COLLEGE FOOTBALL

End Zone: UT Rockets

Freshman QB asks — demands actually — offense

9/18/2013

Frustrated over conservative play calls cramping the UT offense, Logan Woodside approached his coach at halftime Saturday with a request. Or, more accurately, a demand.

"Let's go play some offense," Woodside implored Matt Campbell.

You have to admire the chutzpah of the freshman quarterback. He figures to have no problem giving orders to older teammates, not when he's comfortable bossing around his coach.

Woodside, who will make his first start Saturday at Central Michigan if Terrance Owens' knee isn't right, finds himself in a desirable position. If he continues to impress — as he did in a win against Eastern Washington — he will move closer to solidifying himself as the QB of the future. As it stands today, there's no assurance Woodside will be higher than third on the depth chart to open next season.

After Woodside committed to UT in the summer of 2012, the staff brought in two QBs with superior credentials. Michael Julian didn't reject BCS offers to sit the bench in the MAC. Phillip Ely ran the scout team at Alabama. He didn't come to UT to do the same.

Woodside by enrolling early became the default choice as back-up. He gets this season to deliver a message he is the best option for the future.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com, 419-724-6160 or on Twitter @AutulloBlade.