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Penn State Football: Why Tommy Stevens receiving snaps could work

By Collin Wieder

Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Tommy Stevens (2) celebrates his touchdown run with teammates quarterback Trace McSorley (9) and wide receiver Irvin Charles (11) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Tommy Stevens (2) celebrates his touchdown run with teammates quarterback Trace McSorley (9) and wide receiver Irvin Charles (11) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Iowa 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football has a great dilemma with two top-tier starting quarterbacks on its roster. Teams have used two QB systems in the past and it’s worked.

The adage of “If you have two quarterbacks, then you have none”, applies to some poorly run teams, but not Penn State football. Starter Trace McSorley is the undeniable leader on offense, but Tommy Stevens could add a nice complement.

It’s an unconventional approach for sure, but it can work if used correctly. For instance, Florida, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have seen strong levels of success. Furthermore, the approach needs to be taken in the “wildcat-starter” use.

The Blue Blood Examples

For all three of the aforementioned teams, they used great college passers mixing in a wildcat quarterback. In 2006 Florida used senior Chris Leak in passing situations and some freshman scrambler named Tim Tebow to win a national title. Tebow came in during short yardage and red zone plays to add another element.

Oklahoma went with the Landry Jones-Blake Bell or “Belldozer” combo. In two years (2011-2012), the Sooners went 20-6 and averaged almost 500 yards per game. Oklahoma State saw similar success in 2015 with Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh. The Cowboys went 10-3 as well and put up big numbers.

Why it could work

All three teams worked in an added package for those three quarterbacks and it worked. In addition, quarterback controversies weren’t abound at those schools, because they handled it well. All three programs made it clear who the starter was. Penn State football has done that with McSorley, but it can benefit from using backup Tommy Stevens as well.

With his 6-foot-4, 224-pound frame, he could be used in a similar fashion. However, he provides a great passing threat outside of just his scrambling ability. A lot of people may view this idea as absurd, but it could boost the offense’s diversity.

Stevens proved he could play over the course of the last two spring games and the 2016 football season. Backing up McSorley, he displayed the attributes and intangibles it takes to be a starting quarterback. Regardless, McSorley put up multiple school records in 2016 and isn’t coming off the field anytime soon, but Stevens also proved he could play.

A way outside of just giving Stevens garbage time reps is to use him in some wildcat situations. It isn’t absurd and has won a national title.

Must Read: Penn State Football: Reviewing Trace McSorley’s Maryland tape

It gives teams two quarterbacks to prepare for and a whole new wrinkle. It can fail if used in a way that breaks up the rhythm of the offense, but it isn’t likely with the way this team and offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead operate.

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