UNC junior takes top spot in battle

A leader has emerged as the race for UNC's starting quarterback job enters the home stretch.

Junior Dylan Orms has taken the lead in the four-man quarterback battle that has taken place throughout the spring and fall since the graduation of former signal caller Bryan Waggener.

"Last week we had what we called separation week," offensive coordinator Greg Peterson said. "And Dylan was the most consistent moving the team, making the right decisions in the run game and pass game, and he was also the most accurate passer."

Orms saw action in all 11 of the University of Northern Colorado's games last season, completing 6-of-10 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and carrying the ball 30 times for 155 yards.

"I suppose that gave him a lot of help, a lot of advantage over most of the guys," head coach Scott Downing said.

Orms said the opportunity to work with and learn from Waggener over the past two seasons has helped him significantly.

"I just tried to pick up little things from him along the way," Orms said.

Downing said that Orms' ability to make plays with his feet also gave him a leg up.

"He can take a busted play and make it into a positive play," Downing said.

Orms said he relishes using his legs as a weapon from the quarterback position, but also wants to earn respect as a passer.

"I definitely want to come out and show that I can throw the ball," Orms said. "I do like to run, and I'm going to use my feet to my advantage."

Peterson said that while Orms is currently on top of the depth chart, that status is always subject to change.

"I told Dylan and the other guys today that while we may have a one, two, three right now, we're still competing for a starting spot," Peterson said.

Junior wide receiver Patrick Walker said he has seen good things from all of the Bears' quarterbacks this fall and will be happy to work with whoever is under center in the team's opener against Adams State.

"I don't care who it is," Walker said. "As long as whoever it is gets us the win on Saturday."

Sitting behind Orms on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Seth Lobato, a transfer from the University of Colorado.

Lobato has risen to the second spot on the depth chart despite joining the team in July and missing out on spring practices.

"When Seth came in we all just welcomed him into the family and tried to help him pick up the offense as fast as possible," Orms said.

Peterson said that helping Lobato learn his offense was very in character for the unselfish group of UNC quarterbacks.

"When Seth showed up in July, all of a sudden he had four coaches helping him," Peterson said. "I was very proud of our quarterbacks for doing that, they're a bunch of unselfish guys."

The Bears open the season at 1:35 p.m. on Sept. 4 against Adams State at Nottingham Field. Needless to say, Orms is excited for the game.

"I've been waiting for the fourth of September for the last three years," Orms said.