Luke Poorman, top and D'Angelo Fulford are sharing the quarterback duties for the No. 1 team in the nation. Photos by Dan Poel, d3photography.com

It’s rare to have a freshman quarterback under center for a defending national champion.

That’s the situation at Mount Union this season as Luke Poorman was the first freshman to start a season opener at quarterback since Bill Borchert in 1994.

And, like that team, the Purple Raiders have two freshmen sharing the quarterback duties. D’Angelo Fulford has taken almost as many snaps as Poorman. So far, the unique situation has been a positive one for Mount Union, which is 4-0 and remains atop the national rankings.

While it might be a rare occurrence for the Raiders, now-head coach Vince Kehres saw it work when Borchert shared time with Mike Yurcich as all three were freshmen on that 1994 team. Borchert seized the job halfway through the year and went on to become the program’s all-time leading passer. Yurcich transferred to California (Pa.), a Division II school, and was a three-year starter. He is now Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator.

“Luke and D’Angelo are both very talented players. We feel like they give us the best chance to win right now,” Kehres said. “The fact we have them both for three more years, hopefully, after this year is a real positive as well, in terms of their ceiling to improve and develop as quarterbacks. We feel like they give us a good chance to win in the present as well.”

Handing the keys to the offense to two freshmen can be risky – especially for a national powerhouse. However, Mount Union surrounds both quarterbacks with a bevy of experienced offensive players. On the line, center Mitch Doraty is a three-year starter and Rimington Trophy winner. Brooks Jenkins is a three-year starter at left tackle and Matt Fitchet is a two-year starter at right tackle.

“It all starts at center. When in the shotgun, the flow of the play is so much better when the snaps are consistently accurate. Mitch is a very good blocker and he has such a high percentage of accurate snaps,” Kehres said. “Having three returning offensive linemen gives a lot of stability to the offensive line.”

Tim Kennedy and Jordan Hargrove were the team’s top receivers last year and are again this season. Along with junior Jared Ruth, they offer security for the young quarterbacks. Senior running back B.J. Mitchell is a go-to guy in the offense as well. He averages nearly 164 yards on the ground per game and passed the century mark in all four of the squad’s games this year and 16 times in his career.

“I kind of knew coming into the season that I would play that veteran role. I am embracing it,” Mitchell said. “Our offensive line is the most veteran group I have had here. They make it easy for me. They’ve done a huge job in taking the pressure off the quarterbacks as well,” Mitchell said. “Having both quarterbacks play is different. It’s unlike anything I have been a part of or my class has been a part of. They are making it work and we trust both of them. We are on board with whatever our coach decides to do. If it stays the same or changes, I feel we’ll be fine either way. I think they are both competing and doing very good.”

Both Poorman and Fulford are more traditional passers than rushers, so it’s not like one is the thrower and the other a runner.

“They are more similar than they are different. They are accurate passers. They understand our offense and they’ve been pretty good decision makers,” Kehres said. “They are accurate passers who are capable of making the reads and they will get better with experience. When the read dictates to run, they are effective runners. I wouldn’t describe them as dynamic runners.”

So far, the two players have put up similar stats. Poorman has completed 33 of 47 passes for 402 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, while Fulford is 28 of 44 for 359 yards, four TDs and no interceptions.

Will the rotation continue in coming weeks?

“Right now, we’re averaging 47 points per game. Right now, what we’re doing is working very well for us, as whole, offensively. I’d rather that stay the same. That means they’re both playing pretty well,” Kehres said. “We’ve gone into games with similar plans. It’s typically about two series and then we rotate or something pretty close to that.

“I think the competitor in them would like to play more. You want all your players to have that motivation. We enjoy having a lot of competition internally. That means you have to play at a consistently high level or maybe someone gets some of your playing time,” he continued. “The competition with each other has been a positive for both of them. As competitors, I know they want to play more and be the guy out there all the time. I understand that and appreciate that.”

Freshman Dom Davis has been part of the quarterback picture as well. He’s played minimally in half of the squad’s games.

“Luke and D’Angelo are both a little ahead of where Dom is right now, but Dom is closing the gap on them every day,” Kehres said. “It’s exciting. All three of them are great young men. We’re anxious to watch them develop.”

Game of the Week

Thomas More 45, Westminster 35 – The Saints held on for the key PAC road victory. Westminster was within a touchdown, 31-25, after three quarters, but Thomas More (4-1) held on for the triumph. Brenan Kuntz passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints survived three crucial tests (Washington & Jefferson, Carnegie Mellon and Westminster) to open PAC play. Thomas More’s next five opponents have a combined 8-17 record.

What to watch

DePauw (4-0) visits Wittenberg (4-0) in a battle for NCAC supremacy. Wittenberg’s defense has been sharp this season, especially against the run. The unit allows 72.5 yards per game on the ground. DePauw brothers Matt Hunt and Andy Hunt are quite a force once again. Matt is one of the NCAC’s top quarterbacks, while Andy is among the conference’s receiving leaders.

In the polls

No. 1 Mount Union (4-0) scored the first 21 points and posted a 38-21 win at Ohio Northern. The Purple Raiders welcome Heidelberg on Saturday.

No. 15 Thomas More (4-1) moved up a spot with its 45-35 triumph at Westminster. The Saints face winless Grove City (0-5) at home Saturday.

No. 16 Wittenberg (4-0) bumped up two spots after its 41-13 win at Wooster. The Tigers welcome DePauw in a battle of NCAC unbeatens.

No. 20 Wabash (3-1) rebounded from a setback to Wittenberg and moved up three spots after a 45-21 win over Hiram. The Little Giants welcome Oberlin on Saturday.