By Nick Bowton
nbowton@salisburypost.com
Neither Bryan Aycoth nor Steve Williams emerged as a clear choice as Livingstone’s starting quarterback through three games, so coach Lamonte Massie is going with a different approach this week.
A two-quarterback system?
No, Massie is opening up the quarterback competition more. Curtis Edens has just as much a chance to win the starting job this week as Aycoth and Williams, as all three quarterbacks will split practice reps evenly.
Williams spent much of last season as the starter, while Edens played well in spots. Aycoth joined the team this season and has taken the majority of the snaps.
“Aycoth has struggled a little bit,” Massie said Wednesday at his weekly press conference. “He’s thrown at least two interceptions per game to the same type of individuals, and each game they have scored off the interception. Steve has come in and he’s thrown a couple of big plays. They both have some pluses and minuses.
“And Curtis Edens is relatively fresh. A lot of times when a guy gets an opportunity to play right out the gate, you never know what he might do. Curtis threw for 240-some yards in a game coming off the bench last year. We’re going to let all three of these guys compete and see who comes out the victor.”
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YELLOW FLAG: The Blue Bears committed only five penalties Saturday, but three of them were for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Massie didn’t like that ratio ó or the fact that upperclassmen were responsible.
“I’m a little disappointed about that because they didn’t show the discipline we’re trying to teach,” he said. “We got with them over the course of the week, and hopefully the inspiration we provided to them will not create the same situation in conference play.”
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SECONDARY STATUS: The Blue Bears expected their secondary to be the strength of the defense coming into the season, but several blown coverages led to big plays for Catawba.
Three of Patrick Dennis’ five touchdown passes went for 40 yards or more.
“We did our assignment, but we reacted too late or reacted to the wrong read,” said safety Alkeem Deloatch, who played linebacker last season. “It was mental mistakes, and mistakes led to big-time touchdowns. They capitalized on our mistakes.”
Deloatch also said that the secondary remains a cohesive group.
“We call ourselves the unit,” he said. “We stick together. We’re pretty strong, but we always can get better. So that’s what we’re trying to do now.”
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FRESH FACES: Massie expected plenty of freshmen to contribute this season, and several have played well thus far.
Massie pointed out Stanford Dorsey, Anthony Earles and Bryan McCorkle on defense and receivers Kerry Hammock and Travis Allen on offense.
“Those are two guys we’re going to build our passing attack around. I told them that the other day.”
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CONFIDENT BUNCH: Massie still says he has lofty goals for an 0-3 team. The Blue Bears start the CIAA season 0-0 going into their game Saturday against Bowie State.
“We’re in conference, still with an opportunity, longshot, to win a national championship,” Massie said. “I know a lot of folks will say, ‘Man, what is he talking about? He’s 0-3.’ We’re going to keep on pushing with our guys.
“Worst-case scenario is we end up winning the conference championship. We’re going to always stay positive.”
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LINE PLAY: The Blue Bears ranked last in the conference last season in rushing yards and haven’t shown substantial improvement through three games this year.
Livingstone rushed for 17 yards against Catawba.
“We have to block a whole lot better than we have on the offensive line,” Massie said. “We pass protect pretty good. It’s just that our run attack is not as powerful and as dominating as we would like it to be.
“At some point, they have to realize it’s a man’s game and they’ve got to go out there and play like men.”