JONESBORO — Two weeks into fall camp, the three candidates vying for the backup spot behindArkansas State senior starting quarterback Ryan Aplin give the Red Wolves some options.
Redshirt junior Phillip Butterfield hasbattled two knee injuries but has game experience, having taken 50 regular-season snaps.
Freshman Dezmond Stegall offers dual-threat ability in the read-option game.
And freshman Fredi Knighten spent four years guiding an up-tempo, Spread attack at Pulaski Academy - and can lean on one specific similarity to ASU’s offense.
“The trick plays are mostly the same, actually,” Knighten said. “There’s just more of them.”
None of them, though, has seized the position entering a final scrimmage at 9 tonight intended to mimic conditions at No. 5 Oregonin the season opener.
“One day we think this, the next we think that,” Malzahn said of the scramble to find the No. 2 quarterback.
Having a reliable backup is critical for ASU given the fact Aplin executed 637 plays last season - thirdmost nationally - and plays in an offense where a mobile quarterback faces risk on read-option plays and sprint-out throws.
Malzahn’s staff isn’t providing any hints about who’s in the lead entering a final scrimmage tonight.
“We’re having to narrow down some reps,” ASU offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said.
“We feel like all those guys have done good things. They’ve all gotten better from the spring as far as the older guys, and the younger guys did well.” Each of the contenders had their chances Thursday, with Butterfield, who gained 268 yards in spot play his freshman season, finding redshirt freshman J.D. McKissic uncovered down the left sideline for a score.
That was a confidencebuilder, Butterfield said, after missing last season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.
“I feel knowledgewise, having a little experience is always good,” he said. “With spring under my belt, I feel a little more confident.”
Lashlee had praise Thursday for Butterfield, saying that he was “keeping his mouth shut and going about his business.”
“He’s playing a whole lot faster, doing it with more confidence,” Lashlee said.“He’s been throwing the ball better, and, obviously, not where we want him to be yet. But I’m really proud of him.”
Aplin said Butterfield has improved his downfield accuracy while splitting time with Stegall and Knighten.
“He definitely looks comfortable in the pocket,” Aplin said of Butterfield, who is a 50 percent passer for his career. “He’s a bigger guy and can make plays in space. He can run you over. But he’s very smart, knows how to read coverages.”
Most important, Butterfield has 11 more games of college experience, including action at Auburn, Indiana and Navy, than either Knighten or Stegall.
“It definitely is something we’ll consider,” Lashlee said. “At the end of the day, we’ll look at all those intangible aspects. But the bottom line is who do we feel like if something happened to our starter gives us the best chance to win.”
Knighten, who threw for 4,557 yards and 66 touchdowns at Pulaski Academy, was one of Malzahn’s top recruiting priorities when he was hired last December.
Knighten, 5-11, 182 pounds, arrived on campus in Junealong with Stegall to begin picking up route concepts and progressions in 7-on-7 work. But Stegall said dueling it out for playing time over the past two weeks hasn’t dented their relationship.
“That’s why you come to a Division I college, and you can’t be worried,’” said Stegall, a 6-1, 208-pound Searcy native. “There’s someone out there as good as you, and someone out there next year just as good. No matter where you are, you’re going to be in a competition over four years.
Athletic ability is not as big a factor for Knghten and Stegall as their youth and inexperience.
“We threw everything at the same speed as Ryan ... as far as protections and alignments,” Lashlee said. “You can’t just worry about your responsibilities. You’ve got to know how everything works.”
Said Aplin: “They’re more athletic than me.”
Stegall has gotten most of his reps in read-option looks in recent scrimmages while slowly coming around on the passing game, although he went 1 of 3 in the final 7-on-7 session Thursday.
The process, Malzahnsaid, is deducing what Stegall and Knighten do well and tailoring play calls to suit those skills, but also letting them know the door remains open to move up.
“When the live bullets start firing and coming at you, they’ve got to be comfortable with what they’re doing,” Malzahn said. “We’ve got to be very specific with those guys, but at the same give them a fair chance to compete for the job.”
Sports, Pages 15 on 08/18/2012