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LOGAN -- Most football fans agree that quarterback is the most vital part and position of a football team. Utah State senior quarterback Diondre Borel put up some astounding numbers last season and Aggie fans are excited that he returns in 2010.
However, with the most vital position putting up such astounding stats, there is no looking beyond the fact that it didn't get the Aggies to a winning season or a bowl game. While Borel was not to blame for USU's eight losses in 2009, Borel himself knows that his leading-by-example demeanor and his off-the-charts offensive numbers aren't necessarily enough to lead the Aggies to their first bowl game since the 1997 Humanitarian Bowl.
"I need to improve my accuracy a lot more, be a better team leader and be a better leader vocally. I usually lead by example, but I need to speak up more when things need to be said. I'd like to have a better season that I did last year," the senior quarterback said about what he needs to improve on to help the Aggies in 2010.
USU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has seen the improvement and development of Borel since becoming the director of USU's offense in December of 2008. Baldwin and Borel are on the same page as far as what needs to improve for the third year starter at quarterback.
"Leadership of an offense and directing the offense; not only with your tone but you have got to get after them sometimes and you've got to pat them on the back sometimes," Baldwin said of Borel's leadership role with the offense. "If we're not moving the ball you've got to be the confident guy to say, ‘hey, let's go'. He (Borel) shows it with his actions he just doesn't show it with words and he's got to become a verbal leader."
The theme for Borel and the coaches seems to be focused a lot on his leadership and vocal skills, but they are finding plenty of time to work on the mechanics.
"We've tried to work on his foot presence in the pocket; that's been a big issue and we've seen a lot of improvement there," Baldwin said.
As a junior, Borel led the Western Athletic Conference in total offense and ranked 15th in Football Bowl Subdivision with 278.6 yards per game. He was also third in the WAC in passing average per game with 240.4 ypg and fifth in the league and 35th in the nation in passing efficiency with 137.8.
Borel's 3,343 yards of total offense last year is a USU single-season record, topping the previous mark of 3,260 yards by Anthony Calvillo in 1993. Borel's 2,885 passing yards ranks as the No. 7 mark on USU's single-season passing list and is the most since Jose Fuentes' school-record 3,268 yards in 2002. With 17 TD passes, Borel tied for No. 9 on USU's single-season TD pass list with Ron Lopez (1991). Borel only threw four interceptions last season, a school record for fewest interceptions, and tied for the second-fewest in FBS last season.
Entering his senior season, Borel now has 4,590 career passing yards, which ranks No. 8 on the Aggies' career passing list, while his 5,690 yards of total offense is No. 6 on the career total offense list, behind the No. 5 spot held by Calvillo (1992-93) with 5,868 yards. Borel is the Aggies' record holder for career rushing yards by a QB with 1,100 yards, ranking 20th on USU's career rushing list.
Regardless of previous numbers, Borel knows he needs to work on mechanics and do whatever it takes to get his team over the hump.
"I want to be more accurate throwing the ball; I know I can run the ball so that is there when I need it, so I'm not as worried about that right now. We want to win a lot more games this year; we want to go to a bowl game," Borel said.
Diondre Borel isn't the only returning quarterback on the roster. Senior Jeff Fischer will be returning for his second year of back-up duties. Although, barring injury, his skills may not be on display during any games, Fischer realizes he plays a vital role and position on the team.
"My role here in the spring is to get as many reps as possible and get as good as I can and push Diondre to be the best he can be. I want to push this offense and defense as far as they can go and become the best team we can," Fischer said. "I try to take as many mental reps as possible when Diondre is playing and just try to stay focused at all times of the game, so at any moment I could be in there."
Last year's third-string quarterback Kane Wilson left the team before the spring season which left some to question the depth at the quarterback position. Baldwin doesn't believe there is any depth issue.
"If Borel would have gone down it was Fischer all the way any way. Kane left and it is still Diondre with Fischer behind him, and we'll probably have a couple freshmen come in to compete behind them," Baldwin said of incoming freshman Jeremy Higgins and Alex Hart.
Fischer has had to play a bigger role in the spring as he is serving as the second and third-string quarterbacks, at least for right now. It has not gone unnoticed by Baldwin.
"Jeff has gotten more reps than he has ever gotten. He's the number two and three quarterback right now, and he's showed a lot of progress," USU's offensive coordinator said.
Progress is a welcome sight for the Aggies at spring practice regardless of who it is, and all involved with the team will agree that progress towards a bowl game seems to be in the minds of all of the USU coaches and players.
The Aggie quarterbacks are playing their vital roles to try and hurry that progress along.
Borel, Fischer and the rest of the Aggies wrap up spring practice this week, culminating spring camp with the Blue-White Spring Game, on Saturday, April 24 at 2 p.m. at Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium.
