Scott Sensing probably isn’t old enough to even know who Cliff Stoudt is. But he needs to find out. There are similarities.

Stoudt was a career backup for Terry Bradshaw during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ glory days in the 70’s. Because Bradshaw was, well, Bradshaw, Stoudt seldom got into a game. But he never minded because the Steelers were winning and the Super Bowl rings were coming.

But just playing on a winning team made Stoudt a winner. Whenever he got in, he usually produced something positive.

Sensing, a junior at Catawba College, has been a career backup. Because Mitch Ellis is, well, Mitch Ellis, Sensing seldom gets into a game.

But when he does? It’s positive.

The first pass the former Ledford High standout ever threw, against West Virginia Wesleyan, went for a touchdown. He has only six completions in four games this season but two have gone for scores.

Like Stoudt, winning plays by the starter has rubbed off on the backup.

“Scott’s always got to be ready over there,” said Catawba coach David Bennett. “The more reps he gets, the better he gets.”

Sensing hasn’t complained about his role. And that’s admirable. Most quarterbacks think they should be in the lineup, regardless. They are brought up in a leadership role and sometimes can’t handle standing on the sidelines signalling in plays.

But every game, Sensing stands right beside offensive coordinator Jamie Snider and does just that. Mentally, he has every single play ingrained in his brain.

“He is a huge part of Saturday for us,” Snider said. “The great thing is, if Mitch has to come out, Scott has been in the flow of the game. He knows all the plays.”

In a 53-6 win over Wingate earlier this season, Ellis threw a long touchdown pass to Nick Means. As he came off the field, the North Rowan star was met by his backup.

Sensing’s mouth did not stop as they walked some 30 yards to a bench where the offense would meet with Snider.

The scenario is played out every time Ellis comes to the sidelines after making a good play for Catawba.

“First, I say, ‘Great pass,’” said Sensing. “Then, I ask him why he did what he did. I see what he sees so when I get my chance to play, then I’m looking at the same things.”

In fact, he got his chance against Wingate. On consecutive series, he looked like someone who hasn’t played much and then, looked like a carbon-copy of Ellis.

First, he rolled out to throw on a third down and stumbled as a rush got mighty close. Sensing came off the field to hear a mouthfull from Bennett.

“I had to pull up and didn’t get my feet set,” Sensing explained. “Coach Bennett told me to set my feet, be a man and throw it.”

So on his next series, Sensing was not only a man. He was THEman.

He set those feet, rifled a pass to Cedric Squirewell and had another touchdown pass on his resume.

“I was wanting to celebrate with my teammates and Coach asked me where I was going,” Sensing said.

He told Bennett, who responded, “Shake my hand first.”

“Coach Bennett is a real positive coach,” smiled Sensing.

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And Sensing is a very positive backup.

A key is that Ellis and Sensing, whose high school teams are in the same conference, get along very well. Not only as friends away from the game but on the field as well.

“He and Mitch get along great,” Snider said. “He knows Mitch is the guy. He’s the understudy. “And that’s the key.”

A backup who pouts about more playing time, Snider pointed out, can be disruptive.

“It can destroy team chemistry,” Snider said. “Everybody is on one side or the other.”

Sensing is on Ellis’ side just like Stoudt was on Bradshaw’s side. When you’re winning, it just doesn’t matter.

“It feels good to watch Mitch play the way he’s been playing,” Sensing said after the Wingate game. “I just wait my turn.”

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Ledford coach Dick Cline knew what he was doing when he urged Catawba coaches to take his quarterback a few years ago. Sensing was one of the best quarterbacks in the state his senior season.

Now, there’s not a better backup.

“I think Scott knows Mitch is a senior. He knows his role and accepts his role,” Bennett said. “It’s good to see how he has grown.”

“This is my third year here and I’ve learned a lot in three years,” Sensing said. “I know how to read defenses now. I feel confident when I’m in there with whomever is in there with me.”

It doesn’t seem to bother Sensing at all that he doesn’t start.

Bennett smiled. “Somebody’s got to the backup quarterback,” he said.

And when you’re winning, it’s not a bad job to have.

Just ask Cliff Stoudt.

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Ronnie Gallagher is the sports editor of the Post.