2008 Woodie Awards
FOOTBALL: Rivals vie to become league's premier player
Opposing coaches share their opinions on whether Nate Davis or Dan LeFevour is more likely to become the next great MAC quarterback
Ryan Wood
Judging from the reaction Nate Davis and Dan LeFevour received at the Mid-American Conference Media Day, there's little doubt the quarterback duo has separated themselves from other quality players in the league.
Throughout the 90-minute time slot designated for coaches and players in the West Division to speak with newspaper reporters, the two MAC quarterbacks continuously answered questions regarding a bevy of issues. With hardly a breath in between each interview, the scene was further evidence the two headliners in the conference during the past couple seasons are only getting more popular.
"Both of them give me nightmares and keep me up at night," Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said. "I'd rather prepare for any team that doesn't have either one of those two guys on it. There are a lot of good players in this conference, but I think these two are clearly two of the best the MAC has to offer."
Davis and LeFevour's ascension to the top of the MAC came on the wings of strong statistical years for both quarterbacks last season. The duo placed first and second in four statistical categories, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. Bowling Green's Tyler Sheehan was third in yards and touchdowns, but almost 400 yards and four touchdowns between either of them.
As the two players' status has increased, the question of who is the better quarterback has become a passionate discussion between fans that follow the league. It's a question that's difficult to answer given the vast differences in how they approach the game.
Davis has made a name for himself using his arm, which Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk called one of the strongest in the nation. Utilizing two of the better receiving threats in college football - receiver Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill - Davis set Ball State's single-season school record with 3,667 passing yards, almost 1,300 more than the previous mark. He also broke his own single-season record with 30 touchdown passes, 12 more than he threw as a freshman.
Throughout the 90-minute time slot designated for coaches and players in the West Division to speak with newspaper reporters, the two MAC quarterbacks continuously answered questions regarding a bevy of issues. With hardly a breath in between each interview, the scene was further evidence the two headliners in the conference during the past couple seasons are only getting more popular.
"Both of them give me nightmares and keep me up at night," Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said. "I'd rather prepare for any team that doesn't have either one of those two guys on it. There are a lot of good players in this conference, but I think these two are clearly two of the best the MAC has to offer."
Davis and LeFevour's ascension to the top of the MAC came on the wings of strong statistical years for both quarterbacks last season. The duo placed first and second in four statistical categories, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. Bowling Green's Tyler Sheehan was third in yards and touchdowns, but almost 400 yards and four touchdowns between either of them.
As the two players' status has increased, the question of who is the better quarterback has become a passionate discussion between fans that follow the league. It's a question that's difficult to answer given the vast differences in how they approach the game.
Davis has made a name for himself using his arm, which Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk called one of the strongest in the nation. Utilizing two of the better receiving threats in college football - receiver Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill - Davis set Ball State's single-season school record with 3,667 passing yards, almost 1,300 more than the previous mark. He also broke his own single-season record with 30 touchdown passes, 12 more than he threw as a freshman.
Be the first to comment on this story