"We've created a monster here. Every time another quarterback does well, it just grows bigger and bigger. Sometimes you wonder how long it can keep going."
- BYU coach LaVell Edwards, 1984
Fourteen years later, has the monster been tamed?
Are the salad days of record-setting, All-America, Heisman Trophy-candidate, NFL-bound quarterbacks at BYU over? Has BYU relinquished the title of "Quarterback U."? Has the Quarterback Factory filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy?
Halfway through the '98 season, junior Kevin Feterik and sophomore Drew Miller are platooning at quarterback, with mixed results. For the second consecutive season, the BYU offense has come this close to flat-lining. Only twice in the last 13 games have the Cougars passed for more than 300 yards. Worse, that has translated into BYU winning only six of those games.
When Edwards made the above statement, the Cougars had Robbie Bosco and were on their way to a national championship. By the time Bosco completed his Cougar career in 1985, it ended a string of seven consecutive seasons that the WAC's first-team QB had come from BYU.
The mid-1970s to mid-1980s marked a golden era in BYU football history. Those were pass-happy days, back when opposing defensive backs' heads were snapping like Pez dispensers. Back when trying to stop BYU's offense was like trying to stop an avalanche with a snow shovel.
Every year, a new quarterback would step forward and pick up where the last one had left off, and they wound up more decorated than the campus Christmas tree. Bosco, currently serving as BYU's quarterback coach, marvels today at that string of standouts. "It's amazing," he says.
Then came a drought. The Provo Dust Bowl. Not until late 1988, with the emergence of Ty Detmer, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy, did BYU experience a temporary quarterback resurgence. From 1992-1996 A.D. (After Detmer), John Walsh and Steve Sarkisian showed flashes of that familiar BYU QB brilliance. Still, inserting heir-apparents isn't as automatic as it used to be.
Of course, there's pressure being the Anointed One. Being BYU's starting quarterback is one of the toughest positions in college football. Controversy stalks like a middle line-backer.
Earlier this season, Miller almost transferred elsewhere in search of more playing time. There are few other places where the news of a backup quarterback contemplating a transfer would make news like it does at BYU.
Over the years, a passel of high school and junior college passers, stars in their own right, have arrived in Provo planning to be the next Jim McMahon or Steve Young. But for every McMahon and Young, there are scores of also-rans - guys like Royce Bybee, Bob Jensen or Brian Vye.
A variety of cruel fates awaits those who don't measure up or don't get their chance. They assume a backup role and sink into anonymity; become the subject of debate as fans cry out for coaches to give him a chance to play; leave the program altogether (although history shows few transfers have found success elsewhere); or become a defensive back (see Kyle Morrell, who was switched in 1981 and became one of the best DBs ever to play at BYU).
There seem to be three kinds of quarterbacks at BYU: The Legends, the Let-Downers and the Left Towners. For a select few, BYU has been a passer's paradise. For others, it's a purgatory. To some fans, a failure in execution are grounds for execution.
"It's the loneliest position in the world," says Blaine Fowler of BYU quarterbacks. He knows. He was Bosco's backup and now is a broadcaster for BYU football games. He remembers competing with Bosco for the starting job, losing it, and then hearing Bosco being booed lustily in 1985, a year after the national title.
"You can never imagine the spotlight you're in," Fowler says. "It's unbelievable. High school kids can't understand the microscope you're under. Mentally, it has an effect on you. It takes so much more than being able to throw the ball. You have to deal with the mental side and be a leader. If you're not mentally tough, it's difficult to make it. It's mentally taxing."
"There's 10 times the pressure at quarterback than other positions at BYU because of the tradition," says Steve Clements, who transferred to BYU after a stint at Texas. He came thinking he would be the next star, like fellow Texan Detmer. He started just one game. He says he didn't know what he was getting into when he became a Cougar. "Not even close. Until you're thrown in with the dogs, you don't know. It's crazy."
On the other hand, BYU's success is why quarterbacks want to wear Cougar Blue in the first place.
"You choose to come to BYU for the exposure, and you need to learn to take the good and the bad," Fow-ler says.
"Expectations are high, but no higher than we place on ourselves," Bosco says. "That's why we come here. That's why we play this position."
But there are plenty of broken dreams. Clements is the classic case.
"As soon as I left, I felt bitterness. I was not happy with what had happened. I was disappointed and upset," he says.
"Now, looking back, it made me understand football is not the greatest thing in the world. Other things are more important," adds Clements, who with his recovered psyche is in his first year as head coach at Lehi High School.
But that doesn't mean there aren't scars. He remembers what it was like trying to live up to Detmers, McMahons and Youngs.
"It's unfair. We're not perfect. My last name is not McMahon, Young or Detmer. You have to have expectations for yourself. It's such a high-pressured position anyway. At BYU, it increases 10-fold."
Paul Shoemaker is another of the heir apparents whose road to greatness suddenly ended up in a dead end.
Shoemaker, all-everything for Longmont High in Colorado, played the BYU quarterback game by the rules. He redshirted one season, served a church mission for two years and was the faithful sidekick to starter Steve Sarkisian for two more seasons.
His reward was being handed the keys to the BYU passing machine in the 1997 season-opener against a powerful Washington Huskie team. Thirteen pass attempts later, the keys were confiscated and he spent the remainder of the season in mostly a backup role to Feterik. He voluntarily gave up what would have been his senior year this season.
Now a financial planner in Salt Lake City, Shoemaker doesn't dwell on last season's frustrations. Looking back, his response is as matter-of-fact as you'd expect from a financial planner.
"If I had to do it all over again I'd probably go there (BYU) for the school. But if I just went to school for football, I'd go elsewhere," Shoemaker said.
He also doesn't miss the spotlight that glares on the BYU quarterback position. "I've seen what they're going through. I know what Feterik's going through. I don't miss that. He has to look over his shoulder. He's not playing as well as he could because of it.
"I think he's still a good quarterback. He probably feels the same way I did: one mistake and you're out. I don't miss having to perform every play and all the heat that goes with being a BYU quarterback."
But successfully surviving that heat doesn't necessarily guarantee your canonization as a BYU quarterback either.
Case in point, John Walsh. If there's a poster boy for BYU quarterback travails, it's Walsh. He holds the BYU single-game school record for most passing yards (619). He threw for more than 8,000 career yards. He defeated Notre Dame in South Bend. In South Bend! And he won a bowl game.
At almost any other campus, Walsh's place in school history would be secure. But his heroics have generally been forgotten.
Remember this is BYU - the house that McMahon, Young and Detmer built. Walsh, for whatever reasons, was never fully embraced by the majority of the BYU faithful. In fact, in a section of the Cougar football media guide, he's not featured among the greats. Following a superb junior season in 1994, Walsh left BYU early to pursue NFL fame and fortune. Alas, he wasn't drafted until the seventh round, 213th overall, and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Later, he was cut from the team.
After spending a year out of football, a discouraged Walsh decided his future was in coaching. So he called BYU coaches, asking for the opportunity to be a graduate assistant on staff. Coaches gently advised Walsh, "But, John, you have to graduate first."
Today, Walsh has overcome his personal Greek tragedy. He owns his own business, has a daughter and, according to BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow, is doing well after "going through a real rough time."
Meanwhile, BYU is currently experiencing its own rough times at the quarterback position.
A host of prevailing theories as to why BYU isn't churning out quarterbacks like it used to are being bandied about. How the Cougars are playing tougher competition than they were 15 years ago and how opposing defenses have figured out how to play the pass now that it's become a bigger weapon in college football offensive arsenals. Or how the current offense surrounding Feterik and Miller is youthful and mistake-prone.
Cougar coaches point to other reasons, too. Neither Feterik nor Miller has had the benefit of a redshirt year. All the great ones, they note, were in the program for a while before taking over the offense.
"We got to play a JV schedule back then and get some experience under our belts. It makes a huge difference," Bosco says. "Guys have to play a little bit earlier."
"McMahon sat around for three years before starting," says Chow. And Young once said: "It takes at least two years to be really comfortable with the offense. You could play before that, but you'd be in a cloud."
Feterik and Miller have played that way at times.
Some argue BYU coaches aren't as good at judging talent as they once were. But Chow insists the talent of today's quarterbacks is comparable to those of the Legends. "We've never had the `Great Recruit,' " he says. "The toughest quarterback recruits we've gotten were Walsh and Feterik. They could have gone anywhere they wanted. All the others wanted to come here."
There is no mold to be a successful BYU quarterback. Each of the great ones has had contrasting styles. Fowler says "to be mentally tough" is the most important asset a Cougar signal-caller can possess.
"Nobody was smarter than Ty. Nobody was more aggressive than Jim. Nobody was more athletic than Steve. They all had different physical skills, but they all were mentally tough. They had the ability to make the right reads and throw the ball on time."
As for Feterik and Miller? "We'll have to wait and see. I think these guys will get to that point," Fowler says. "If this doesn't kill 'em before then."
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Full-color reprints of the BYU quarterback chart in today's paper can be ordered for $2 each from the Deseret News by calling 801-237-7060 or writing P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.
*****
The Quarterback Plant
From Marc Wilson in 1978 to Steve Sarkisian in 1996, BYU quarterbacks have broken or tied 168 NCAA records in passing and total offense.
Jim McMahon, 1978-81 70
Ty Detmer, 1988-91 62
Steve Young, 1980-83 13
Marc Wilson, 1977-79 10
Robbie Bosco, 1983-85 10
Steve Sarkisian, 1995-96 3
BYU quarterbacks in the College Football Hall of Fame
Year enshrined
1994 Gifford Nielsen, 1975-77
1996 Marc Wilson, 1977-79
1998 Jim McMahon, 1978-81
More quarterbacks from BYU have won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award than from any other school.
1981* Jim McMahon
1983 Steve Young
1990 Ty Detmer
1991 Ty Detmer
*First year of award
In the 22 years the Sammy Baugh Trophy has been awarded to the top college passer, BYU quarterbacks have won the award seven times.
1974 Gary Sheide
1979 Mark Wilson
1981 Jim McMahon
1983 Steve Young
1984 Robbie Bosco
1991 Ty Detmer
1996 Steve Sarkisian
All-American Boys
1976 Gifford Nielsen
1979* Marc Wilson
1980 Jim McMahon
1981* Jim McMahon
1983* Steve Young
1984 Robbie Bosco
1990* Ty Detmer
1991* Ty Detmer
*Consensus selection
QB Evolution
Over the years, legions of high school and junior college stars have arrived in Provo planning to be the next Jim McMahon or Steve Young. But for every McMahon and Young, there are scores of also-rans.
Year: '98
Starter: Kevin Feterik #7
... Comp.-Att.; Yards; Tds; Int.
... Jr., 75-136; 1,055; 5; 3
Backups: Drew Miller #12
... Comp.-Att.; Yards; Tds; Int.
... So., Lakewood, Wash.
... 22-43; 327; 2; 2
Depth chart: Brandon Doman, Fr., Salt Lake City; Kevin Gilbride, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla; Mike Phelps, Fr. (left team after two-a-days, was redshirt at U. of Oregon prior to serving LDS mission); Charlie Peterson, Fr.
Pro football - Paul Shoemaker (left BYU following junior year in 1997; played with Utah Catzz of PIFL)
Changed position - Nathan Clah, (to DB after returning to program following bout with cancer)
Year: '97
Starter: Kevin Feterik #7, So., Los Alamitos, Calif
... 125-208; 1,767; 11; 5
Backups: Paul Shoemaker #19
... Jr., 22-50; 303; 1; 2
... Drew Miller #12
... 37-67; 430; 3; 4
Depth chart: Brandon Doman, Charlie Peterson, Bret Engemann
Year: '96
Starter: Steve Sarkisian #12
... Sr., 278-404; 4,027; 33; 12
Backups: Paul Shoemaker #19
... So., 7-10; 73; 2; 0
... Kevin Feterik #7
... 5-8; 26; 1; 1
Depth chart: Chris Bisgaard, Sr.; Tim Dickman, Fr., Poway, Calif. (walk-on); Adam Hoover, Corona, Calif. (walk-on)
LDS Mission - Brandon Doman, Charlie Peterson, Bret Engemann (prior to enrolling at BYU)
Year: '95
Starter: Steve Sarkisian #12
... Jr., Torrance, Calif.
... 250-385; 3,437; 20; 14
Backups: Paul Shoemaker #19
... Fr., Longmont, Colo.
... 2-3; 32; 0; 0
Depth chart: Chris Bisgaard, Jr., Flint Ridge, Calif. (JC transfer from Saddleback CC)
Pro football - John Walsh (early entry into NFL draft: seventh round, Cincinnati Bengals)
Transferred - Brian Vye (to LSU, later to JC and then to San Jose State)
Redshirted - Charlie Peterson, South Jordan
LDS Mission - Nathan Clah, Ryan Webber (chose not to pursue football following return from mission)
Year: '94
Starter: John Walsh #7
... Jr., 284-463; 3,712; 29; 14
Backups: Steve Clements #12
... Sr., 2-10; 25; 0; 0
Depth chart: Tom Young, Sr.; T.J. Brinkerhoff, Fr., Lakewood, Colo. (later transferred to U. of Northern Colorado); Shane Barlow, Fr., Golden, Colo. (walk-on); Brian Vye, Fr., San Jose, Calif.
LDS Mission - Nathan Clah, Paul Shoemaker, Ryan Webber
Year: '93
Starter: John Walsh #7
... So., Torrance, Calif.
... 244-397; 3,727; 28; 15
Backups: Steve Clements #12
... Jr., 17-29; 203; 1; 0
Depth chart: Tom Young, Jr. (17-32; 130; 2; 3); Ryan Webber, Fr.; Ryan Hancock, Jr. (left to play baseball after being drafted in second round by California Angels); Kerry Oman, Fr., Springville (walk-on); Nathan Clah, Fr., Shiprock, N.M. (walk-on)
LDS Mission - Paul Shoemaker
Year: '92
Starter: Ryan Hancock #17
... So., Cupertino, Calif.
... 165-288; 2,635; 17; 13
Backups: Steve Clements #12
... Huntsville, Texas
... 3-13; 57; 0; 0
... (injured in sole appearance)
... Tom Young #14
... 1-3; 7; 0; 0
... (Aloha Bowl MVP)
Depth chart: Chris Gulstad, So., Elk River, Minn.; Shawn McCleod, Jr., Yuma, Ariz.
Redshirted - John Walsh (injured Game 3, granted medical hardship); Paul Shoemaker, Fr.
Year: '91
Starter: Ty Detmer #14
... Sr., 249-403; 4,031; 35; 12
Backups: John Walsh #8
... Fr., 8-16; 94; 0; 1
Depth chart: Joe Evans, Sr.;, Tom Young; So.,; Scott Shreeve, So.; Garth Fennegan, Jr.; Ryan Hancock, Fr.; Woody Mateski, So. (JV)
Redshirted - Steve Clements, Jr., Huntsville, Tx. (transferred from Texas)
Transferred - Brock Spencer, So. (to Montana State)
LDS Mission - Adam Legas, Jason Dance
Year: '90
Starter: Ty Detmer #14
... Jr., 361-562; 5,188; 41; 28
Backups: Joe Evans #7
... Jr., Orem (JC transfer from Snow)
... 11-16; 148; 0; 1
Depth chart: Brent Smith, So.,; Brock Spencer, Fr., Clearfield; Woody Mateski, Fr., North Bend, Ore.
Redshirted - Ryan Hancock, Fr.; Garth Fennegan, So. Harlingen, Texas (transferred from Clemson)
Transferred - Chris Hoge (to Ricks, then Idaho State); Brett Salisbury (to Oregon)
Year: '89
Starter: Ty Detmer #14
... So., San Antonio, Texas
... 265-412; 4,560; 32; 15
Backups: Sean Covey #10
... Sr., 14-21; 172; 1; 0
Depth chart: Rory Tatton, So.; Layne Bates, Sr.; Adam Legas, Fr., Papillion, Neb. (walk-on); Duncan Farris, Fr., Glens Ferry, Idaho (walk-on); Jason Dance, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev. (walk-on); Shane Spears, Lake Alfred, Fla.
Redshirted - Chris Hoge
LDS Mission - Brent Smith
Year: '88
Starter: Sean Covey #10
... Jr., Provo
... 174-319; 2,607; 13; 10
Backups: Ty Detmer #14
... Fr., 83-153; 1,252; 13; 10
Depth chart: Layne Bates, Jr., Pocatello, Idaho (JC transfer); Justin Anderson, Fr. (QB/DB), Reston, Va.; Chris Hoge, Fr., Pocatello, Idaho (JV); Scott Shreeve, Fr., Clovis, Calif. (walk-on/JV); Tom Young, Fr., Greenwich, Calif. (JV); Eric Thomas, So.,; Rory Tatton, Fr., Park City (walk-on); Rob Whitten, Fr. Henderson, N.C. (walk-on)
Pro football - Bob Jensen signs with Ottawa of CFL (early departure)
Transferred - Ralph Martini (to San Jose State)
Year: '87
Starter: Bob Jensen #4
... Jr., Fillmore
... 144-259; 1,833; 10; 14
Backups: Sean Covey #10
... So., 132-217; 1,668; 8; 9
Depth chart: Mike Young, Sr.,; Brent Smith, Fr., Colorado Springs (JV); Shawn McCleod, Fr., Billings, Mont.
Redshirted - Ty Detmer, Fr.
Changed position - Ralph Martini (from TE to QB)
LDS Mission - Brett Salisbury, Eric Thomas
Year: '86
Starter: Steve Lindsley #7
... Sr., Salt Lake City
... 180-287; 2,247; 12; 18
Backups: Bob Jensen #4
... So., 25-54; 465; 3; 4
Depth chart: Sean Covey, So.; Mike Young, Jr.; Brett Salisbury, Fr., Vista, Calif.; John Kimball, Fr., Laguna Beach, Calif. (walk-on); Mark Smith, Fr., Hacienda Heights, Calif. (walk-on)
Transferred - Kevin Smith (to Oregon, later to an NAIA school)
Changed position - Ralph Martini, Fr. (to TE); John McDougal, Fr. (to LB)
LDS Mission - Eric Thomas
Year: '85
Starter: Robbie Bosco #6
... Sr. 338-511; 4,237; 30; 24
Backups: Blaine Fowler #16
... Sr., 26-44; 309; 2; 0
Depth chart: Steve Lindsley, Jr.; Mike Young, So. (JV); Kevin Smith, Fr., Salem, Ore.; Eric Thomas, Fr., Pleasant Grove
Redshirted - Bob Jensen
LDS Mission - Sean Covey
Year: '84
Starter: Robbie Bosco #6
... Junior, Roseville, Calif.
... 283-458; 3,875; 33; 11
Backups: Blaine Fowler #16
... Jr., Elmira, N.Y.
... 22-35; 279; 1; 2
Depth chart: Redshirted - Mike Young; So.; Steve Lindsley, Jr. (JC transfer from Ricks); Brian Hunt, Fr., Glendora, Calif. (JV)
Changed position - Jeff Wilcox (to DB)
LDS Mission - Sean Covey, Bob Jensen
Year: '83
Starter: Steve Young #8
... Sr., 306-429; 3,902; 33; 10
Backups: Robbie Bosco #6
... So., 17-28; 252; 3; 1
Depth chart: Sean Covey, Fr. (JV); Rick Powell, Fr., Highland, Calif. (JV); David Bates, F. Kaysville (walk-on/JV)
Redshirted - Blaine Fowler, Jr.; Jeff Wilcox, So.
Transferred - Eric Krzmarzick (first to Florida, later to San Diego State)
LDS Mission - Bob Jensen, Mike Young
Year: '82
Starter: Steve Young #8
... Jr., Greenwich, Conn.
... 230-367; 3,100; 18; 18
Backups: Eric Krzmarzick #7
... Jr., Fallbrook, Calif.
... 9-14; 61; 1; 0
Depth chart: Blaine Fowler, So., (1-3, 27, 1, 0); Bob Jensen, Fr. (JV); Mike Young, Fr., Greenwich, Conn., Fr. (JV); Jeff Wilcox, Fr., Midvale
Redshirted - Robbie Bosco, So.
Changed position - Kyle Morrell (to DB)
Year: '81
Starter: Jim McMahon #9
... Sr. 272-423; 3,555; 30; 7
Backups: Steve Young #8
... So., 56-112; 731; 5; 5
Depth chart: Robbie Bosco, Fr.; Blaine Fowler, Fr.; Eric Krzmarzick, So.; Kyle Morrell, Fr., Bountiful
Transferred - Gym Kimball (to Utah State)
Year: '80
Starter: Jim McMahon #9
... Jr., Roy
... 284-445; 4,571; 47; 18
Backups: Royce Bybee #10
... Sr., 33-53; 347; 2; 3
Depth chart: Steve Young, Fr.; Gym Kimball, Fr., Salt Lake City (re-enrolled as freshman); Mark Haugo, Fr., Minneapolis, Minn. (JV/later transferred to San Diego State)
Redshirted - Eric Krzmarzick, So.
Transferred - Mike Jones (to Cal Lutheran)
Changed position - Ryan Tibbitts (to WR)
Year: '79
Starter: Marc Wilson #12
... Sr., 250-427; 3,720; 29; 15
Backups: Royce Bybee #10
... Jr., Alhambra, Calif.
... 26-37; 331; 4; 1
Depth chart: Mike Jones, So.; Eric Krzmarzick, Fr.; Ryan Tibbitts, Jr., Rexburg, Idaho
Injured - Gym Kimball (broke ankle, left school)
Redshirted - Jim McMahon (following summer knee surgery)
Changed position - Mike Mees, So. (QB-punter to LB-punter in spring)
Year: '78
Starter: Marc Wilson #12
... Jr., Seattle, Wash.
... 121-233; 1,499; 8; 13
Backups: Jim McMahon #16
... So., 87-176; 1,307; 6; 8
Depth chart: Mark Flammer, Sr.; Steve Duddy, Fr.; Mike Mees, Fr. (QB-punter); Mike Jones, So., San Jose, Calif.
Redshirted - Royce Bybee (transferred from Ricks College)
Transferred - Dan Hartwig (to Cal Lutheran)
Year: '77
Starter: Gifford Nielsen #14
... Sr., 98-156; 1,167; 16; 3
Backups: Marc Wilson #16
... So., 164-277; 2,418; 24; 18
Depth chart: Dan Hartwig, Jr. (1-2; 9; 0; 0); Terry McEwen, Sr. (3-3; 32; 0; 0); Mike Heinrich, Fr. Saratoga, Calif.; Jim McMahon, Fr., Roy (also punted); Ray Brock, So. (JV)
Redshirted - Mark Flammer, Jr., North Logan
Year: '76
Starter: Gifford Nielsen #14
... Jr., Provo
... 207-372; 3,192; 29; 19
Backups: Terry McEwen #7
... Jr., Portland, Ore.
... 15-29; 179; 2; 0
Depth chart: Ray Brock, Fr., Toronto, Canada (JV)
Redshirted - Marc Wilson, Dan Hartwig, So., Walnut Creek, Calif.
Transferred - Jeff Duva, Jr., Canoga Park, Calif. (moved to DB during spring drills; later transferred U. of Hawaii)
Sorces: Ralph Zobel, BYU Sports Information; BYU football media guides
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