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Being UW-La Crosse’s football coach means Terry will be asked ad nauseum who will be the team’s starting quarterback when the Eagles open the 2007 season Sept. 1 at Hardin-Simmons University. He heard the question, or some variation of it, twice Sunday after UW-L’s first practice. By my estimation, he’ll be asked 743 more times — hey, 53 times a day is conceivable — over the next two weeks.
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A crop of quarterbacks, including Gus Almonroeder (left), perform practice drills Sunday at UWL Football's first day of practice.
PETER THOMSON photo |
But trust me, Terry won’t glare at you like you love to listen to The Carpenters full-blast at 3 a.m.
“I don’t mind (the questions) at all,” Terry said. “I love the fact there is a lot of interest in our program. Our fans know there is a quarterback spot to fill, and it’s going to be exciting trying to figure out who that’s going to be.”
Does this sound like a man who is wringing his hands over who will be the next leader of a team that went 9-2 last season and came close to beating eventual national runner-up UW-Whitewater in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs? No, Terry isn’t one bit worried about choosing John Schumann’s successor from among the 10 quarterbacks in camp. And neither should you.
Perhaps you might not feel so confident if you stroll by UW-L’s practice field over the next few days. You probably will see a few wobbly whiffleballs. You probably will see your fair share of interceptions. Not that I was counting, but I saw seven.
It likely is a bit scary for UW-L’s fans to think that the Eagles’ next starter will be throwing his first collegiate pass in 19 days. Junior Griffin Moe and sophomore Gus Almonroeder, the two quarterbacks and possible leading candidates Terry chose to be interviewed by the media, spent the summer living and working out in La Crosse. Whether or not either is prepared to dodge a blitzing 250-pound defensive end and find an open receiver remains to be seen.
But speaking from experience — I was UW-L’s beat writer from 2000 through 2004 — this is nothing new. Twice during my five-season tenure, the Eagles entered a season with no clear-cut favorite at quarterback. I was joking Sunday when I asked Terry who was going to start. But I spent many a practice in August pestering him about what he was going to do.
I had a hunch Schumann, a University of Minnesota transfer who led Hastings (Minn.) High School to a MSHSL Class 5A state title in 2001, would turn out fine. My gut instinct was right. He came this close to being named UW-L’s starter as a freshman in 2003. He rallied the Eagles past St. Norbert in the first round of the 2004 Division III playoffs. And he finished his UW-L career third in yards passing (4,784).
But if you want proof that unknown quarterbacks can succeed at UW-L, look at Matt Makaryk and Steve Tennies.
Makaryk, who was the Eagles’ starter in 2002, hadn’t started since his senior year at Plainfield-Tri County High School. All he did was throw for a school-record 2,560 yards and lead UW-L to its first WIAC title and Division III playoff berth in three years.
Tennies, who succeeded Makaryk, had his share of ups and downs at UW-L, including losing his starting job to Schumann in 2005. But in 2003, his first and best year as UW-L’s starter, he was amazing. I once saw him complete a 49-yard pass throwing to his left while running right. His ability to make the big play helped UW-L finish 10-2 and reach the second round of the Division III playoffs.
No one has to tell either Almonroeder or Moe about the notoriety and scrutiny that comes with being the Eagles’ starting quarterback. But they know what they signed up for, and they’re not afraid.
“There are high expectations with being La Crosse’s quarterback. And with that comes pressure,” Almonroeder said. “But with that pressure comes great opportunity.”
Whomever earns Terry’s trust will have a wonderful opportunity ahead of him. Moe would like to think if all goes well, no one will be questioning Terry’s choice as UW-L’s new starting quarterback.
“Once you get into a ballgame, you’re thinking about football and nothing else. And that’s exciting,” Moe said. “It’s exciting that people are coming to watch you play. That motivates you not to let them down.”
Kirk Bey can be reached at (608) 791-8414, or at bey@lacrossetribune.com
