When the week started for the Viking Football program, Coach Bruce Barnum stated the coaching staff would spend a lot of practice time looking for a number-two quarterback. Saturday's 70-play scrimmage gave the Viking fans in attendance a look at all six of the signal callers on the roster.
 
Junior quarterback Dante Chachere is the returning starter and has looked good in his bulked up frame (+20 pounds). He didn't disappoint, completing 4-7 passes for 54 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Lynch. He also ran well and would have had a rushing touchdown had the touch-tackle-on-the-QB rule not been in effect.
 
Behind him though, the pursuit of playing time is up in the air – no pun intended - in a group of young quarterbacks. For the record, sophomore Keegan Stancato was 1-2 passing for eight yards in his eight plays behind center. Redshirt freshman Logan Gonzalez went 4-6 for 56 yards in a 10-play drive that led to a Christian Grubb rushing touchdown. Redshirt freshman Brooks Ferguson went 3-4 for 21 yards in his 10 plays. Freshman Gabe Downing had a nine-play series that resulted in a short touchdown run from Andrew Van Buren. Downing was 2-2 for 31 yards. And, freshman Jazel Riley had two series totaling 13 plays. He was 4-4 passing for 29 yards.
 
Scrimmage numbers tend to not mean a lot though, particularly to Barnum in his appraisal.
 
"I thought they all showed poise, an ability to run the offense, and they took care of the football. We didn't have any turnovers today. On their list of things to do, that is where you start. For the first scrimmage, where they are, I liked what I saw."
 
A 30-yard touchdown run by Grubb, a UCLA transfer, highlighted the backfield effort. Jobi Malary also looked good with five carries for 30 yards. Barnum liked what he saw from senior Andrew Van Buren to freshman Delon Thompson.
 
"That position, I saw great things," said Barnum. "Jobi ran like he was at Eastern Washington (when he had 148 yards in a win last season)."
 
Defensively, the Vikings did not force any turnovers – something they had been successful in doing in live plays all week. But they still looked good, reaching the quarterbacks for five touch-sacks and doing a good job finding the ball. In 12 drives, the defense allowed four scores, but only two on full-field drives (75 and 60 yards).
 
"I saw a missed tackle, somebody get juked, but six more guys showed up behind him to stop the ball. That is what you want out of your defense, swarming to the ball. Coach Fry and Coach Rhea have done a good job teaching that so far," said Barnum.
 
A large number of players were given reps in the morning scrimmage.
 
"We wanted to make sure we took a look at everybody if we weren't sure yet where each guy fits," Barnum said. "We are going to look at overall depth this coming week. If we have guys that can contribute, we need to find 'em and play 'em.
 
"After the 21^st and 22^nd is when you will begin to see the groups we are relying on; first team, second team. Up until that point we are still evaluating closely."
 
In the coming week Barnum will look closely at special teams, "We need to solidify special teams depth.
 
"We also need to get into some situational play – red zone, third-and-long, third-and-short – that kind of thing, as we progress."
 
OVERHEARD ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD LOUDSPEAKERS: Saturday Song of the Day: "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley.
 
VIKING NEWS
Aug. 10: ENERGY IS THE EMPHASIS ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Aug. 8: FRESHMEN FACTORING IN ON DEFENSE DURING EARLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Aug. 5: STAYING HEALTHY, SHOULDER PADS AND LOOKING FOR SOME SPRINKLES
Aug. 3: DAY ONE MUSINGS
Aug. 2: SEASON PREVIEW
July 31: VIKING FOOTBALL TAILGATE AT OREGON
 
PRACTICE SCHEDULE 
Mon., Aug. 14, 10:15-12-30
Tues., Aug. 15, 10:15-12:30
Wed., Aug. 16, 10:15-12:30
Thurs., Aug. 17, 10:15-12:30
Fri., Aug. 18, 10:15-12:30
Sat., Aug. 19, 10:15-12:30, Scrimmage
Sun., Aug. 20, Off Day