Bennett Coolly Passes First Test

Ask Nevada’s Eric Bennett what the most-crucial element in his makeup as a quarterback is, and he’ll tell you it’s confidence.

Bennett, a sophomore from Simi Valley High, doesn’t take for granted that he is big, has a strong arm, good mobility and the ability to read defenses. But none would amount to a first down, he said, if he took the field scared.

Bennett showed plenty of poise last week, completing 21 of 35 passes in a 45-29 victory by the Wolf Pack over Pacific that clinched the Big West Conference championship.

Nevada is 8-2, 5-0 in conference play. Bennett was making his first college start. He responded by throwing touchdown passes of five and 27 yards, and he had a 12-yard touchdown run that capped the scoring.

“It was something I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Bennett said. “I hadn’t [started] in 2 1/2 years. I was really pleased with my performance. It felt like I was in high school.”

Bennett threw for 3,094 yards and 34 touchdowns, completing 53.7% of his passes his senior year at Simi Valley. But he was a bundle of nerves when he took the field against Pacific.

First of all, he was starting from scratch again.

Second, he was substituting for one of the top quarterbacks in country. Mike Maxwell, a senior who was sidelined because of a thumb injury, leads the nation in total offense (402 yards), passing yards (401) and completions (30.8) per game.

“I was a little nervous because I was feeling the pressure of a championship game, and just [it] being my first game,” Bennett said. “I just had to get back there and throw the ball and run our normal offense.”

That he did. Bennett passed for 315 yards, with only five other Division I quarterbacks throwing for more that day. It was as if Maxwell had not been out.

“Eric played with a lot of poise, considering the situation,” Coach Chris Ault said. “We now know what he can do and have the confidence in him any time we need him, which could be again this week.”

Said Bennett: “I went in being confident. It was a matter of being relaxed. We had a pass play the first play of the game. It was a short route and I completed it. I liked the fact that I didn’t panic.”

Bennett knew he could relax because he has an exceptional supporting cast.

Alex Van Dyke is the leading receiver in the nation with averages of 11.6 catches and 154 yards and needs 27 receptions in his last two games, Saturday against San Jose State and the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 14, to set an NCAA single-season record. The mark is 142.

The Nevada offensive line might be the tallest in the country. It is anchored by tackles Deron Thorp (6 feet 8, 305 pounds) and Mike Rockwood (7-0, 320). Rockwood dwarfs Bennett, who is 6-3, 190 pounds, but Bennett said he is the best friend a quarterback could have.

“If you get right behind him, you can’t see too well,” Bennett said. “He was my roommate for a while and he’s a good guy. We’re close friends.”

And Rockwood helped settle Bennett’s nerves before the game.

“He told me to go out there and do my thing and be confident,” Bennett said.

Bennett turned down scholarship offers from San Diego State and Arizona State, thus spurning a chance to play in a well-known bowl such as the Rose Bowl or Holiday Bowl. But the spotlight that comes with playing in a marquee football program didn’t interest Bennett.

“I just like the offense that [Nevada runs] and the way the coaches worked,” Bennett said. “They don’t lose here. I wanted to go to a school where I would get a chance to throw the ball and win.”

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The following Valley alumni could figure prominently in Saturday’s game between USC and UCLA at the Coliseum:

For the Trojans, senior fullback Terry Barnum (Alemany) is second in receptions with 27 for 255 yards. He has caught a pass in every game. Freshman receiver Billy Miller (Westlake) has three catches for 27 yards. On special teams, freshmen Marvin Powell III (Birmingham) and Lawrence Larry (Littlerock) have nine and two tackles.

For the Bruins, freshman Chris Sailer (Notre Dame) has 53 punts for an average of 41.7 yards to rank third in the Pacific 10 Conference. Sophomore safety Shaun Williams (Crespi) is second in tackles with 58. Senior tackle George Kase (Hart) is sixth with 42 tackles. He leads UCLA in tackles for a loss and yards lost (14-64) and sacks and yards lost (4-35). Sophomore linebacker Tyrone Pierce (Sylmar) has five tackles.

Backup quarterback Ryan Fien (Royal) has completed 57% of his passes (36-63) for 422 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Freshman fullback Craig Walendy (Westlake) and freshman center Shawn Stuart (Saugus) are listed second on the Bruin depth chart.