Dantonio names Cousins starting quarterback; Nichol to play in first half

After several months of competition, head coach Mark Dantonio officially named sophomore Kirk Cousins as the MSU football team’s starting quarterback Tuesday.

Cousins

Dantonio said sophomore Keith Nichol, Cousins’ competition for the job, will play in the first half when the Spartans open the 2009 season at noon Saturday against Montana State at Spartan Stadium.

“Kirk Cousins will start the game and we’ll allow him to get into the rhythm of the game,” Dantonio said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “Keith Nichol will play in the first half. We’ll also allow him to get into rhythm. Both of these young men, as I’ve said throughout the entire summer practices and spring, are outstanding young people. Both have shown good leadership skills, both have made plays on the field and had great summer camps. We’re looking forward to watching them compete and play in these early games.”

Cousins and Nichol found out about their fate Sunday in a meeting with Dantonio, offensive coordinator Don Treadwell and quarterbacks coach Dan Warner.

“I didn’t go into the meeting thinking I wasn’t going to be the starter, but at the same time you never know,” Cousins said. “You have to trust the coach’s decision on that one.”

Dantonio said Cousins’ experience in the offense was a factor in the decision to start him. Cousins has two years in the system — his redshirt year in 2007 and playing during the 2008 season, including time in games against Ohio State and Georgia.

In five total games in 2008, Cousins was 32-of-43 for 310 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Nichol, on the other hand, transferred from Oklahoma prior to the 2008 season and did not see any action last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

In 2007 at Oklahoma, Nichol played in three games, completing 2-of-7 passes for 15 yards and had three carries for 13 yards.

“It’s almost getting blown into a bigger deal than I feel like it is,” Nichol said.

“All it is is him taking the first snap, and that’s fine. Somebody has to and if it’s that close it’s going to go to the guy who’s been here longer, that’s how I feel.”

Both Cousins and Nichol threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s spring game and went neck-and-neck during fall camp.

Dantonio said choosing a starter was a very difficult decision to make.

“When I look at these guys, they have strengths and weaknesses,” Dantonio said.

“Both these guys have worked hard to improve in the areas they need to improve. I would just say that both have been very productive this summer.”

Nichol said he had a gut feeling Cousins would get the call.

“I felt like I really had to pass him and make it final going into that first game, that first snap, to make it final and I don’t think it was done yet,” Nichol said. “I feel like, yeah, he deserves to get that first snap.”