Mocs QBs in lively battle

Antonio Miller was out at Finley Stadium on Friday, watching and helping out during the second day of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s spring practice. The former UTC quarterback got an up-close view of the early stages of the competition to replace him.

“The guys looked good,” Miller said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how this turns out.”

Of the many interesting and intriguing storylines surrounding the Mocs’ spring practice, none has everyone’s attention quite like the chase to see who will emerge as the team’s new starting quarterback. After two practices, Mocs coach Rodney Allison said he is pleased with what he’s seen so far out of his two newcomers, Jare Gault and Michael McDonald, as well as returning quarterbacks Tony Pastore, Cody Romans and Sloan Allison.

“The guys that have been here, they’ve improved — but you expect improvement,” Allison said. “We’re going to have some good competition here over the next few weeks.”

The quarterbacks went through a simpler, more instructional practice Wednesday morning, but the intensity was turned up a few notches Friday. Offensive coordinator Carmen Felus had the players working at a faster pace, going through more gamelike situations and making more difficult throws.

The five quarterbacks got an equal amount of opportunities under center, and all made their share of good throws and mistakes.

“I’ve been happy with the first two days,” said Gault, who played last season at East Mississippi Community College and enrolled at UTC in January, as did McDonald. “I feel like I’m catching on pretty good. I’m spending a lot of time in the film room and studying the playbook, just doing whatever I can to get ready.”

Gault, who at 6-foot-3 stands tall in the pocket, made one of the better throws of the day, an 18-yard touchdown pass in traffic to wide receiver Clint Woods. But the best completion of the day belonged to Pastore, who connected with Blue Cooper for a 44-yard touchdown on a post pattern.

“It’s exciting to see all these guys out here competing for the job,” Woods said. “They’ve all got a lot of talent.”

McDonald, a 6-1 transfer from Glendale (Calif.) Community College, said it was impossible not to feel some pressure to make good throws knowing that the starting job is up for grabs and Felus and Allison are watching every move they make.

“There’s a little pressure there, but I just counter that by going out there and having some fun,” McDonald said. “I try to let my play do the talking for me, and hopefully it will all work out from there.”

The Mocs will resume practice at 10 this morning and will also practice Sunday afternoon.