Ole Miss’ Masoli definition of ‘dual-threat’ QB
Between Masoli and Newton...I'll take Newton.
Auburn has faced the gauntlet when it comes to quarterbacks this year.
The Tigers have gotten the “big arm” guys, such as Clemson’s Kyle Parker, South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia and Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett.
They’ve gotten the run threats, such as LSU’s Jordan Jefferson and — when he shifted into the Wildcat — Kentucky’s Randall Cobb.
But they’ve yet to see as potent a mixture of both as they’ll get in Ole Miss’ Jeremiah Masoli today.
It’s enough to make a defensive back go starry-eyed.
“What usually happens, when he gets out one time for a 25-yard gain, guys drop shorter and all of sudden the ball gets thrown behind you,” safeties coach Tommy Thigpen said. “Sometimes just looking at it you can get mesmerized and the next thing you know there are two or three receivers behind you.”
The sporting world has a big, fancy word for quarterbacks like Masoli: “dual-threat.”
Auburn prefers to describe that particular skill set with two words: “Cam Newton.”
The Tigers’ Heisman contender has accounted for 2,441 yards of total offense — 1,077 rushing and 1,364 passing — and 27 touchdowns in eight games this season.
Masoli’s been replicating that success to a lesser extent in Oxford, racking up 1,660 yards of offense — 1,260 passing and 400 rushing — and 13 touchdowns in seven games.
Both quarterbacks are fast, athletic and can turn 5-yard losses into 25-yard gains at the drop of a hat.
Both have a 400-yard game under their belt, with Newton going off for 408 in the win over Kentucky and Masoli accounting for 425 in last week’s loss to Arkansas.
Both even have worked through off-field issues, Newton with the stolen laptop he bought and Masoli with the two brushes with the law in six months that precipitated his dismissal from Oregon.
And neither has wasted much time making his impact felt on his new team.
“(Masoli’s an elusive guy and he’s a guy that’s fun to watch also,” Newton said. “Just with what he can do, it’s scary for defenders and for me just looking at it on the field.”
To get Masoli off his game, it’s going to fall to the defensive ends to keep him in the pocket, the linebackers to pursue once he breaches it and the secondary to keep him honest when he decides to throw on the run.
Easier said than done, said Thigpen.
“He’s the most athletic quarterback we’ve faced,” Thigpen said. “We thought Jefferson last week was pretty good as far as escaping the pocket and getting out in the open. But (Masoli) is the best I’ve seen as far as a guy who can avoid the sacks, fake like he’s going to throw it and tuck it down and run it.
“Believe it or not, he’s probably more accurate when he’s on the run than when he’s in the pocket.”
And he’s got receivers that are used to keeping their routes alive so Masoli can come back to them when he’s scrambling.
Markeith Summers — a 6-foot-3 senior — is picking up where Shay Hodge left off, averaging 22.4 yards per catch, and sophomore Jesse Grandy provides a burner option on underneath routes.
Auburn got to see that speed first-hand in the then-freshman’s 82-yard kickoff return for a score in last year’s 33-20 Tigers win.
Oh yeah, the Rebels also have 6-foot-7 sophomore Melvin Harris to stretch the defense.
“When (Masoli) gets outside the pocket and he throws the ball down the field, they’re making a lot of big things happen in that regard,” Tigers head coach Gene Chizik said.
“He brings definitely a dimension to the team that’s two-fold, and his athletic ability is the reason he’s able to do those things.”
dmorrison@oanow.com | 737-2568
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