By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Landen Clark said he sees preseason progress for Elon’s offense under new coordinator Doug Martin, knowing he could be a big part of it.
Clark is vying for the starting quarterback role for the Phoenix, putting together another strong scrimmage Saturday morning at Rhodes Stadium.
“I never thought about the situation,” Clark said. “It’s kind of like an internal battle with myself. Man, go out here and compete and be your best.”
That might be shaping up pretty good for the Phoenix, which will introduce a new starting quarterback when the season begins August 28 at Duke.
Clark, a redshirt freshman, and Iowa transfer Marco Lainez have shared repetitions leading the offense.
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Clark played a few snaps last season for Elon during his first season in the program. As a senior at Radford High School, he boosted the team to an undefeated season and its first Virginia state championship in 51 years.
“His learning curve is steep,” Elon coach Tony Trisciani said. “He’s getting better. He’s growing, and it’s a matter of being comfortable in the offense. It’s a matter of Doug being comfortable with Landen. It’s also a matter of timing with the receivers.”
Clark has the reputation as a dual-threat quarterback and that might fit well in the new schemes Martin has brought to the Phoenix.
“It’s also about his growth from a maturity standpoint, and I’ve seen growth there,” Trisciani said. “Being able to be resilient, being able to lead the unit, I’ve seen growth there. … As an athlete, he’s dangerous. He has got arm talent. He’s got the ability extend plays.”
Clark said the comfort level is growing across the roster.
“I think our offense has taken a couple of big steps that we needed to take since the spring,” he said. “It’s just becoming more comfortable. It’s a new offense. This is our seventh month in the offense. Guys are getting more comfortable getting more live reps. And our defense gives us a great look, so that helps us out.”
Lainez also provides key traits.
“For Marco, there’s a learning curve and growth there as well,” Trisciani said. “He has done a really good job of rallying the group when he’s in there. And he certainly has the ability to use his legs.”
The offense is taking shape around the quarterbacks. Running back T.J. Thomas, Jr. has been in his first full action since a late-season shoulder injury last autumn.
It’s his second summer around Clark and he recognizes the impact he could make.
“I think he’s going to open up a lot for running backs because he’s very mobile,” Thomas said. “He’s going to open up the run game and open up more opportunities for the entire offense just being able to use his feet. First time coming in, he already has been a leader.”
Others have noticed as well. Veteran defensive end Ethan Grace has befriended Clark and has noticed how he has handled various situations.
“He has been developed,” Grace said. “Having a guy come in his freshman year, be around the program, grow with the culture. I think that’s great. He wants this more than anyone. He’s ready to fight, ready to go. I expect a big year out of him.”
Trisciani said he liked how the Phoenix made strides since the first scrimmage.
“I would say growth from scrimmage 1 to scrimmage 2,” he said. “We came out firing on offense . . . and then the defense dug their heels in and stacked up three-and-outs and that’s what a game is like.”
The scrimmage wrapped up with Clark firing a scoring strike to receiver Isaiah Fuhrmann, who made a catch in traffic.
“I want to see guys who are covered make a play on the ball and that’s what Isaiah Fuhrmann did at the end,” Trisciani said.
Soon, it will be time to deliver in games. Clark figures to have a role with that.
“I feel like we’re in a good spot. Not just me, but us as a whole,” he said. “I just want to play football and win football games and make Elon happy. That’s my goal here. If we can do that, I’ll be the happiest man on earth.”
