. Southeast was tabbed for eighth.

Murray State coach Joe Pannunzio conceded that, "Any time you talk about winning a championship, you have to have a quarterback back. We don't."

That being said, Pannunzio thinks touted junior college transfer Ken Topps has what it takes to help the Racers contend for the title.

"We're excited about him," Pannunzio said.

Similarly, Southeast coach Tim Billings believes expected starter Mike Haley -- who attempted just 15 passes last year -- has the potential to be among the best quarterbacks in school history.

"He has all the tools," Billings said. "But he has to prove it."

So do a host of others in the OVC's year of the unknown quarterback.