NSU to alternate two QBs to start season

Norfolk State's Chris Walley endured an up-and-down first season.

During his second year, the NSU quarterback will be up and down in the lineup.

After watching transfer Nico Flores through three weeks of spring practice, Spartans coach Pete Adrian said he expects to play both quarterbacks during the first four games of the season. That stretch will serve as something of an elongated warm-up to the meat of the MEAC schedule. It includes a game against West Virginia, other non-conference games against Virginia State and Charleston Southern and the conference opener against lightly regarded Howard.

"We'll use two quarterbacks," Adrian said. "Walley ran the ball well and Nico threw the ball well this spring. We'll see how it goes in the first part of the season. If it works out well, they won't have a problem with it. They just want to go out and win."

After a rocky stretch early in the 2010 season that included a 51-yard effort in a 7-6 loss to Hampton, Walley thrived once offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell took over and installed a more aggressive no-huddle offense. He completed 78.8 percent of his passes over the final three games.

Walley ended the year third in the MEAC in yardage, completing 61.4 percent of his throws for 169 yards per game.

When Flores chose to transfer from Central Florida, NSU expected to use him in its Wildcat formations.

But the Spartans plan to use Flores as more than a situational option.

"As long as we're winning, I'm OK with that," said Walley, who will still be listed first on the depth chart. "I'm a realist. Numbers are great, but the NFL is not going to come looking for a 6-foot-1 quarterback. Winning is where it's at."

Walley has a quicker release and a season of making decisions in Blackwell's system, while Flores is more athletic with a bigger arm.

Walley does not have a cannon arm, while Flores hasn't worked against a live defense in two years and was moved off the quarterback position in his second year at UCF.

Flores said reading defenses as a receiver kept him adept at making decisions, but his passing mechanics and accuracy suffered.

"Throwing the ball, I was a little rusty," Flores said. "My accuracy is coming back, and everything is chemistry with receivers."

Flores said he wouldn't be surprised if he were also utilized at receiver, which is the position he shifted to at Central Florida.

Adrian said he didn't plan on rotating the quarterbacks each play, or even each series, but hoped to give each significant chunks of time.

"I wouldn't do plays," Adrian said. "I think you have to give the guy a couple series to get comfortable. It also depends what the defense is giving you. If you can't defend the pass, then we're going to try to pass. If you can't defend the run, then we're going to run."

Chris Carlson, (757) 446-2367, chris.carlson@pilotonline.com