newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

PISACATAWAY – After coming in for a struggling Chas Dodd midway through the third quarter of the Syracuse game, freshman quarterback Gary Nova sparked a quarterback controversy.

Following a 10-point comeback to win in double overtime, Nova did not dethrone starter Dodd. However, the quarterback carousel didn’t come to a stop either.

“I haven't made a decision about that [Dodd starting at quarterback],” Schiano said. “I'll make a decision when I'm ready to make it. I don't know when that's going to be.”

While it’s likely that decision will come sometime before game, Schiano won’t tip his hand to Pittsburgh until then.

“I probably won't go public with the decision, either way, until kickoff,” Schiano said.

Schiano has been in similar situations before, most recently a season ago. After incumbent starter Tom Savage was injured to go along with his erratic play, then freshman Dodd relieved Savage — the one time savior of the program. The two would battle every week for the start, with Dodd starting eight games and Savage transferring to Arizona in the spring.

Despite a lackluster performance against Syracuse —14 of 31 for 166 yards and a interception — Dodd was a bit surprised there was an open competition after one bad half of football, but understands the decisions being made.

“Maybe a little,” Dodd said. “But again, I trust coach [Schiano] and if he feels like we have to make some changes than I’m behind him.”

While the quarterbacks supports the head coach’s decision, one concern is that the quarterbacks will now be constantly looking over their shoulder. Their worry being that any interception and mistake could get them yanked.

But according to Schiano, that won’t be an issue.

“I don't think they're going to feel that,” Schiano said. “It's a decision who will start the game. We've played both in three of the four games.”

Nevertheless, Dodd has started all four games, which may not be the case this week.

“It’s a competition,” Dodd said. “Ever since day one it’s always a competition. Coach had told us that when we were being recruited — he was going to play the best player that gave us the best chance to win — so we know no one spot is permanent. You have to keep working and show him you want the spot and that’s how it’s always been and I know that both of us are going to keep competing.”

While that’s a typical philosophy for all football teams, the quarterback is usually held to a different standard. As the leader of the offense and the team, constant tinkering can be detrimental to the team’s offensive success.

There’s not only a different voice as the leader, but a different arm making the throw. That can hinder the offenses ability to get in a rhythm.