Former Y. QB looks at current QB dilemma

Former BYU quarterback Paul Shoemaker e-mailed me today, weighing in on BYU’s quarterback controversy. He knows what he’s talking about — he found himself embroiled in one himself in 1997.

Below are Shoemaker’s memories and insights:

As I have watched this year’s quarterback dilemma unfold, I am reminded of what I went through during the 1997 season and the similarities to this year’s quarterback controversy. Based on my personal experience, let me be the first to say that one quarterback needs to be selected immediately.

In 1997 I was what you might describe as the posterboy for what BYU fans wanted in a quarterback at a church sponsored school….a returned missionary, married with a child and had never lost a game from sixth grade on. Steve Sarkisian had just led us to a Cotton Bowl victory and #5 national ranking in 1996. With his graduation, I was battling sophomore Kevin Feterik for the QB position. Much like this year, some loyalty from the coaches existed with me as the “older” junior quarterback who was a little more seasoned. After going neck and neck throughout spring and fall camps, Coach Edwards named me the starter for our opening game on national TV. The opponent was none other than the Huskies of Washington — eerily similar to this year’s opening contest a few weeks ago. At the beginning of game week I was given the green light to go out and play, with no need to look over my shoulder at the first mistake. The opening drive was picture perfect…a trick play led to a long pass and completion, followed by my QB sneak a few plays later into the endzone. However, things got rough after that. I missed a corner blitz with an incompletion and eventually went into halftime trailing 21-7. To my surprise, I was told Kevin would be starting the second half. While we continued to get beat in the second half, Kevin had a decent passing day and was named the starter against Arizona St. the next week. The damage to my psyche was already beginning. Throughout the season I got some playing time when Kevin was hurt and even had my best game against Utah St. leading a comeback victory. But in the end I didn’t play up to my potential and my career was looking dim. Yes, we did have a divided locker room throughout the season and our QB play was sporadic at best. We finished 6-5, 5th in the WAC, ranked 9th in the conference for total offense and did not reach a bowl game.

So why do I mention this and how does it relate to this year’s quarterback controversy? Riley is in a similar position as I was, with regards to age and experience, and Jake is where Feterik was. But the biggest concern for us a team in 1997 and now today is the lack of leadership from one quarterback. Although I typically like to root for the underdog and the seasoned veteran, this year’s QB position belongs to Jake. Let me provide three unbiased reasons why. #1. Riley is a junior and Jake is a freshman, which is even a bigger difference than Feterik and I. If all things are equal, my opinion is you go with the younger guy, since he will be there the longest and can develop. You can look no further than to the U of U and see the decision they made with eventually playing Jordan Wynn despite being 7-1 at the time. #2. Don’t waste a redshirt year. I have never met Riley or Jake and am sure both are great guys but it has been evident that Jake has the more natural passing talent so why waste a redshirt season now for a few series of play. Fans…be patient but let Jake develop and take his lumps knowing he is the future of BYU. #3. BYU is a passing school. Other positions have been recruited specifically for the passing game. The lineman are much better at pass protection than run blocking and when McKay Jacobson and O’Neil Chambers do not register a catch against Air Force, you know something can be improved.

I personally hated riding into the sunset after such a hyped entrance to BYU and never fulfilling the expectations but there is more to life than football. It’s Jake’s turn to shine as a permanent starter even if he throws an interception.

Paul Shoemaker