Trial and error … the assumption or the game plan for Saturday?

It is no secret that the NIU football team is in a year of transition—a rebuilding year.

But right now, the Huskies stand at 0-0 (similar to starting with an A in a class). So, to move this squad up (and hopefully not down) the field, someone will have to step up and take control—namely the quarterback.

Head coach Charlie Sadler has thoughts on the dilemma that, once again, is glaring him right between the eyes.

“I would like to have a one quarterback team,” Sadler confessed, “where one guy is the best. He goes out and gets the job done on a weekly basis and you have a very good backup.

“Right now, I don’t think either one of these guys has established himself as being totally superior over the other.”

So, will Saturday’s opening clash with the Illini decide the future for QBs Rob Rugai and Scott Crabtree, or is that not a major concern?

“To play one (QB) and leave the other sitting the whole game,” Sadler suggested, “does not help us establish who might be the guy that needs to be playing most of the time for the rest of the season.

“Both quarterbacks understand that both guys have done good things for us. Why play one guy the whole game when you have two guys that are very equal in regards to what we do and what they can contribute to the team?”

The factors to decide on a mainstay behind the center will depend on execution, passing proficiency and who moves the ball into the end zone.

Sadler agrees:

“The bottom line is, is the club moving up the field and are we putting points on the board? Hopefully, that’s what we’ll be able to establish this Saturday.”

Plain to see, the quarterback situation has not been resolved. Saturday will surely test the patient decisions made in the preseason.