TEMPE, Ariz. -- With one game in the books, it's already clear that predicting how Arizona State will use its two-quarterback system is an exercise in futility.
Or to paraphrase offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, an exercise in fluidity.
Norvell said Tuesday that ASU's usage of starting quarterback Taylor Kelly and Michael Eubank will vary from week to week and change often within games.
"We're putting together packages to help us win football games, and each week it could be different," Norvell said. "It’s something the game plan is going to dictate."
Coach Todd Graham tried to avoid predicting how snaps might be split between Eubank and Kelly but ended up guessing about two-thirds for Kelly and the rest for Eubank. In ASU's 63-6 win over Northern Arizona last week, Kelly got 38 snaps and Eubank 29, meaning Kelly got about 57 percent.
Graham said Monday that Kelly played less in the second half because the score was so lopsided. In a closer game, which Saturday's against Illinois should be, Kelly might see more time on the field, but Graham and Norvell insist there is no specific plan ahead of games.
"It really has divided up, more than anything, just by package," Graham said. "If we can become really efficient with those packages then yes, I think it makes it kind of difficult."
Added Norvell: "We're going to take it by the game situation. We've developed packages for Mike, and we've got a great feel for what we want to do and how we want to do that."
Graham and Norvell want to use Eubank in packages that play to his skill set as a big, mobile quarterback, but exactly how he'll be used could become clearer with better competition.
Eubank attempted just two passes in last week's game, one of which did not count due to an offensive pass interference penalty. That kind of use would suggest Eubank will be most useful in goal-line and short-yardage situations, but Graham and Norvell maintain Eubank will not just be used to run the ball.
"Anybody that's ever watched him knows he can spin the football," Norvell said. "Game situations just might happen to call for him to run it a little more, and there might be another game where he throws it more than he runs it."
As for what those situations might be, Graham and Norvell have been intentionally coy.
Overall, Graham and Norvell were pleased with the execution of the quarterback system in Week 1, though it wasn't perfect. Graham noted there were a few penalties due to the difference in cadence between Kelly and Eubank.
"We try to have the same cadence, the same rhythm, but it is a little different," Kelly said. "It's probably tougher for the (offensive) line. We had a couple encroachment penalties, but other than that it's good."
Switching from one quarterback to another, Kelly said, can also make it more difficult to establish a rhythm and pace within the game. Graham and Norvell have said this week the tempo must get quicker but are also being careful not to interrupt good drives.
"If we're in a groove, coach keeps us in," Kelly said. "And if you do happen to come out, you just have to stay ready and play every play on the sideline."
Added Graham: "I don't call any plays but I tell (Norvell), `Run it again, run it again.' So if a play works and Eubank is in there moving the ball, we are going to keep on doing the same thing. You just run what's working. That will impact who gets what reps a little bit, too, but obviously Taylor is the primary guy."
Kelly impressed coaches and teammates with his calm demeanor. He looked comfortable in the pocket and did not put the ball in danger. He did overthrow a few passes but was ultimately able to move the chains effectively. Doing so against a talented Illinois defense will offer a much stiffer challenge.
The increased level of competition this week should provide a better view of how the two-quarterback system could play out in the immediate future. Or, the takeaway could be that pBut that doesn't necessarily mean that the rotation remains predictably unpredictable.
