PROVO -- Another quarterback controversy may be brewing at BYU.
This time, however, it doesn't involve the starting job. With spring drills just concluded, there's plenty of time for that later.For now, the question is who'll back up Kevin Feterik. The senior, who started every game last season, will enter fall camp as the undisputed No. 1.
After that, the depth chart remains unsettled.
"Kevin's had an outstanding spring. The only thing we're not certain about right now is how it's all going to sort out at No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 or whatever else," said BYU coach LaVell Edwards. "We have some guys out there who can throw the football. They can play and play very well."
Feterik did not participate in Saturday's Blue & White scrimmage at Cougar Stadium as the coaching staff opted to take a closer look at the back-up candidates. The decision to keep Feterik from getting injured proved wise as BYU quarterbacks were sacked six times and rushed into three interceptions in the annual cap to spring practice.
Though a bit battered and bruised, Charlie Peterson, Brandon Doman, Charlie Peterson and Bret Engemann survived the defensive pressure. The foursome combined for 457 yards passing and three touchdowns as Peterson and Engemann's White squad defeated Doman, Gilbride and the Blue, 28-0.
"It was a good battle," said Engemann. "Everybody did well."
None, however, posted numbers as good as Peterson. The former Bingham High star completed 13 of 24 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Engemann, who started in place of Peterson in the second half, was 9 of 15 for 105 yards and a touchdown.
The Blue squad quarterbacks had a more difficult time. They were sacked five times. Doman, who saw most of the action, was 9 of 20 for 112 yards, while Gilbride was 3 of 7 for 31 yards.
Despite the varying performances, nothing in terms of assigning back-up duties has been fully determined.
"We really would like to have it (solidified)," Edwards said. "But, I wouldn't suprised me if we go through the summer and still not be totally sure about who the No. 2 quarterback will be."
The competition promises to be spirited when practices resume in August.
"It seems to be wide-open for all of us," said Peterson. "We've each had our ups and downs in the spring."
After three weeks of spring ball, Doman said it'll likely come down to whoever gets the breaks.
"I don't think anybody's better than anyone else," he said of those aspiring for the second slot. "Feterik is definitely the quarterback. It's his job to lose."
As for the others, it's theirs to win.