Being in a four-way battle for a position in big time college football can be an intimidating process.
Having your coaches and teammates judge your every move and decision can sometimes make you timid, but once you are chosen to play the position, then your confidence can increase exponentially and you become an instant leader.
This situation was true for new starting quarterback Nick Marshall, resulting in players and coaches seeing a different Marshall on the field since he was named the starting quarterback.
"There's something to be said about being given that confidence from your coaches that says 'hey you are the guy,'" said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. "I think it kind of forces you to step up and lead a little more than even you were before when you were competing with other guys, so I think he is trying to be more vocal and lead the guys."
Not only does Marshall feel the need to make sure the rest of the offense is executing plays like they are supposed to, but he said he is also now holding himself to a higher standard.
"You know he's extremely tough on himself, which is usually a really good sign," said coach Gus Malzahn. "When he makes a mistake he is just as disappointed as the coaches, and anytime you have a player like that it is a really good sign."
Not only are the coaches noticing Marshall's new sense of urgency on the practice field, but the players are as well. They said they see him becoming more knowledgeable about his new offense.
"He's stepping up and taking charge, which is what he is supposed to do," said receiver Quan Bray. "He is looking more and more comfortable, and he is answering a lot more questions quicker than he was before, so I definitely think he is getting a feel for it and that's a good thing."
Marshall arrived on campus late in the summer, so he did not have much time to study the offense before he was thrust into a competitive quarterback battle.
With the season opener against Washington State quickly approaching, Marshall needs every second available to continue improving.
"Bottom line is he's only had three weeks or so with us," Lashlee said. "You're talking about just weeks in a system, and now you're asking him to go out and run it in a real game so he needs every rep he can get to feel comfortable."
Even with the short time Marshall has had to learn the offense, both players and coaches said that Marshall's strengths can't be fully seen in practice, and once the game starts Saturday, Marshall's strengths will be in full force.
"He's a ball player," Bray said. "He told me, 'I'm a game player, and once the lights hit I'm a different player.' That day we went live in practice he really showed me that."
Marshall will make his first start Saturday, Aug. 31, against Washington State.
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