Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Football Position Preview: Quarterback
8/20/2018 12:37:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. – With Logan Bitikofer and John Chiarolanzio, the Bucknell football team has two quarterbacks who can orchestrate its new pro spread offense. While Bitikofer entered camp as the presumptive starter and has consistently taken reps with the first team, Chiarolanzio remains in the mix to seize the job.
Bitikofer has thrived on the competition. Head coach Joe Susan has praised the sophomore for his competitive fire, noting that it gives him an edge on any playing surface.
"Logan is a unique athlete," Susan said. "He's going to win the bowling tournament. He's going to win the golf tournament. He's going to win the basketball game. He's confident, and he's a competitor. He wants to win at everything he does, and he believes he can because he has the tools to do so."
The Bison's 2017 Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year, Bitikofer boasts a big arm backed up by an imposing 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. Thus far, he has impressed the coaching staff with his poise, understanding of the offense and ability to make the right decisions under fire. While more of a drop-back quarterback who has the arm strength to find receivers down the field and the accuracy to find them in the slot through traffic, he can also run the ball when called upon and has shown the ability to extend plays with his feet throughout camp.
"Coming out of the spring, Logan proved he can start," Susan said. "He showed savvy and development in his ability to run our offense instead of the scout-team offense. He's accurate, has a strong arm and does a good job making time for himself from an athletic standpoint."
"John is still in the competition to start," Susan said. "He's a driven young man who understands the things he has to improve upon. He came a long way in the spring, and he'll continue to work hard to put himself into contention for the starting position."
Junior Jake Wilson and freshmen Tarrin Earle and Renn Lints give Bucknell significant depth at quarterback.
"Quarterback is as competitive and as talented as we've had it," Susan said. "Jake is a confident young man who believes he can start here. We're also fortunate to have two talented freshmen in Tarrin and Renn who might be able to help us right away."
NOTES: The Bison have five quarterbacks on their roster: two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen ... Of that group, only Chiarolanzio has appeared in a game ... Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bobby Acosta said the competition between Bitikofer and Chiarolanzio remains tight; he said consistency will ultimately make the difference in who gets the starting nod ... Bitikofer has connected on a number of deep passes and impressed with his ability to scramble his way out of trouble ... Acosta praised Chiarolanzio for his work in the off-season to improve his throwing mechanics, saying the difference has been apparent in camp ... Earle has been making the most of his reps; the former North 1 Group 5 New Jersey State champion has made plays with both his arm and feet ... Acosta said that Earle has "provided a spark in the quarterbacks room" ... Earle is the nephew of Bucknell wrestling coach Dan Wirnsberger ... Lints was one of three Bison who shaved their heads to raise pediatric cancer awareness as part of the football team's fundraising for Vs. Cancer, joining Drew Newcomb and Ethan Torres ... Acosta said that Lints and Wilson have been working hard to master their craft and have added energy to the quarterbacks room in the process.
Bitikofer has thrived on the competition. Head coach Joe Susan has praised the sophomore for his competitive fire, noting that it gives him an edge on any playing surface.
"Logan is a unique athlete," Susan said. "He's going to win the bowling tournament. He's going to win the golf tournament. He's going to win the basketball game. He's confident, and he's a competitor. He wants to win at everything he does, and he believes he can because he has the tools to do so."
The Bison's 2017 Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year, Bitikofer boasts a big arm backed up by an imposing 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. Thus far, he has impressed the coaching staff with his poise, understanding of the offense and ability to make the right decisions under fire. While more of a drop-back quarterback who has the arm strength to find receivers down the field and the accuracy to find them in the slot through traffic, he can also run the ball when called upon and has shown the ability to extend plays with his feet throughout camp.
"Coming out of the spring, Logan proved he can start," Susan said. "He showed savvy and development in his ability to run our offense instead of the scout-team offense. He's accurate, has a strong arm and does a good job making time for himself from an athletic standpoint."
Bitikofer continues to be challenged for the starting job by Chiarolanzio, who has started eight career games under center. Chiarolanzio, a dual-threat gunslinger, enters his junior year with 1,433 yards and six touchdowns on 146-for-277 passing. In 2017, he threw three touchdown passes of at least 35 yards, including a 64-yard scoring heave at Cornell. He also completed a 76-yard pass against NCAA FCS Tournament participant Monmouth. Â"The level of competition is high right now."
— Bucknell Football (@Bucknell_FB) August 20, 2018
Check out the latest #BandOfBison Spotlight, featuring QBs Logan Bitikofer and John Chiarolanzio. #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/nPGV5bv7ub
"John is still in the competition to start," Susan said. "He's a driven young man who understands the things he has to improve upon. He came a long way in the spring, and he'll continue to work hard to put himself into contention for the starting position."
Junior Jake Wilson and freshmen Tarrin Earle and Renn Lints give Bucknell significant depth at quarterback.
"Quarterback is as competitive and as talented as we've had it," Susan said. "Jake is a confident young man who believes he can start here. We're also fortunate to have two talented freshmen in Tarrin and Renn who might be able to help us right away."
NOTES: The Bison have five quarterbacks on their roster: two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen ... Of that group, only Chiarolanzio has appeared in a game ... Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bobby Acosta said the competition between Bitikofer and Chiarolanzio remains tight; he said consistency will ultimately make the difference in who gets the starting nod ... Bitikofer has connected on a number of deep passes and impressed with his ability to scramble his way out of trouble ... Acosta praised Chiarolanzio for his work in the off-season to improve his throwing mechanics, saying the difference has been apparent in camp ... Earle has been making the most of his reps; the former North 1 Group 5 New Jersey State champion has made plays with both his arm and feet ... Acosta said that Earle has "provided a spark in the quarterbacks room" ... Earle is the nephew of Bucknell wrestling coach Dan Wirnsberger ... Lints was one of three Bison who shaved their heads to raise pediatric cancer awareness as part of the football team's fundraising for Vs. Cancer, joining Drew Newcomb and Ethan Torres ... Acosta said that Lints and Wilson have been working hard to master their craft and have added energy to the quarterbacks room in the process.
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