Sycamores Quarterback situation still a toss-up after mini-scrimmage

TERRE HAUTE, IN (8-16-2006) – Those waiting on an answer to the burning question of who will be under center for Indiana State’s season-opening game at Purdue on September 2, will have to wait another day. Junior signal callers Ben Schmidt and Reilly Murphy continue to be locked up in a close battle for the starting position, even following the fall’s second scrimmage on Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Both did some nice things in the workout, as Schmidt scampered around left end and shot down the sideline for a 55-yard rushing score. Murphy answered with a 41 yard touchdown strike to junior Jawann Turner, as he hit his receiver in perfect stride right on the goal line.

Schmidt was in on the third score of the day, a seven yard pass that found sophomore Alexander Thomas in the back of the end zone for the day’s third and final score.

Overall in the scrimmage, Schmidt was 5-for-9 passing, while Murphy finished 3-of-7. Murphy saw the bulk of the evening’s work with the first team, after Schmidt got reps in with the starting unit during the morning.

“Both run the ball and manage the offense well,” offensive coordinator Blair Hrovat explained. “They each have some work to do in the pass game. Those two continue to be neck-and-neck, and it is still a tossup as to who will start that first game.”

Schmidt’s rush with the only score on the ground, as the Sycamore backs were held in check by an improving ISU defense. He feels that the competition between himself and Murphy is bringing out the best in both quarterbacks.

“One of us is always pushing the other guy,” Schmidt explained. “When the decision comes down, if it’s Reilly, I am going to be happy for him. If it is me, I hope that he will be happy for me. There is no bad blood between us. We both are working hard, and we continue to make each other better in practice.”

Murphy echoed those comments, and stressed that both want what’s best for the Sycamores this fall.

“Ben and I are on the same page,” Murphy said. “Both of us want to start, and we are going to do whatever it takes to lead this team.”

Hrovat feels that this competition will make the quarterback position stronger as the season progresses, and likes the way that his athletes are taking to the task at hand.

“Both of those guys are working hard for us,” Hrovat said. “They both have great talent, and both want to start. But once that gets decided, they both will continue to want what's best for this team.”

Senior Kyle Hooper was 3-of-4 on his field goal attempts. He connected on attempts of 27, 42 and 42 yards. His last field goal attempt went right through the heart of the uprights, and saved the team from having to run extra after practice after head coach Lou West issued a challenge to the Sycamores’ kicker. If Hooper would have missed, West was prepared to put his team through extra running following the scrimmage. He didn’t have to, and the team celebrated with Hooper following his flawless kick.

The Sycamores continue their work with a single workout on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. After a double session on Friday, ISU will hold its second full scrimmage of the fall on Saturday at Noon (EST). All practices and scrimmages are free and open to the public. All workouts are held at Memorial Stadium.

NOTES: The following athletes are currently being held from action because of injury: Defensive back Mike Woods (leg), linebacker Jayden Everett, wide receiver J.R. Kirkendoll (nose), defensive end Brodie Morris (back), defensive end Daniel Millington (arm), and offensive lineman Matt Winger (shoulder).

… An addition has been made to the Sycamore roster. Junior wide receiver Verlain Betafe has joined the team as a transfer from San Diego Mesa College. He is a junior.

… Former Sycamore tight end Jamie Petrowski earned one catch and made a special teams tackle in his first professional game last week for the Tennessee Titans. He saw playing time in an exhibition contest against New Orleans. The head coach of the Saints is former Sycamore football assistant coach Sean Payton. On the Titans sideline in that game was former ISU assistant Dave McGinnis. Petrowski’s position coach with the Titans is John Zernhelt, was an assistant coach at South Carolina, under legendary coach Lou Holtz from 1999-2002.