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July 21, 2003
DAVID DROSCHAK,Associated Press,Charlotte Observer,Posted on Sun, Jul. 20, 2003
GREENSBORO, Ga. – The most important position on the footballfield is stacked this season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Eight of the nine schools return their starting quarterbacks,including ACC player of the year Matt Schaub of Virginia andNorth Carolina State’s Philip Rivers.
Both are on the cover of their schools’ media guides, have websites and are being touted as Heisman Trophy candidates.
The two 6-5 QBs shook hands during a break Sunday duringthe ACC Football Kickoff and refused to say there is a personalrivalry developing as reporters crowded around both stars.
“I don’t get into comparing because you’re not going to winthat argument,” Rivers said. “We both just want to help ourteam win.”
The ACC also returns Chris Rix of Florida State, Darian Durant ofNorth Carolina and Scott McBrien of Maryland – all proven QBswho could carry their clubs.
“If your quarterback is getting the job done then you’ve got achance to win a lot of games,” said Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe,the only ACC coach who has to replace his quarterback.
Rivers has flourished despite three different offensivecoordinators, throwing for 8,993 yards and 61 TDs in leadingthe Wolfpack to a 26-12 record in his three seasons in Raleigh,N.C.
He’s less than 900 yards away from breaking Chris Weinke’sACC career passing record of 9,839 yards.
“I would say going through three coordinators has helped me,”Rivers said. “You never can know what would have happened ifit was just one or two. But different coaches have differentideas and they look at it from different standpoints, so it hasallowed me to concentrate in different areas.”
Unlike Rivers, who is a four-year starter, Schaub was benchedin his team’s opening game last season, only to blossom into atop-flight QB in mid-season, throwing for 2,976 yards and 28TDs.
He ended up sixth in the nation in passing efficiency and wasthe surprise winner as the ACC’s top player in 2002.
“I’m a lot more confident in myself and what I’m able to do onthe field. I’m willing to take more chances,” Schaub said. “Thereis a feeling now that anything can happen since we had somany comebacks last year.”
Schaub needed time to adjust to all of the media attention, butnow feels comfortable he can lead the Cavaliers to the ACCtitle.
“Wow, you can write a book about that,” Schaub said whenasked how his life has changed since last season.
He’s wearing a tuxedo on the cover of the Virginia media guide,something coach Al Groh favored as he tries to get hisquarterback some national name recognition.
“I don’t mind it at all, it helps with the program, it helps getVirginia’s name out there,” Schaub said. “Our team deservesthat recognition.”
Quintin Williams has seen both QBs from his safety position atWake Forest. The senior said Rivers is the most decisivequarterback he’s seen, while Schaub makes more big plays.
“Man, you’ve got to get mentally prepared to play those guys,”Williams said. “You don’t know what they’re going to throw atyou and they perform on such a consistent level. They are notgoing to make stupid mistakes so you have to be on your toesthe whole game.”
After losing his starting job late last season, Rix will be backunder center for Florida State. The junior may have the bestoverall package in the ACC and could also contend for leaguehonors.
“I don’t think anybody has forgotten about Chris Rix,” Williamssaid. “The week we play them I tell the guys, ‘If this guy pullsthe ball down and runs you better get ready to chase himbecause he can take off in a heartbeat.'”
“I’ve got a feeling if Florida State can get squared away at thequarterback position they could get back to being the oldFlorida State,” Grobe said.