The backup quarterback is still a popular man on campus. This October, out West, QB2 has also been one of the most important.
Seven Mountain West and Pac-12 programs have turned to a second-stringer and the results follow a simple rule. Backups win when the system asks them to steer, not rescue.
The NFL knows it. Tom Brady in 2001, Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII and Brock Purdy in 2022 all walked into rosters built to protect them before flourishing.
Nobody proves the rule better than the Mountain West leader.
New Mexico lost Jack Layne to a season-ending elbow operation before the opener, so Jason Eck split snaps between Luke Moga and freshman Toa Fa'avae before handing Fa'avae the job in late September.
New Mexico (5-1, 2-0 MW) is the league's only unbeaten team in conference play, but the win over the 'Bows came at a price. Senior quarterback James Laubstein, a goal-line finisher with five rushing touchdowns this year, was carted off with a season-ending knee injury that likely closes his college career. That leaves the ball in freshman Toa Fa'avae's hands when the Lobos host North Dakota State on Saturday, and on top of that, the 16 penalties and three turnovers at Hawaii won't fly against the Bison.
Air Force runs the same playbook, only louder. After Liam Szarka was lost for the season, Evan Medders ran for 114 yards and two scores at Northern Illinois, then 152 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons ran for 430 in a 41-31 win over UNLV.
Medders, a fullback-built sophomore, runs the triple option like a man handed the playbook and a jackhammer. Air Force (5-1, 3-1) has won four straight and hasn't fumbled all season. Next, defenses will dare Medders to throw.
San Jose State's version came with a twist, because its switch seems to be more a choice. With Luke Weaver banged up and the offense inconsistent, Ken Niumatalolo said the staff "just felt like we needed a spark," and the call went "to the 11th hour" before kickoff.
True freshman Daniel Rolovich went 12 of 23 for 193 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in a 24-11 win at UTEP. He had help: Viliami Teu ran for a career-high 156 yards and the defense posted 11 sacks.
"He's got a big arm," said Niumatalolo. "He's big and strong and can run. He's not afraid."
It wasn't seamless for SJSU. Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann, who coached under Daniel's father, Nick Rolovich, at Hawaii and Washington State, now runs the spread-and-shred Daniel grew up around. Stutzmann said Daniel opened with "some bobbled snaps and some misreads," so the two talked at halftime at UTEP.
"I said the reason why you're starting is because you can cut it loose," said Stutzmann. "I know a bunch of Roloviches. I know those guys cut it loose. Show me your Rolovich."
"And he did in the second half."
Over in the Pac-12, two backup stories collided.
Utah State named McCae Hillstead its starter in the spring, then watched him throw three interceptions in a season-opening loss to FCS Idaho State. Grady Brosterhous took over and has steadied the Aggies, but he plays behind a line that has allowed a Pac-12-high 19 sacks.
Then Brosterhous beat Washington State 17-16. Days later, Washington State (1-6) head coach Kirby Moore benched six-game starter Caden Pinnick for redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman and the kid showed up.
In a 48-30 loss at Oregon State, Eshelman threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 136, the most by a Cougars quarterback since John Mateer's 111 against San Jose State in 2024. Every snap against No. 23 Boise State this week doubles as a 2027 audition.
UTEP's Raymond Moore III has had it hardest. The Miners managed 40 first-half yards in his start against Nevada and SJSU sacked him eight times in relief. With little help around him, UTEP is 1-6.
That brings us to Reno, where Nevada is living the same story. AJ Bianco, filling in for an injured Carter Jones, went 17 of 34 for 190 yards with two total touchdowns and two interceptions in a 31-17 loss at North Dakota State. Jeff Choate said health will decide who starts Saturday against San Jose State.
Niumatalolo called Saturday "a must win for both of us" and Stutzmann knows what he wants from Rolovich.
"I want to see him shoot a shot and just go and cut it loose a little bit more," said Stutzmann.
Different doors, same spotlight, and the backup always seems to find his way into it. Some came through sprinting, some got knocked back a step and a few are still feeling for the light switch.
