Fargo, N.D. (AP)--North Dakota State is unveiling a new look at quarterback this season. It's called a backup plan.

The Bison gambled last year on junior Nick Mertens, who spent the previous three years wearing a baseball cap on the sidelines while watching the school's all-time leading passer.

The only other options were a junior college transfer who made more news off the field than on it and a true freshman.

When Mertens struggled at times, there was nowhere to turn.

"We are going to have more depth," NDSU head coach Craig Bohl said Thursday during media day. "It's great to see more than one player out there with (quarterbacks coach) Brent Vigen."

Bohl said there will be at least three players competing for the starting job: Mertens, of East Grand Forks, Minn., and two California products, junior college transfer Dante Perez of San Jose and redshirt freshman Jose Mohler of Cardiff.

A year ago, Mertens completed 152 of 260 passes for 2,004 yards and 16 touchdowns but had 15 interceptions. The Bison finished 6-5 overall and 4-4 in their first year of Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Bohl said the competition should make Mertens better this season.

"Would you say Nick would have an edge simply because he's a fifth-year guy and been in the system all those years? Yeah, I think common sense would tell you that," he said. "That position is really going to be evaluated."

Bohl said he expects to name a starter at least a week before the Sept. 3 season opener at Iowa State.

He said Mertens was "handcuffed" last year because the coaches expected him to master the same plays as predecessor Steve Walker, who threw for a record 7,033 career yards. Mertens had added pressure to stay healthy, the coach said.

"He's going to be hit more than he has before," Bohl said.

The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Mertens said there were times he forced passes rather than expose himself to tacklers.

"If I have to use my legs a little bit I might do that, where last year it was a lot of 'don't get hurt,"' he said.

The 5-foot-8½, 192-pound Perez and the 5-foot-11, 177-pound Mohler are known for their mobility, throwing on the run.

"My style is making plays," said Perez, who passed for more than 4,300 yards and 48 touchdowns in two seasons at Foothill Junior College in California. "It really doesn't matter how tall, how short, how big or how small you are. I just have to use my feet more."

Bison coaches debated last year about taking the redshirt off Mohler, who passed for more than 2,800 yards and rushed for more than 1,200 in two years at La Costa Canyon High School. Bohl said Mohler has a good understanding of the offense, although a suspension kept him out of spring practice. He will remain suspended for the first 2 games of the season.

"I would love to have the chance to play in those first two games," Mohler said. "I messed up so I've got to pay my dues. I'm going to just work hard, study hard and try to win that second spot."

The strength of the offense is expected to be on the offensive line, which returns six experienced players, including three starters and preseason all-America pick Keith Buckman. The weakness is expected to at receiver, with no returning starters.

Mertens said he would rather have strength up front and has already noticed more protection.

"If you look back at some of the picks I had last year, I was on my back for most of them," he said, referring to his interceptions.

Article from Bison Football website