JONESBORO -- Arkansas State's first full scrimmage of fall camp provided as much clarity to the players involved in its most important position battle as those watching from the Centennial Bank Stadium seats.
"I have no idea," sophomore Justice Hansen said about the progress of a position battle between him and senior Chad Voytik. "I couldn't tell you."
Neither Coach Blake Anderson nor offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner were willing to divulge much regarding a quarterback battle that has entered its second week since fall camp began Aug. 3. Neither coach indicated they were in much of a hurry to do so, either, even considering the Sept. 2 season opener against Toledo is less than three weeks away.
Hansen, a transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, took the first snaps with ASU's top offense Saturday; but Voytik, a graduate transfer from Pittsburgh, spent time with the top offense, too. The controlled scrimmage was designed to get both quarterbacks equal opportunities with the top group, and Anderson said both have "a good grasp of what we're trying to do."
As far as when they'll decide on a starter, Anderson provided no timeline, saying the race is so close that both might play when games begin next month.
"Both are doing a good job, they work real well together," Anderson said. "Neither one of them has an ego. I think they both pull for each other to do well. And there's not a huge drop off when one was out there over the other. If it doesn't separate themselves people better get ready to see them both, I guess."
Statistically, the two had days that would indicate a close race. Hansen finished an unofficial 13 of 18 for 164 yards and a touchdown, while Voytik was 10 of 15 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Neither quarterback threw an interception and both used their feet to buy time in the pocket or scramble for more yards. Each quarterbacks' touchdown pass came to the same player, too -- tight end Blake Mack in a red zone portion.
Anderson said he and Faulkner have discussed the two-quarterback system and both said the mentalities of Hansen and Voytik make it an option. Coaches have touted since camp opened how well they worked together during summer workouts, and that mentality has carried over since fall camp opened.
"I think the biggest thing is you've got to have two guys that are willing to do it if we get to that point," Faulkner said. "That's where it starts."
Neither player had an objection when asked afterward.
"I'm up for whatever," Voytik said. "I just want to get on the field any way that I can. And so whatever coach decides, I trust him."
Voytik's scrimmage was his first game-like situation in almost a year. He decided after last season that he wouldn't return to Pitt for his senior year, and sat out spring practice. He arrived at ASU in June ready to compete for a starting job that was vacated by the departed Fredi Knighten.
Most of his passes were to receivers on shorter routes, such as a crossing route to Christian Booker that went for 30 yards. His touchdown to Mack was lofted over the middle. He also made plays with his feet, taking one draw for 28 yards and scrambling once for 14 yards.
"To get running again, I really haven't done that in awhile," he said. "It felt good, I felt fast."
Hansen's biggest play was a 53-yard pass down the seam to Cameron Echols-Luper that got to the defense's 20-yard line. He also completed passes of 24 yards to Jaylon Marshall and one to Warren Leapheart for 24 yards. He said there will be some things show up on film that he doesn't like, but called it a "pretty good day."
Hansen said coaches haven't yet approached the two quarterbacks about the possibility of both playing, but he wouldn't mind it either.
"When you have two quarterbacks that are friends and moving in the same direction, they can pull a team together," Hansen said. "When you have two quarterbacks trying to bite each other's heads off, the team starts feeling like it needs to pick sides, and it can kind of separate a team. I think Chad and I do a good job of keeping everybody united."
ASU will hold another scrimmage at 8:50 a.m. Saturday. Quarterback play will again be a focus, but Faulkner insisted he won't feel rushed with the possibility of playing both looming.
"I'm in no hurry -- still in no hurry -- just because it's a race that's a competition and they're both doing really well," Faulkner said. "It's not like we're waiting for one to fall off. That's not what's happening. They're both continuing to get better and hopefully that's what keeps happening. I want both of them to be good."
Sports on 08/14/2016