Cowboy Preview - Quarterbacks (Casper Star)

[MrTitleist]

From the Casper Star Tribune

By AUSTIN WARD
Star-Tribune staff writer Monday, August 20, 2007

One is a necessity.

A second is a luxury.

After going into last season with zero certainty at quarterback, Wyoming offensive coordinator Bill Cockhill is certainly closer to enjoying the finer things on the football field this year.

The Cowboys are set at the top of the depth chart with sophomore Karsten Sween -- who carried UW to a 5-2 record down the stretch after taking the reins -- and equally confident in his backup.

Junior Ian Hetrick stunned the coaching staff with a sensational performance in the spring game, and it's carried over into fall camp.

Even if former starter Jacob Doss were healthy, the senior probably would be trapped behind the strong-armed transfer from Santa Rosa (Calif). Junior College on the depth chart -- perhaps the best indication of how far the Cowboys have come under center.

"Based on my experience with this deal, you need two (quarterbacks) throughout the year," Cockhill said. "We're lucky to have two good players."

Cockhill's leaned on the talent of both to help with the installation of the new up-tempo, fast-break offense. The Cowboys have picked up the pace with a sort of no-huddle hybrid attack that keeps defenses off-balance and, perhaps more important, takes advantage of their strong-armed signal-callers.

"We're throwing a lot of stuff at them," Cockhill said. "Guys are light-years ahead of where we were last year and in the spring, and we like where we're at.

"We're not holding back. We feel like we've got enough experience and guys in position to run the stuff that we don't have to hold back."

Hetrick might not have the starting experience that Sween does, but the Cowboys wouldn't exactly be hamstrung if he was pressed into action.

Cockhill has raved about the throws he's made during camp and his arm strength, which Hetrick used plenty while throwing for more than 400 yards per game at Santa Rosa.

"Ian has definitely stood out," Cockhill said. "He's doing a good job and throwing the ball very, very well.

"I'm very glad we have him and very glad he's producing like he has been. He had a really productive offseason, as well as Karsten, and he's right there."

But that doesn't he'll be ahead of Sween any time soon -- bad news for Hetrick but plenty good for the Cowboys.

"Things are going real well, rolling over from the spring and into summer workouts," Hetrick said. "We're putting things together, and I think things are really going to go well for us.

"We're just trying to keep on the same page, play well, and our whole offense is really playing great."

Particularly at quarterback, which is more than a little important.

The Cowboys found that out the hard way last year, starting 1-4 and struggling to find a spark under center.

Cockhill's got two ways to start the engine now, and the luxurious life is good.