Sophomore quarterback Tyler Adkins knows he still has more work do for Aurora University, but he put together quite a performance Saturday night against top-ranked North Central College.
It would be reasonable to assume that the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Adkins has distanced himself in his ongoing battle for the starting position with 6-1, 190-pound senior returnee Ian Luyando.
Just don’t tell Adkins that.
“I think it’s something that we’re looking at week by week,” he said. “We’re in a different situation than most teams where we have two guys that can go in and take over and be that guy.
“Whoever is hot is playing.”
Adkins was a bright spot for AU during a 48-21 loss at Spartan Athletic Park in Montgomery. He completed 22 of 40 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. Luyando attempted only one pass.
Luyando certainly has the resume for AU (1-1). He led the Spartans last season to a 10-0 record and was named the NACC’s offensive player of the year before going down with an injury.
So far this season, though, he has completed 3 of 16 passes for 19 yards.
“I’m going to go with what is going to give us the best chance to win,” AU coach Don Beebe said.
“Ian is going to play again. I’m not ruling Ian out. I’ve never had a situation in my career where I’ve had two great quarterbacks. Ian is a great quarterback. He’ll be fine. We’ll figure this thing out.”
Indeed, the old adage in football is if you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have a quarterback. Beebe strongly feels this is a different situation and is playing it out as such.
“I thought I would never be a two-quarterback coach,” Beebe said. “I thought I would never do that because it ruins their psyche. But these kids are so close, and they are humble enough to allow me to do this, and we’re doing this.
“How long it lasts, I don’t know.”
Adkins also knows what’s going on. Last year, he stepped in to lead the Spartans to a huge 20-7 victory over Coe in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Spartans lost in the second round at Wisconsin-La Crosse, but Adkins relished the challenge.
“I think last year that ended up being my mindset when Ian got hurt going into the playoffs,” Adkins said. “I think I did a pretty good job of establishing that I can come in whenever we need it.
“That’s going to put us in a great situation — not just in the regular season, but going into the playoffs when you have to scout for two quarterbacks. That makes it rough for teams.
“I think that’s going to help us in the long run.”
While he’s trying to take advantage of his opportunities when he receives them, Adkins said his relationship with Luyando remains strong.
“It’s wonderful,” Adkins said. “He’s one of my best friends. We are both mature enough. At the end of the day, we just care about the team. If we’re winning, it doesn’t matter who is in.”
Batavia graduate Trey Urwiler transferred to AU from Northern Illinois for this season and has practiced with both quarterbacks. The senior receiver agreed they both bring a lot to the table.
“Things were different based on their defense, so we didn’t see Ian as much, but it’s definitely still up in the air,” Urwiler said of Saturday’s game. “Those guys bring different elements.
“I think going forward, it’s going to be a very week-to-week thing. I love them both, honestly.”
Adkins and AU took positives out of Saturday’s loss.
The Spartans played the Cardinals to a 14-14 tie in the second half. And whether it’s Adkins or Luyando under center moving forward, Adkins hopes the team can build on that.
“Coach Beebe talks all the time about big games — it’s three or four plays,” Adkins said. “(Saturday), those three or four plays went the other way.
“That’s something we have to get better at. You just need it coming your way sometimes.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
