Jeremiah Briscoe shining in the playoffs
12/14/2015 10:00:00 AM | Football
When K. C. Keeler announced in August he was going to utilize both returning starter Jared Johnson and newcomer Jeremiah Briscoe in a two-quarterback system for the coming 2015 Sam Houston football season, arm-chair “experts” cringed.
“A team with two quarterbacks is a team with no quarterbacks,” the critics said. Keeler admitted that's an adage he normally agrees with, but this was a special situation.
“We have two outstanding young quarterbacks in Jared and Jeremiah,” Keeler said. “Both have the talent to lead us to success. The offense does not change that much with either one in the game.”
The head coach's statements proved to be prophetic.
Both quarterbacks saw extensive action during the first half of the regular season with Briscoe getting enough playing time to rank among the top eight passers in the league. At times, the pair would alternate snaps during a single series. Johnson ended the regular season as Southland Conference “Offensive Player of the Year” and was a first-team all-league selection.
But after passing for 2,206 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season, the junior from Grand Prairie has been slowed by injuries in the post season.
The Sam Houston attack, ranked No. 1 nationally in total offense, hasn't missed a beat. Briscoe has stepped right in to lead Sam Houston to three consecutive victories and the NCAA semifinals. The sophomore from Houston has thrown for 882 yards in victories over Southern Utah, McNeese State and Colgate.
The head coach sees the reason for the success of both quarterbacks is two-fold.
“First, both quarterbacks have been getting reps with the first team every week,” Keeler said. “Around mid-season, Jeremiah was a little banged up and Jared had the hot hand. So we went with Jared and he was voted the league's offensive player of the year. But Jeremiah's work with the first team every practice meant he was ready to step in at any time after he was healthy again.
“Secondly, both individuals are unselfish young men. Of course, each of them wants to be on the field every play. But they what they both want more is for the team to win. That's why the two quarterback system has worked.”
Briscoe passed for 1,863 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior at Stratford High School in Houston and totaled 2,358 yarrds passing and 23 TDs as a junior at Second Baptist Prep in Houston in 2011. He threw only three interceptions his senior year.
He signed with UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham) and red-shirted as a true freshman in 2013. In 2014, he passed for 361 yards and three scores in six appearances as backup quarterback during a 6-6 campaign.
Following the season, however, the university announced it was dropping football. Briscoe had to find a new home. He wanted a school with a strong academic program but also one with an offense he knew he could excel in and that was close to home. He chose Sam Houston.
“I'm in a system that fits me,” Briscoe said. “I think I have a really bright future here. Another two years in this offense, there's no telling what can happen.”
Keeler believes in both his quarterbacks.
“I think these two guys would start for almost any of the FCS squads in the country and a lot of FBS teams,” Keeler said. “Jeremiah throws a great ball. He has been lights out in the playoffs.”
Briscoe transferred in January and participated in 2015 spring ball in April. He was the team's leading passer in the Orange-White spring game, completing 10 of 14 passes for 116 yards.
The sophomore wants to do whatever he can to help the Bearkats win. He's already etching his name into the Sam Houston playoff records book. In the quarterfinal victory over Colgate, Briscoe directed the offense to scores on six of its first seven possessions.
“I think our offense is at its best whenever we are going up-tempo, rolling as fast as we can,” Briscoe said. “It gets our whole unit in sync. I thought we did a great job of pushing tempo. We really got rolling and I think it really put pressure on Colgate.”
Sam Houston's 37 first downs were a school single game record. The team's 653 total yards on offense marked the program's fourth highest single game performance in history. The quarterback's 358 yards vs. the Raiders is the third best performance by a Bearkat in an FCS post-season game.
“It's great that either Jared or I can start or can come in and play at any time,” Briscoe said. “I try to think about what's best for the team. It helps us too that our opponent each week has to prepare for two quarterbacks. We have a great offensive line, outstanding running backs and great receivers.
“It was tough at UAB, but all in all, I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. It's great just being here. My best football is still to be played.”
