A week ago, the Fresno State football team weighed multiple options for the starting quarterback position.
This week, the Bulldogs don’t have as many options.
Freshman quarterback Chason Virgil is out for the year after breaking his collarbone in last week’s loss against Utah, while sophomore Zack Greenlee’s status is unclear after he was arrested and released Sunday morning for allegedly being drunk in public.
So far the Fresno State Athletic Department has not yet released a statement regarding disciplinary action against Greenlee, but he has practiced with the team all week.
Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter did not address Greenlee’s situation at a press conference Monday, but he discussed how the team will move forward without Virgil.
DeRuyter expects Greenlee to lead the team in the absence of Virgil.
He also mentioned junior quarterback Ford Childress and redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson as possible options if necessary.
“That’s why you go through the non-conference schedule, getting a couple of quarterbacks ready,” DeRuyter said. “Unfortunately injuries are part of football. You gotta play guys in order to have that experience. I really like how [Greenlee] competed the other game. The fact that he has played all three games and moved our offense. I thought he looked as good as he ever did.”
Greenlee started the first two games of the season, but he entered last week’s game against Utah after Virgil left with a shoulder injury.
He finished the night with 144 yards on 6-for-10 passing and three touchdowns in one quarter of work.
DeRuyter said Fresno State would seek a medical redshirt for Virgil.
“Obviously, he’s disappointed,” DeRuyter said. “He felt that he was making gains — we all did. But I think this is a tremendous opportunity for him. We’re obviously going to petition the NCAA to get this year back for him. It’ll be another chance for him to learn. He’ll get to see this season out. He won’t compete, obviously, but he’ll get another spring, another fall.”
“Academically, he’ll have a chance to hopefully get an advanced degree by the time he’s done here,” DeRuyter added. “And obviously with the experience he won’t be a true redshirt freshman; he’ll be a redshirt freshman that has played in a few games.”
