Three weeks after Paul Pasqualoni announced his decision, the question is as virulent as ever.

Who is the starting quarterback for the Syracuse football team?

Pasqualoni, SU’s head coach, has swayed back and forth between freshman Joe Fields and sophomore Perry Patterson.

Although Fields started SU’s first two games, when the Orange takes the Carrier Dome field Saturday at noon against Cincinnati, either Patterson or Fields could line up under center.

‘We will work through the week and see how it goes through the week,’ Pasqualoni said when asked who the starter would be. ‘But I know that they will both play.’

In the preseason, Pasqualoni said a clear-cut No. 1 would be preferred.

This week, Pasqualoni tried spinning that, arguing that using two quarterbacks confuses defenses and doubles the amount they need to learn – with two quarterbacks come two game plans.

In addition, Pasqualoni used both quarterbacks because game situations can’t be simulated in practice, and young players need game-like experience.

Still, he said naming a starter would be preferred.

‘If there was a clear-cut starter, there would be one,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘One of the two has not risen up or taken the job. I cannot grade the film and say, ‘Based on this consistency, this guy deserves to play the whole game.’ I can’t say that.’

A quarterback controversy could also hurt SU’s game plan. As quarterbacks rotate in and out, they may lose a flow or rhythm.

‘It’s very difficult,’ Fields said. ‘You start getting a rhythm and then you’re taken out. You press and try to make things happen because you know you’re gonna be sitting a while.’

Said Patterson: ‘It doesn’t matter to me (who starts). I’m happy with my playing time. Coach P knows what he’s doing. I’m not gonna say whether I should be starting or not.’

Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli has been a four-year starter with the Bearcats, never having experienced a legitimate competition.

‘I wouldn’t like it,’ Guidugli said. ‘You’ve got to get in there and get a flow for the game and see as many defenses as possible.’

Though neither Patterson nor Fields has emerged, Patterson has looked sharper and more efficient. Patterson is 14-of-28 passing this season. Fields is 10-of-21 with two interceptions.

In SU’s 51-0 loss to Purdue on Sept. 5, Patterson guided a stagnant offense downfield in the fourth quarter, spearheading one of its most effective drives of the game. Ultimately, it ended at the Purdue 23-yard line, only after Alex Shor dropped a fourth-down pass.

Both quarterbacks played extensively at Buffalo. Patterson played in the second quarter, though, when SU scored 24 of its 37 points.

Patterson hardly had any say in that, however. Two Anthony Smith punt blocks set up two easy scores, and Damien Rhodes broke a 46-yard touchdown run for SU’s third touchdown of the quarter.

Ultimately, Patterson finished 7-for-18 with 61 yards. Fields finished 2-for-6 with 23 yards and an interception.

As of now, neither quarterback has thrown a touchdown pass.

Still, Patterson seems more likely to take over as the season wears on.

‘I think I’m close,’ Patterson said of taking over as starter. ‘I don’t know what’s going on in Coach P’s mind. I don’t know the situation between me and Joe. I’ve just gotta keep preparing.’

Said Pasqualoni: ‘You might be strengthening your team by developing and giving both the opportunity to take over the position. Every coach would love to be in the situation where you have a declared starter and it’s a done deal. We are not in that situation right now, but I think this is a very positive situation. I think there are good things that both do and it is exciting and it is fun.’

Published on September 17, 2004 at 12:00 pm