In Search of a Starter
Higgins: Emporia State quarterback competition still open after 1st few days of practice
By Jesse Newell
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a seven-part series on Emporia State football’s position groups.
In his search for a starting quarterback, Emporia State coach Garin Higgins has been most concerned with how his players deal with the heat.
And that has nothing to do with the 90-plus degree temperatures.
“There’s a lot of quarterbacks that can go out there and throw 7-on-7s or throw routes on air, but when you put the pressure on them or you put them in the heat of competition, how do they respond?” Higgins said. “I think that’s what we’re trying to do with these quarterbacks. We’re trying to put them in a situation where the heat is on.”
Though ESU hasn’t yet even donned full pads through four practices, Higgins hasn’t wasted any time in putting his quarterbacks in stressful situations with 11-on-11 drills that include defensive linemen coming after them.
Quarterback evaluations have started already, as ESU heads into camp with Ben Purkeypile, Eric Runge and Zach Rampy battling for the starting position.
Andre Sloan El, who performed well in Spring practices and could win the job at some point, will report to camp on Wednesday after having intestinal surgery this summer. He’s not expected to practice until next week and will probably not get the repetitions needed to compete for the job in Week One.
It’s left Higgins to assess his other options at quarterback.
“The thing with all three of them is they have to gain some consistency. I think they need to gain a little confidence, too,” Higgins said. “I think sometimes they press a little bit. I think they feel like I’m over there watching every move that they make, but I’m also a big believer that good quarterbacks play great under pressure.”
So far the repetitions have been split evenly among the three, but Higgins said Purkeypile and Runge have emerged as the most likely candidates to earn the starting nod.
Purkeypile, who started 10 games last year for the Hornets, returns with the most experience. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior threw for 1,525 yards last year with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
“I’m not expecting anything,” Purkeypile said. “I’m just going out there trying to do my best.”
At the MIAA media day, Higgins said that Purkeypile would have every opportunity to step up in practice and prove that he wanted to be starting quarterback for ESU.
The coach said he hadn’t seen that mindset yet, but he said that the strong-armed quarterback was making progress.
“It’s getting better. He’s still got a long ways to go,” Higgins said. “We talked about it today a little bit. I think he’s understanding what we want from him as a quarterback now. I think he’s gradually turning the corner.
“I think with Ben the biggest thing is he just needs to not win the game by himself. He doesn’t have to do that. Football’s a team sport. There’s 10 other guys out there around him. He needs to learn to take what the defense is giving us.
“Then, when he gets his opportunity to make the big play — because he’s got the arm to make the big play, to make the throw — he needs to make it happen.”
A concern for Purkeypile might be ball security, as Higgins’ offense will feature some running at the quarterback position.
Purkeypile fumbled seven times last year, though he didn’t put the ball on the ground in the final four games.
“This new offense is more demanding in running the ball and I need to be comfortable running the ball. I wasn’t so much last year,” Purkeypile said. “That’s something I tried to work on in the offseason.”
Purkeypile’s main competitor should be Runge, who has caught Higgins’ attention with a strong showing at camp.
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound sophomore, out of Wichita was a member of the scout team offense last year.
“He’s a darkhorse, now. He’s stepping up,” Higgins said. “He’s a kid that’s come in and caught our eye a little bit. He understands the offense. He’s very smart, very intelligent.
“He asks questions out there on the field where you kind of look at him like, ‘That’s a really good question that you just asked.’ A lot of quarterbacks may not have asked that question (the) first three days into camp.”
Though not flashy, the quarterback out of Bishop Carroll High School said he had always tried to make the best out of every opportunity.
“I’m not going to say much, but I’m going to work hard,” Runge said. “I think if you ask anyone on the team and they’ll back me up and they’ll know I’m just going to outwork anyone.
“I might not have the 4.3 40 (-meter dash time) or throw the ball 80 yards, but line up anyone against me, and I’m going to outwork them.”
As a part of the scout team last year, Runge (rhymes with grunge) said he always tried to make any impression he could while paying his dues as a second-year freshman.
When Pittsburg State week came and his role was to mimic the Gorillas’ run-happy quarterbacks, he said he tried his hardest to stand out from the crowd.
“I just went crazy and tried to show (coaches) I could run the ball a little bit,” Runge said with a smile. “I think it’s just taking an opportunity you can get and showing what you got as opposed to sitting there and complaining about it.”
Rampy, a 5-foot-11, 170-pounder out of Blue Valley, is adjusting to the college game on the fly.
The true freshman has fallen behind Purkeypile and Runge while still getting used to the speed at a higher level of football.
“I see from him what I typically would see from any true freshman quarterback, which is a kid that sometimes has so much going on in his mind — whether it be getting the snap count or getting the signal,” Higgins said. “I think he just needs to get more repetitions. It’s just different.”
An example came on the first day of practice. In his first 7-on-7 drill, Rampy threw two interceptions in his first three attempts.
“It just proves that everything’s much faster than I thought it would be,” Rampy said with a laugh. “I just respect the athletes a lot more now.”
Rampy made the commitment to the program over the summer, driving two hours to participate in 7-on-7 drills with the team.
He also has worked to be a quick study with Higgins’ offense.
“He’s one of those guys that if I turn around, he’s right behind me,” Higgins said. “He’s a coach’s son, and he wants to learn the game. He’s like a shadow.”
Rampy came with high accolades out of high school. He posted a 24-2 record in two seasons as a starter, completing 132 of 200 passes for 2,247 yards and 28 touchdowns in his senior season.
He also won the Simone Award as the best player in the Kansas City area — an honor previously given to Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman.
“I’m going to leave all that high school stuff behind because it’s a new start to a career,” Rampy said. “The high school stuff was great last year when it happened, but that really doesn’t mean anything at this level. I’m just going to try to start over and settle in and get things done here.”
With more than three weeks of practices left before ESU’s first game, Higgins said all three had the chance to prove themselves.
And, though Purkeypile had the most experience, the decision would be based more on performance in practice.
“I’m going to play the guy I feel like is the best quarterback for this football team,” Higgins said, “and I don’t know who that’s going to be yet.”
cheese (anonymous) says...
I say you go with Runge, Purkeypile had his chance last year and couldn't get it done.
August 7, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slehner (anonymous) says...
The are a lot of holes in your comment, Cheese. Purkeypile started the season great and remained effective despite the fact that coach started platooning qb's almost every posession- a situation that rarely produces consistent results. The fumbles mentioned weren't all his fault, although a qb must take care of the ball. Given the opportunity and some semblence of an offensive line, Purkeypile could develop into one of the top qb's in Div. II, he could possibly have the strongest arm in the country. Your comment is ridiculous.
August 8, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
slehber,
I'm not sure what football games you were watching or maybe Purkeypile has a little brother that plays better. I'm not sure how it's not a quarterbacks fault when they fumble a football. Purkeypile could be good if he could get all his issues out of the way and concentrate on football. It would also help if he would throw the ball more to his own team instead of giving up all those interceptions like he did last year. If he is the starting quarterback this season ESU won't when 3 games like last year. Your comment is ridiculous that he has the strongest arm in the country.
August 8, 2007 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slehner (anonymous) says...
LocalGay,
Maybe you have a little brother that can read my post to you so that you can get it right. I don't know what you mean by issues or whatever, I've never heard about anything like that- but I do know that he was in the top ten MIAA total offense while taking roughly half the snaps at most all season. It takes 11 to complete an offensive formation, and he is far from the weakest link from what I've seen. Despite the most predictable offense I've seen anywhere, I still saw flashes of much potential from him. You sure are a testy little fellow.
August 11, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
slehber,
It's really tough to be in the top 10 in the MIAA when they are only 10 teams in the league. WOW!!! Nice try. You didn't comment on him throwing interceptions. He should go play in the NAIA since the MIAA is not the league for an average quaterback.
August 11, 2007 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slehner (anonymous) says...
Man, you really can't read. I am talking about individual performance, not team performance. Just to clue you in, that would include all receivers, runnings backs, and quarterbacks- many more than 10. For the record, LocalGay, he threw 17 TD's and 8 picks. The conference leader in passing efficiency threw 14 touchdowns and 7 picks, there were only 3 qb's in the entire MIAA with fewers picks- so pull your head out before you pop your piehole off anymore. And more info just in case you need it, the Dallas Cowboys qb, Tony Romo, threw 19 td's and had 13 picks last year- his first year as a starter as well- so go tell him that he can't play either. As far as Runge is concerned, I have never seen him play but I hear he is a great kid and a hard worker, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him- he will have his chance just like everyone else. I will say this though, watching Sloan El in the spring scrimmage seemed like watching a high schooler player, doesn't seem like they should bet on him.
August 12, 2007 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
Slehner,
All you have to do is look back to all the big games that were close last year and he would screw up when the game is on the line. It seems that he doesn't have the leadership qualities that you look for in a good quarterback to lead a team to victory. He is a guy that is scared to have the ball when the game is on the line. I don't care which other quarterback you give the chance to start. Whoever it is the hornets will have a better chance at winning without purkeypile. Go luck Hornets
August 12, 2007 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slehner (anonymous) says...
name one and say what he did instead of blowing bs. you've never seen him rally for a late win? ray charles has seen it.
August 12, 2007 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
You've seen him rally for a late win name one game that he did that in? Don't try and say Southwest Baptist because they are the worst team in the league. Winona State he blew the game when he threw an interception with under 2 minutes left and the hornets were driving for the win. What about when he fumbled the ball inside the 20 yardline against Truman with under 2 minutes left to play. Missouri Southern he threw an interception to let them run out the clock at the end of that game. That is three games that he had turnovers late in the game and they were all games that one score could have let us win the game. It just shows that he is a 3-8 quarterback and not a 6-5 quarterback. The ball was given to him when the game was on the line and he blew it.
August 13, 2007 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
I guess slehner had nothing to say back about Purkeypile.
August 17, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slehner (anonymous) says...
Localgay, been gone for awhile, sorry to leave you hanging. Please read the game notes published by the ESU football dept:
PIILE IIT ON
Quarterback Ben Purkeypile (Jr./Edmond, Okla.) threw a touchdown pass in all 11 games last
season. He has led ESU to three fourth quarter comebacks in which the Hornets have won or
sent the game to overtime in the last 12 games. He was 25 of 45 for 311 yards and two touchdowns
against Central Missouri. He was six of eight for 52 yards and a touchdown on ESU’s
final drive of regulation against PSU. He converted three third downs on the drive with completions.
He went three for three for 65 yards on ESU’s final two drives against SBU for the
win. He ended the game six of eight for 94 yards and two touchdowns against the Bearcats.
He saw action in eight games as a freshman and quarterbacked ESU to a fourth quarter comeback
win at Missouri Southern after Justin Whitworth had been knocked out of the game.
August 28, 2007 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )