Judging from the reaction Nate Davis and Dan LeFevour received at the Mid-American Conference Media Day, there's little doubt the quarterback duo has separated themselves from other quality players in the league.
Throughout the 90-minute time slot designated for coaches and players in the West Division to speak with newspaper reporters, the two MAC quarterbacks continuously answered questions regarding a bevy of issues. With hardly a breath in between each interview, the scene was further evidence the two headliners in the conference during the past couple seasons are only getting more popular.
"Both of them give me nightmares and keep me up at night," Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said. "I'd rather prepare for any team that doesn't have either one of those two guys on it. There are a lot of good players in this conference, but I think these two are clearly two of the best the MAC has to offer."
Davis and LeFevour's ascension to the top of the MAC came on the wings of strong statistical years for both quarterbacks last season. The duo placed first and second in four statistical categories, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. Bowling Green's Tyler Sheehan was third in yards and touchdowns, but almost 400 yards and four touchdowns between either of them.
As the two players' status has increased, the question of who is the better quarterback has become a passionate discussion between fans that follow the league. It's a question that's difficult to answer given the vast differences in how they approach the game.
Davis has made a name for himself using his arm, which Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk called one of the strongest in the nation. Utilizing two of the better receiving threats in college football - receiver Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill - Davis set Ball State's single-season school record with 3,667 passing yards, almost 1,300 more than the previous mark. He also broke his own single-season record with 30 touchdown passes, 12 more than he threw as a freshman.
"He plays with the glove on and doesn't grab the [laces] - very unusual - but he throws it as hard and as accurately as I have seen," Genyk said. "He's not a runner; he only runs when he absolutely has to, and when he does he's going to gain a few yards and really not be a threat. But because of what [offensive coordinator] Stan Parish does [in providing different presnap formations], it really keeps you off balance. And he obviously has two very good weapons in [receiver] Dante Love and [tight end] Darius Hill."
If Davis has more pure talent as a quarterback, LeFevour was able to get the upper hand last season. In their lone head-to-head matchup last fall, both quarterbacks produced monster numbers. However, it was LeFevour's five touchdowns and 506 yards of total offense that made the difference in a 58-38 Central Michigan victory at Scheumann Stadium.
It's LeFevour's dual capabilities in an offense designed around the concept of allowing him to be as dangerous running the ball as he is looking down field that has made him the top quarterback in the conference, Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit said.
As a sophomore, LeFevour became the second quarterback in Division I-A history - along with former Texas quarterback and current Tennessee Titan Vince Young - to record more than 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. In the process, he led the Chippewas to their second consecutive MAC Championship.
"[Dan] beats you with the run," said Cubit, whose team lost close games to Central Michigan and Ball State last season. "I won't say Nate's not as athletic, but he's going to try to hang in the pocket a little bit longer. Dan's a pain in the neck once he takes off and runs because last year he was the best running quarterback [in the conference]."
It's LeFevour's ability to break off long runs that gives him the upper hand on Davis, Miami linebacker and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Clayton Mullins said. Even though Mullins said he always makes sure his defense is aware of where both quarterbacks are on the field at all times, he believes LeFevour is more difficult to game plan against.
"You still have to respect LeFevour's passing ability, and at the same time his running just gives his team another back in the backfield that can run the football," Mullins said. "Nate needs to make people respect that aspect of his game so if he's scrambling a little bit and getting close to the line [of scrimmage], the defense is going to have to suck up to him. The way it is now, we can just sit back and cover his receivers because we know he really doesn't want to run."
MAC coaches are well aware how important it is to have the top quarterback in the league. Long considered a quarterback conference due to the talents of former MAC signal callers Ben Roethlisberger, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, Amstutz said the play of a team's quarterback is usually indicative of how much success it will achieve.
"The team that has the hot quarterback many times has the hot team," Amstutz said. "When you look and see at the end of the year where's that first team all-MAC quarterback, that's also where the championship team is."
After two seasons, it appears Davis and LeFevour have an equal chance of carrying the banner of great MAC quarterbacks further. As distinguished as the beginning to their collegiate careers have been, however, Miami coach Shane Montgomery said the end may be near for both players.
"I think the thing that will be interesting to see after their third year as a starter is if they get the itch to come out [to the NFL Draft]," Montgomery said. "With both of those guys putting up the numbers that they're capable of, that's something they're going to have the chance to look at after this year to see if that's the best decision for them. Obviously, they're both capable of playing in the NFL and having good careers at that level."
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