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January 26, 2012

ISU not without options at quarterback

Craig Pearson The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — With the graduation of Ronnie Fouch, Indiana State coach Trent Miles has a big hole to fill at quarterback for the 2012 season.

With Western Michigan transfer Mike Perish and Citrus College junior college product Blake Loncar, Miles has capable options ready to compete for the starting job. Both men are on campus for the spring semester, and will get a jumpstart on learning the offense when spring workouts begin near the beginning of April.

Former Northview standout Trent Lancaster is also in the fold at quarterback. He’s enrolled full time now and ready to join the Sycamores for spring practice, Miles said. Another transfer, J.D. Pride, could also be a wildcat formation option for the Sycamores. The 6-foot-1, 202 pounder was recruited to play quarterback at Minnesota but was moved to wide receiver last season. Miles said he’ll have a chance to play receiver, return kicks and be a wildcat option.

“He’s a good athlete. Good size and speed. Brings athleticism,” Miles said.

Perish will have three years of eligiblity remaining in his college career after redshirting one year at Western Michigan and finding himself stuck at third on the depth chart.

“Excellent size. Strong arm. Very intelligent QB, knows where to go with the ball,” ISU coach Trent Miles said. “Been in a system for two seasons at Western Michigan, who does a good job of throwing it around.”

Perish was also a Class 8A state runner-up quarterback at Marist High School in Chicago. Perish threw for 3,385 yards and 37 touchdowns during his senior season, leading his team to 11 wins, the most for the program since 1986.

WMU head coach Bill Cubit was happy to help Perish find a new college home.

“We were actually heavily involved with the process,” Cubit told www.mlive.com. “He had a lot of opportunities. I absolutely love Mike Perish. Last year he was thinking about leaving, figured he’d give it one more shot [and] spring ball really helped him out. But he had a lot of opportunities to go to a lot of different spots.

“Sometimes with transfers, you’re trying to get rid of kids who can’t play. That was not the case with him. He’s a great kid. He’s going to be a great quarterback where he’s going.”

Miles had a chance to watch Perish on film, and he likes what he sees.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Bill, I trust him. I respect what he’s doing. He gave me a lot of film to watch of him,” Miles said. “Seeing him operate in practice and seeing [film of] him play in a game, I know he can do the job. He’s done it. I’ve seen him perform under fire.”

As for the 6-5, 230-pound Loncar, Miles has another legit option who is excited to join the Sycamores. Loncar was a record-setting quarterback for Citrus College, throwing for 2,241 yards and 21 touchdowns in eight games. He suffered a broken bone in his foot that kept him out of some action, and, according to Citrus College coach Mike Ponciano, might have kept him from playing at a Football Bowl Championship school.

“He’ll make every throw any coordinator wants his QB to make, he can make that throw,” Ponciano said. “Our success rode on his shoulders. That’s the way we wanted it. We won our conference out here. Without him, we would have been really bad. He ended up playing great.”

Ponciano said it worked out well for Loncar, who completed 198-of-331 passes (59.8 percent) while setting school records for yardage and touchdowns in a game and season. He improved from 50.8 percent passing as a freshman, when he totaled 1,550 yards.

“[He had] a lot of Division I-A interest,” Ponciano said. “It worked out best for everybody. I’m sure his injury had something to do with it. I’m sure he'll recover 100 percent. He’s got a burning desire to be a great quarterback.”

Loncar has been on a mission to learn the Sycamores’ pro-style offense since his arrival. At Citrus, the offensive system was a shotgun attack that he said is basically the “Air Raid” offense that Mike Leach ran at Texas Tech.

“I’m more of a pro style QB, they run the offense that fits me best. That’s definitely a big plus,” said Loncar, who is also excited about the established running game the Sycamores have with Shakir Bell, ready to return for his junior year. “I’m really excited. It’s nice being able to hand the ball off and watch a guy run. That sets up some things, creates some openings … play-action.”

To learn the Sycamores’ plays, Loncar and Perish have been watching as much film as possible of the 2011 Sycamores.

“I sit down three hours each day with [ISU quarterbacks] coach [Dave] Telford, we’ve been watching these past year’s games. Going through the entire game, looking at all the plays. Looking at certain scenarios,” Loncar said. “I’m getting used to the terminology.”

Miles is optimistic about Loncar’s future under center.

“Has a really big arm. He can throw it all over the field. He’s 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. He can throw it around,” Miles said. “His arm strength is really good. He can sit in that pocket and make all the throws.”

The 20-year-old Loncar was not highly recruited out of high school. One reason was that he only had the chance to start one year at Los Osos High School in Alta Loma, Calif. The starter ahead of him was UCLA’s Richard Brehaut, who was the Bruins’ starter before breaking his leg this past fall.

“It was a huge benefit to work with [Brehaut] during high school, the guy that has the talent to play at a Pac-10 school,” Loncar said. “I always liked to compare myself to him throughout drills and practice. A great person to compete with.”

Ponciano thinks Loncar could just now be coming into his own.

“Blake’s been patient. He works really hard. In the offseason, no one outworks the guy,” Ponciano said. “He led the workouts as if he was an offensive coordinator. He’s a guy that flew under the radar. Down the road, don’t be surprised to see him in a camp.”

With eight out of 11 starters returning on offense, Loncar or Perish will be stepping into an offense that has the potential to be one of the best in the nation.

“I feel competition always brings out the best in people,” Loncar said. “There's nothing like having another guy who's a good quarterback to push me. I always have to be on top of my game.”

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