Why are we so obsessed about backup quarterbacks?
Football has one constant: Everyone has an interest in the backup quarterbacks — from Pop Warner to the NFL.
In Oklahoma’s case Saturday night, that was evident in the Sooners’ 70-14 blowout victory over South Dakota. From the moment Jalen Hurts stepped out of the transfer portal, faithful fans knew then that OU’s second game would be a time to get a look at Hurts’ successor.
Would it be Tanner Mordecai, the Texan with the throwback name? Or it would be Spencer Rattler, the Arizona teen with the dynamic name?
It’s probably why some of the crowd at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium stuck around so long. Sometime in the third quarter, Mordecai spelled Hurts. Then in the fourth quarter, Rattler finished out the game.
You can bet the talk at The Mont was on who performed best. I know that was the talk on social media. Of course, you can’t base who made the biggest impression based on one game in which the opponent had already started loading the team bus.
Mordecai completed 6 of 8 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Rattler was 4-for-4 for 50 yards and a touchdown and looked good running the ball.
This early in the evaluation, it appears that Mordecai will be the backup. Fox Sports announcers Ron Thulin and Gary Reasons, who saw Mordecai perform in practice raved about the redshirt freshman.
Rattler had a certain sleek, coolness about him, drawing this reaction from CeeDee Lamb: “A lot of the hype he had coming into college is all true. He’s a baller. He knows what he is doing.”
Mordecai might be long-term backup answer this season. Rattler might be used for four appearances, then possibly redshirted unless something happens to Hurts and a second-teamer is needed to back Mordecai.
If Rattler fulfills the hype, it’s doubtful he’ll be in Norman for his full eligibility.
I’ve fallen into that backup quarterback discussion as well. As early as 1972, I was bummed that Kerry Jackson wouldn’t take over Dave Robertson.
I’ve fallen into that backup quarterback discussion as well. As early as 1972, I was bummed that Kerry Jackson wouldn’t take over Dave Robertson.
On WWLS, discussion moved past Lamb’s 144-yard game, the defense’s turnovers and Hurts’ 306 yards of total offense. It’s hard to determine whether Sports Animal hosts Al Eschbach or Jim Traber were typically annoyed at callers or the rabbit-hole subject of backup quarterbacks.
I’ve fallen into that backup quarterback discussion as well. As early as 1972, I was bummed that Kerry Jackson wouldn’t take over Dave Robertson.
Over the years, I’d wondered whether Dean Blevins, Kelly Phelps, Eric Mitchel, Charles Thompson, Garrick McGee, Paul Thompson, Pat Fletcher, Nate Hybl or Blake Bell would be better than the starter.
With two games behind us, this subplot to OU’s season is far from over, especially with the knowledge that Hurts is one-and-done. And going by OU’s recent luck with transfers, you never know who’ll step out of next season’s transfer portal.
Right now, it’s down to Mordecai and Rattler. And that’s OK. It will be an interesting battle in the spring.
Of course, worrying about the backup might be a good thing. It means we’re planning ahead. Isn’t that a good thing?
The Good, Bad and the Ugly Good:
The first-team defense looked dynamic against South Dakota. The Sooners took chances and forced three turnovers. The linemen came off the ball and played smart (A). The linebackers played the gaps and weren’t chasing the backs of South Dakota players (A). The secondary (B-plus) swarmed to the ball.
Bad: The second-team defense gave up two easy touchdowns in the third quarter. Ugly: Penalties. The offensive linemen were caught holding and hugging South Dakota defensive players way too often.
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