La Secla frontrunner in QB competition with Reed
Joseph Akeley
Issue date: 9/14/09 Section: Sports
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But after Kevin Jurovich caught his first throw down the sideline for 33 yards, he settled down.
"It wasn't the best throw - it was to the side and Kevin made a great play," La Secla said. "When a receiver makes a play like that, it kind of relaxes you a little bit. And when you have that trust in your receivers, then you can pretty much play with a lot of poise."
That throw was the beginning of what head coach Dick Tomey called a tremendous performance.
"For somebody who has not played a full game at this level - and to be playing against that kind of defense - I thought he did a terrific job," Tomey said.
La Secla threw for 269 yards and recorded his first touchdown pass in two years during SJSU's 24-14 loss to Utah Saturday night at Spartan Stadium.
With the Spartans down 21-7 in the fourth quarter, La Secla completed five passes for 57 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquis Avery. La Secla said he was confident during the drive.
"That drive was really special," La Secla said. "People say you're in a zone, that's kind of what it felt like. I felt like whatever defense they were in, we were able to make plays."
The touchdown pass itself came on third and goal from the 1-yard line.
La Secla was hit as he threw a wobbly pass. But receiver Marquis Avery was still able to make the catch.
"I was actually kind of mad at myself on that play," La Secla said. "I held the ball a little too long, and I got hit as I was throwing it. I was trying to make it a little easier on him than it was. But as you could see right there, he makes plays."
Quarterback Kyle Reed played all but one offensive play in the first quarter. He attempted only one pass, as the Spartans did not record a first down in his two drives.
La Secla played quarterback for the rest of the game, leading two touchdown drives.
La Secla said he has not won the starting quarterback job for the season.
"I think Kyle is too good of a quarterback to say that I won the starting job," La Secla said. "I don't really feel like I am in that position yet."
La Secla's main targets were Avery and wide receiver Kevin Jurovich, who combined for 15 catches and 215 yards.
La Secla converted three out of seven third down conversions in the second half.
Tomey said La Secla played with a lot of poise.
"When he had pressure, I thought he avoided the pressure and still made good throws downfield," Tomey said.
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