CSU’s QB competition produces good results
Coach Bobo says any of three would be capable
FORT COLLINS» A first-year starter isn’t supposed to be perfect.
Especially not at quarterback, the position in football that draws the most praise and criticism, at least from the outside.
Inside the quarterbacks’ room, it’s a bit different. It is recognized when a receiver runs a bad route or simply gives up on one. It’s also known if the quarterback’s eyes were in the wrong spot.
To be fair, Nick Stevens’ debut at the Colorado State starter last season wasn’t bad. It wasn’t great, and some folks had a hard time forgetting he was replacing the Mountain West offensive player of the year in Garrett Grayson, a third-round pick in the NFL draft.
Stevens was also taking the reins under a new coaching staff and a new offensive system.
He still earned second-team all-Mountain West honors, throwing for a CSU sophomore record 2,679 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
It wasn’t a bad season. It was also clear that heading into this fall, he has to be better.
Well, somebody has to do better, be it Stevens, Faton Bauta or Collin Hill, as CSU coach Mike Bobo keeps his decision on the starter within the program’s walls.
Bauta, a graduate transfer from Georgia, was brought in to spark competition at the position Bobo felt was lacking last season. Hill, who showed up early for spring camp, was recruited for the physical gifts he has put on display in camp.
“It’s been a really good competition,” Bobo said. “I’m still looking at a few things to figure out what direction we want to go. I feel like those three guys competing, if I put any of them in, would be a capable guy. Once we hit on Sunday, it will be a true pecking order. I won’t announce it, but the guys will know. They’ll know and the team will know.”
Bobo has said many times before he wants a leader, one who the 10 other guys in the huddle will follow, as well as the 60-plus teammates on the sideline. And, most definitely after last year, he has to protect the ball.
Stevens was keenly aware of the checklist, and he went to work. He has a leg up on the competition after starting all 13 games last season, but he had no guarantees. He had to improve his game across the board, and he thinks he has achieved that goal. In fact, he said he will have no regrets when the decision is made.
“Compared to last year at this time, light years better, I think. I feel like I’m a much better quarterback even since fall camp started,” Stevens said. “I’ve just progressed every step along the way from last spring, last fall camp, the season, and now spring, summer and fall camp all over again. Compared to last season, I think it’s almost night and day.”
Stevens has talked like a returning starter, though Bobo said they all three are thinking too much at times.
The changes aren’t just self-evaluation. His teammates see a different Stevens, and it’s for the better. Offensive tackle Zack Golditch said Stevens is in charge in the huddle, settles the offense down and takes command.
“I think he’s a lot more put together. He’s a very, very smart guy and knows what he’s doing,” Golditch said. “He’s confident. I believe in him, and I think he’s matured a lot, too. He’s knowing what to do, knowing what the checks are, and that’s the type of guy we need on this team.”