QB puzzle familiar '- ' -' t'O'-'Tigers- r

By Gerry Bennett Missoorian sports writer

In 1970, before anyone had the nerve to suggest that freshmen could play major , Dan Devine faced what many thought an unenviable task ricking a starting . In Chuck Roper, Devine had a passer; in Mike Farmer, a runner. A perfect combination. And once again the question in the mind of every Missouri fan is: Who will be the starting quarterback? For Missouri Tiger and his staff, this year's version of the Roper-Farm- er tan- dem may pose a similar dilemma. The candidates, both freshmen, keeps cava. are Jay Jeffrey, the passer; and Phil Phil Bradley his balance Bradley, the runner. Both have all-sta- te quarterback in high school, playing the first time (late in the gained valuable game experience, as well as a standout baseball and Iowa State game), I thought I had Jeffrey with the Tiger junior varsity basketball player. Similarly, Jef- reached a point where I could feel and Bradley with the varsity in five frey, a business major from confident that I could control the games after an early season knee Shawnee Mission, Kan., also was an offense." injury to Pete Woods. all-sta- te quarterback as well as a And according to Jeffrey, "I've With Woods out for the season with standout n baseball and basketball. matured in a sense that I know how a fractured finger, the decision on For Bradley, the season is grin- to handle the offense and how to the Tigers' new starting quar- ding to an end. But for Jeffrey, it's handle myself in certain situations. I terback has not yet . been made just beginning. "I'm not really sure wasn't sure that I could do it at first, public, but Onofrio indicates he if I'll get to play much Saturday," but' those jayvee games really hopes to use both 6--0, 170-pou- nd said Jeffrey. "But I'm just really helped my confidence in proving to freshmen. excited to get the chance. " myself that I could play college "We are working with both Phil -- "I'm looking forward to playing," ball." Bradley and Jay Jeffrey," said said Bradley. "But it's unfortunate The statistics prove it. In five Onofrio. "We'll make our decisions it had to happen the way it did with games, Bradley has passed for 313 based on the experience that each Pete's injury." yards and rushed for 174 while has had." And according to Onofrio, So while both take different at- scoring two touchdowns. In two each day's practice has been a titudes toward this weekend's game junior varsity contests, Jeffrey has learning experience for both. with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, led the Tigers to victory on the The fact that Bradley and Jeffrey both have built the confidence strength of 321 yards passing and 62 have an equal amount of ability can needed to face the pressure of major rushing, including two touchdowns. be seen in their athletic college football: "I think they've both improved a backgrounds. Bradley, a business "I hope I can prove that I can great deal since the beginning of the major from Macomb, 111., was an play," said Bradley. "Before I quit season," said Missouri quarterback-receive-r coach Dick Jamieson. And how does each characterize himself as a quarterback? "I don't have the unbelievable speed that Phil has, but I consider myself a smart runner," said Jef- frey. "And I'm pretty confident with my passing, especially with three of the best receivers in the conference to throw to." And Bradley? "I like to run, but I like to pass too. I like to think that . I'm at a point where when I look for my receivers and if they are HMD 't-j- vj ivBr VBH9RHHJBjHBBSQHflnHHHs W &j&a&jdjfei covered, -- I can scramble and do something with the ball rather than get sacked." "These kids are great people,"

continued Jamieson. "Both of them . wanted to play, but Phil did not ask to be thrown into the kind of situation that he faced against Southern California. Nor did Jay ask to be thrown into a situation like this week." But both were, and both contribute -- their readiness to Jamieson. I Jay Jeffrey prepares to hand off . "

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