Up 4 Grabs

After waiting in the background for two seasons, four quarterbacks will get the chance to step up to center stage today during the spring football game at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.\nThe prize for the top performance: the nod as the starting quarterback in the fall for IU.\nFor the past two seasons, former quarterback Matt LoVecchio led the charge for the Hoosiers after transferring from Notre Dame in 2001. In LoVecchio's two seasons at the helm, IU went 5-18.\nBecause of new football coach Terry Hoeppner and a new offensive system, everyone was given an open audition for the spot, said quarterbacks coach Matt Canada.\n"Everybody started with a clean slate," Canada said. "The spring is certainly the time for guys to come out and shine and prove what they've got to offer this football team -- every day is an interview."\nTwo players who have proven their mettle during spring practice and have game experience are junior Graeme McFarland and sophomore Blake Powers, Canada said.\nTheir experience has paid off during practice, as they are both the top front-runners for the position, he said.\nAfter missing the 2004 season McFarland rejoined the Hoosiers this spring. Of all the quarterbacks competing for the job, McFarland has the most experience. In the 2003, the Birmingham, Ala., native played in nine games, including one start against Minnesota.\nDespite not suiting up for more than a year, McFarland said he feels he's getting used to the new system.\n"I was afraid that (practice) was going to be real fast with the defense and all that," McFarland said. "But it is coming back. I'm not 100 percent by any means, but it is getting there."\nAnother top candidate for the starting job is Powers. Much like McFarland, Powers has been limited in his opportunities to play for IU. In Powers' first opportunity to lead the Hoosiers, it ended in pain at Illinois.\nPowers threw two interceptions, and the Illini came from behind to defeat the Hoosiers 26-22.\nHaving a tough outing in his first appearance is something Powers hopes serves him well in his quest to be the top signal caller, he said.\n"I think no matter who you are, you are going to take your bruises at the position of quarterback," Powers said. "I knew that I would get in a position that I would have that happen. That is definitely something I'm glad happened, and I would rather have that in the past and not in the future."\nEven though there are two main competitors trying to win the quarterback competition and lead the Hoosiers in the fall, there are still two other players who are trying to make a name for themselves -- Mike Vlahogeorge and Grant Gregory.\nBoth players red-shirted this past season and are ready to make contributions to IU.\nVlahogeorge ranks fourth in career passing yards for all Indiana high schools with 10,757 yards.\nEven with a new system in place, Vlahogeorge feels he is adjusting much better the first time around at IU, he said.\n"I don't know if it is the offense or experience, but I am picking up the offense better than I did last spring," Vlahogeorge said.\nThe last of the four quarterbacks fighting for the quarterback spot is Gregory. In addition to taking snaps under center, Gregory is also playing wide receiver.\nDespite the challenges of trying to play two positions at the same time, Gregory said he feels playing both positions hasn't affected his learning the new system.\n"(The coaches) have really installed (the offense) at a pace we can handle," Gregory said. "(I) just stay near the coaches and do whatever they tell me to, because one play they may need me at wide receiver and then I got to get the glove off and go on at quarterback."\nAs tonight's game marks the final practice of the spring season, all the players and coaches know the significance of the game.\nCurrently, Hoeppner hasn't set his depth chart in stone, but Powers is leading at No. 1, he said.\nEven with the quarterback being one of the youngest and most important positions on the field, Hoeppner is prepared to announce a starter after spring, he said.\n"I think we'll come out of spring with a starting quarterback," Hoeppner said. "I don't see us changing who our starting quarterback is once we finish up the spring. The way we start the season is the way we finish up the spring."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.