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StumbleuponMiami has its starter at QB
After spending 2 years as the backup, Raudabaugh wins the job, holding off redshirt freshman Belton.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
OXFORD — Miami University's Daniel Raudabaugh is showing few ill effects from having his right ankle stepped on during last weekend's scrimmage. That's what the RedHawks would call timely good news.
Head coach Shane Montgomery confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 19, that he has given the nod to Raudabaugh as Miami's starting quarterback for next week's season opener against Vanderbilt.
The 6-foot-4, 217-pound junior from Coppell, Texas, has been in a close competition this spring and summer for the starting position with Clay Belton, the 6-5, 236-pound redshirt freshman from Clayton Northmont High School.
There was no real loser, according to Montgomery.
"I told Clay that Daniel is going to start," Montgomery said, "but I like the way Clay has developed, and I told him we're only as good as our No. 2 quarterback. One play and (Raudabaugh) might be gone not only for the game, but for the rest of the year.
"I feel good about both of those guys," he added. "But right now Daniel's our starting quarterback. I feel really good about the leadership he's shown and how far he has progressed with our offense."
Raudabaugh began the last two seasons as Miami's backup quarterback behind Mike Kokal. Last year, however, he started eight games after Kokal was injured and passed for 2,431 yards, the eighth-highest total in team history.
Raudabaugh limped off the field late in the scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 16, after a teammate accidentally stepped on his ankle.
"I think he was more scared than hurt," Montgomery said, noting that Raudabaugh had injured the ankle earlier in the year. "He was fine. He came back (Monday) and did some things. He should be full go in a couple days."
Belton, a two-time all-state selection at Northmont whose arm strength has been compared to that of Ben Roethlisberger, hasn't been quite as consistent as Raudabaugh during the preseason but has been sensational in spurts.
The opener is set for Thursday, Aug. 28, at Yager Stadium and Montgomery said his team is in "pretty good" physical shape with "nobody out long-term."
Among the players who have missed practice time recently are offensive guard and tri-captain Dave DiFranco (ankle), wide receiver Eugene Harris (hamstring), tailback Andre Bratton (knee) and tight end Tom Crabtree (calf).
"If they're not full go in the next few days, they soon will be," Montgomery said. "They're all practicing."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
Comments
By MikeM
August 21, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
BnOPanther- A redshirt freshman quarterback doesn’t get the opening game starting nod (and is compared to Roethlisberger in the article) and you immediately think he’s transfering to 1-AA? Are you crazy?
By soze
August 20, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
This was to be expected. I think both will see time with Belton getting considerable reps and special packages to utilize his running and throwing ability.
By BnOPanther
August 20, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Too bad for Clay because I like to see local boys do good, but that’s football. I would say he’ll transfer to a 1-AA school.