Griz QB position still undecided

Nine days into spring practices, University of Montana football coach Bobby Hauck said the team’s starting quarterback is – like a Hail Mary – up for grabs.

Cole Bergquist, the fleet-footed junior, is the most experienced of the team’s four quarterbacks. He started eight games in 2005 and one game last season against South Dakota State, in which he filled in for an injured Josh Swogger. Observers noted that he has taken the most snaps with the first team so far in spring drills, but Hauck isn’t yet ready to commit to naming a favorite.

“I’d say it’s wide open,” he said. “We’ve got four guys competing.”

Sophomore Clint Stapp also saw time under center last season, appearing in six games at quarterback and completing 3-of-6 passes. The other two competing for playing time, freshmen Andrew Selle and Jeff Larson, have never appeared in a game for the Griz.

Selle, from Billings West High School, redshirted last season, while Larson, a grayshirt from Cut Bank, just joined the team this spring.

“They’re all good players,” Hauck said of his quarterback crop. “They all have certain attributes that differ from the other guys. It should be a great competition as the spring goes on. Especially with the younger guys learning more and more of the offense, the competition should tighten up.”

In the late stages of Tuesday’s practice, it was Selle and Larson leading the offense in late-game simulations.

“As spring wears on,” Hauck said, “other guys are going to get a chance with the (first team) too.”

The football team has made Bergquist unavailable to the media and neither Stapp nor Selle would speculate as to who is the leading candidate for the spot. Larson did not immediately return messages left on his cell phone.

“I think all four of us are competing to play,” Stapp said. “That’s what spring ball’s about, just to come out here and compete.”

Selle said that the competition is friendly, as the four are all “real good friends.”

He added that the battle for that starter’s job isn’t his concern at this point.

“Right now I’m just thinking about getting out there and playing with the team and having fun,” he said.