Johnson, Lazzaro make case for backup quarterback job during spring game
At most Division I college football programs, quarterbacks battle for the starting job. At Central Michigan, the designation "QB2" is a goal for several quarterbacks.
With record-setting senior Cooper Rush set to return to the helm for the Chippewas, those below him in the pecking order are battling for the backup job.
Redshirt freshman Jake Johnson and sophomore Tommy Lazzaro quarterbacked the Gold and Maroon teams, respectively, during the 2016 spring game. Johnson's Gold team won 21-7.
“We really need to evaluate that second quarterback position," said Head Coach John Bonamego. "That’s an ongoing battle and it’s a great opportunity for both of those guys to get in and get some plays.”
Johnson was 10-of-13 for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Brandon Childress for the last play of the game. He also had a 14-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Jamil Sabbagh.
“I thought I did pretty well," Johnson said. "I missed a couple throws, but overall I’m just coming out here, trying to get better and lead the team to victory.”
Johnson redshirted behind Rush last season after starring at DeWitt High School. The Detroit Free Press gave him All-State honorable mention honors in 2014.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time," Johnson said. "It feels weird being back out on the field after about a year and a half since I played my last game.”
Lazzaro was 5-of-15 for 77 yards, but he threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Damon Terry — which was Lazzaro's final pass of the game. He did not complete his first pass until 2:35 left in the first quarter.
Getting the ball up in the air was difficult, Lazzaro said. He added he struggled all game.
“At this level, you don’t have time to be indecisive," Lazzaro said. "You've got to make plays when they’re available and I didn’t really do a good job of that today, but I’m going to work on that. I’m going to get better.”
Bonamego said he thought Johnson did a better job in terms of keeping his eyes down the field and delivering timely throws. He said he liked Lazzaro's throw to Terry at the end of the game.
“Both are really young in terms of playing experience," Bonamego said. "It’s great to have them get this opportunity and experience of being under center in a controlled setting, but one that is still (simulated).”
Lazzaro arrived at CMU in January from Dodge City Community College in Kansas. Last season, he led the Conquistadors to a 9-3 record and a Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference title.
“At junior college, there’s a lot of people who are really athletic," Lazzaro said. "Everyone’s good here. There’s no one who’s really slacking on the field. In junior college, you could kind of just pick on one dude the whole game. Here, everything’s got to work perfectly for the game plan to work.”
Lazzaro said it was a struggle early on in spring practice to learn the offense, which he called "complex." He said he is picking it up.
Johnson said he has an edge by being in the system for a full season.
“The offense isn’t easy," Johnson said. "Getting better at learning the plays is going to help you a lot on the field.”
Lazzaro and Johnson both said Johnson is better in terms of moving his feet and staying in the pocket. Lazzaro said he has a livelier arm than Johnson.
Senior defensive lineman Joe Ostman said the defense tries to make it tough on quarterbacks in practice to help them improve.
"Until gameday, they’re going against us (on defense)," Ostman said. "We do take a lot of pride in giving them a tough time and making it as difficult on them as we can so it makes them better."
Both players said they appreciate the tutelage of Rush, who set a CMU single season record with 3,848 yards thrown last season.
Lazzaro said he has to get better in the summer if he wants to even compete for the second job, but added there is no hatred between him and Johnson.
“We’re helping each other," Lazzaro said. "We just want to see the best man get the second job. There’s no hostility between us. We’re boys.”
Bonamego will not "anoint" a backup until the fall, when incoming freshmen Tony Poljan and Austin Hergott arrive to camp.
Right now, the competition is between Johnson and Lazzaro.
“We just push each other to get better and we’re going to see who gets that backup spot," Johnson said.
