This new-look coaching staff has discovered a way to maximize the talents of two extremely different players, molding a creative scheme that gives the Spartan offense another dimension.

“I think there's a great camaraderie between the two of them," head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “When Les (Alessio) is out there, Cam’s his biggest fan, and then vice versa. But, yeah, I've done this before, and you just continue to find ways to make explosive plays and create touchdown drives.”

However, this concept isn’t revolutionary. In fact, Fitzgerald has emphasized something like this before in former offenses throughout his tenure at his alma mater, Northwestern. Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter split time at the position in 2012, but the 2013 season is the closest comparison to the dynamic shown so far. 

Fitzgerald referred to the two as “1A and 1B." In 2013, Siemian attempted nearly 300 passes, accumulating more than 2,100 yards compared to Colter’s 80 for 577. But still, Colter’s impact on the rest of the offense extended beyond the passing game. 

His ability to create plays with his legs posed problems for opposing defensive coordinators whenever he entered the game. He was explosive for the Wildcats, carrying the ball 115 times for 489 yards. Most importantly, he gave the coaching staff another element to build around.

Fancher has been that crutch this season, providing the Spartans a similar change of pace. Through three games, the UCF transfer is 6-for-7 passing for 44 yards through the air. He’s also attributed five carries for 29 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers may be underwhelming, but a majority of those statistics came last week against the No. 3 team in the country — his production is expected to rise in coming weeks.

“I'm always one play away, so just always having that mentality that my number can be called at any moment, just to be prepared for the opportunity, and to just try to make the most of it,” Fancher said.

His presence allows Sheridan to keep defenses guessing without taking the second-year quarterback out of his role as the primary option. But as much as these quarterbacks are different, Sheridan believes both players are fully capable of running the offensive system.

“Every player has certain strengths or weaknesses, and so you're always trying to put them in position to be successful,” Sheridan said. “Cam can run our offense, and so can Les (Alessio).”

The rotation benefits Milivojevic, too. Not only does it limit the hits he takes, but Fancher’s experience gives him another perspective on what coverage defenses are throwing at him.

The two compare what they’re seeing after every play and series, helping each other throughout the game or, simply, in practice. In the moment, Milivojevic also has the opportunity to communicate what the opposing defenses are doing.

“He’s helped me tremendously, just having the guy to kind of talk to after each play, talk to after each series,” Milivojevic said. “Even in practice, talk to him, like, what did he see? What did I see? Kind of just going back and forth.”