Northwest Going with Dual Quarterbacks

Northwest isn't calling it a "quarterback controversy", but the Bearcats do have a "quarterback couple."

Senior Josh Mathews will reclaim his starting  job saturday against Truman State,  but back-up qb Joel Osborn will see significant game time.

Mathews sat out Northwest's last game with a concussion.  All Osborn did was throw for 287 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Cats to a 44-20 win over Missouri Western.

"Joel played very well last weekend,"  said Coach Mel Tjeerdsma.  "He's earned a chance to play."

Osborn, now a junior, served as Mathews back up all of last season.  

"I enter every week ready to play just in case I get called upon."  said Osborn   "This week, I'm going to be called upon so I'll be ready."  

Asked if he feels like he deserves a chance for more playing time, Osborn says it's the coaches' choice.  

" I guess they felt I deserved it, and that's all that matters."

Mathews says he'll play along.  

"I just want what's best for the team.  All I care about is getting the "W"."  he says.

Tjeerdsma says he doesn't expect his quarterbacks to split snaps, adding Mathews will play the first two series Saturday, followed by a series for Osborn, and from there, he says he'll see what happens.

"You have two quarterbacks here who are very similar, and who were in a close race last year.  both are playing very well, and both give our team a chance to win. " Tjeerdsma says.

"It also makes it a little bit more competitive at practice, and that's good."

Northwest Hosts Truman Saturday at 1pm

Tight End Mike Peterson will also return to the starting lineup after sitting out last week with a concussion.