Nevada has three players vying to be starting quarterback
Nevada has three players vying to be starting quarterback — Luke Donald, AJ Bianco and Carter Jones.
The highest-profile position on the Nevada football team is a three-way battle as the Wolf Pack prepares for its season opener on Sept. 5.
Sophomore Carter Jones, senior Luke Donald and fifth-year AJ Bianco are all vying to be the Pack’s starting quarterback this fall.
Coach Jeff Choate says he will not wait until the end of fall camp to announce who will be under center for the opener at Mackay Stadium against Western Kentucky (kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.)
Jones was thrown into the role midway through last season as the Wolf Pack struggled to score and was plagued by turnovers. He is the likely candidate to start as QB1.
Donald played for UCLA last season and was the Bruins starter in their game at Ohio State.
Bianco is a grad student in his fifth season with the Wolf Pack.
Jones played in 10 games last season at Nevada completing 110 of 171 passes.
Donald joined the Wolf Pack in the spring and said he feels comfortable now after spending the spring and summer working with the team, and hanging out on the river.
He said winning the starting QB role will come down to leadership, accuracy throwing the football and moving the offense.
“You’ve got to compete every day. That’s my mindset. I’m going to do everything I can,” Donald said. “This whole team is a bunch of competitors.”
Bianco said he was not tempted to leave Nevada to try to play for another school.
“I’ve weighed things out and every time I look at Nevada, I said this is a good spot for me,” Bianco said. “I think I have a good shot at this competition.”
Jones said improving his footwork was a priority during the offseason, along with learning how to take better care of the ball. He had eight interceptions last season, with six touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone said all the quarterbacks are much improved since the spring.
He said showing consistency will be a big key in determining the starter.
Naming the starter well before the opener will help the rest of the team adapt to whoever wins the job.
Throwing the deep pass — and completing it — will be a focus this season.
“I want the guy that we can all trust. That’s not going to turn the ball over,” Bartolone said. “We’re going to be able to run the ball. If we don’t turn the ball over, we’re going to be successful on offense.
“The guy that can overall operate. Makes good decisions, who is poised, who is resilient and ultimately moves his team downfield, that’s going to be the guy,” Bartolone said.
He said the Pack should have a good offensive line, anchored by Jack Foster and Zach Cochnauer, and that will lead to increased confidence for the backs.
“They have a lot of experience. They play well together. They communicate well together,” Bartolone said. “They’re coached by one of the best in the country, coach (Cam) Norcross. They work their tails off. They’re a nasty group and they’re a confident bunch.”