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Sporting News, The, Dec 19, 1994 by Lenn Robbins

QB controversies

no longer exist

What's a more agonizing situation for a coach to face: A quarterback controversy or a controversial quarterback?

Veteran West Virginia Coach Don Nehlen and his first-year South Carolina counterpart, Brad Scott, can debate that topic in Miami.

With the loss of last season's starter, Jake Kelchner, to graduation, Nehlen opened the season with Chad Johnston, who became the first player from West Virginia to start at quarterback for the Mountaineers since 1965. After a 31-0 loss to Nebraska in the Kickoff Classic and a poor performance the next week against Ball State, Michican transfer Eric Boykin took over, though he struggled as West Virginia fell to 1-4. Nehlen went back to Johnston October 1 against Missouri and finally the shuffle ended.

Johnston threw it touchdowns and four interceptions in the final seven games, six of which the Mountaineers won.

Scott knows a good quarterback when he sees one. Last season, as the offensive coordinator at Florida State, he coached Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward.

Scott inherited a talented and free-spirited quarterback in junior Steve Taneyhill, who wasted no time when he was a freshman making himself known throughout the state. showed up in the Bible Belt with long hair an claimed he would win the starting job, which he did midway through the season. Taneyhill had the confidence needed to play quarterback but the cockiness to throw some passes he has no business attempting. Under Scott's tutelage, Taneyhill has matured. In 1993, he led the Southeastern Conference with 14 interceptions. This season he has thrown 19 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.