THE YEAR OF T
Black-college quarterbacks, by and
large, used to be the guys who took
snaps, handed the.ball off and, if they
were lucky, went on to become defensive
backs in the pros.
No more. In fact, there are so many
talented quarterbacks at black schools
this year that even the stodgy, old NFL
has to take notice.
Although there is no apparent glut
_ ? - - -
or superior quarieroacKs in tne major
colleges (Division I-A), this year's edition
of black college football features
some of the finest signalcallers to come
along in a while - and at least a few
coaches who are daring and innovative
enough to let their passers strut their
stuff. In fact, it might be argued this
year is the best-ever for quarterbacks in
the black college ranks.
Look for a winner and you'll find a
good man behind center.
Any conversation concerning
quarterbacks in black college football
has to begin with junior Willie Totten
of Mississippi Valley. Totten has virtually
rewritten the record books while
playing for the Delta Devils and Coach
Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley. He is far
and away the finest quarterback in
black college football - maybe in the
n ati An
"Anytime you talk about Willie Totten,
you're talking about the best,"
says Cooley. "He's like a coach on the
field. He's been around me long
enough to know what types of plays
and formations to use and he also has
-
Cool Under Pretsu
Alcorn senior quarterbck Richard f
pain seems inevitable (photo by Jt
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the intelligence to read defenses".
Totten led the nation (Division
I-AA) in passing last year and has been
even better in *84. He threw for 2,566
yards and 27 touchdowns last season
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while giving up only nine interceptions
His 62.4 completion percentage helpe<
him to a record rating of 167.5.
But what Cooley likes most abou
Totten is the fact that he's a winner.
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fillie Totten, who threatens to shatter
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U "Totten came from a winning proi
gram in high school," says Cooley of
the 6-2, 205-pounder. "He was a runn11
"ing quarterback in high school, but he
had so much athletic ability that it was
pretty easy for him to adapt to a passI
ing offense."
Although Totten is the premier
quarterback in the SWAC and the best
in black college football, there are
several other fine quarterbacks in
Mississippi.
Jackson State's John McKenzie
plays in the same conference with Totten
and, while he doesn't have Totten's
numbers, he's good. Like Totten,
McKenzie has the physique to take
poundings in the NFL.
McKenzie's coach, W.C. Gorden,
says his passer has all the tools to make
it as a pro.
VJohn McKenzie personifies what it
tafces to be a good quarterback today/'
says Gordcn. 4'He's a fine passer and
an outstanding scrambler. John can
throw play-action passes with the same
effectiveness as a drop-back passer
can."
Yet, Gorden feels McKenzie's best
attributes are his savvy and intelligence.
"John has great charisma," Gorden
says. "He reads coverages well and is
very competitive, while at the same
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