Toledo’s Blanket Gives Paus Security

Cory Paus, after beginning last season in a battle with Drew Bennett for the starting job that carried through the bulk of the nonconference schedule, opens his first full campaign as the No. 1 quarterback with the boost that comes from knowing he is no longer trying out for the role.

“It’s much more confidence than I had last year,” he said.

Bennett started the first two games before Paus was permanently put into the starting lineup, or at least permanent until he got hurt in the third game and had to sit out Week 4. He took over again for the next six games before another injury cost him the season finale against USC.

Coach Bob Toledo threw the job open again for this season, then chose Paus over Ryan McCann. It is, he said, a once-and-for-all decision.

“I talked to both quarterbacks and I told Cory not to look behind himself all the time, don’t worry about looking over his shoulder,” Toledo said. “If he makes a mistake, he’s not going to get pulled. The only way we’ll replace Cory is if, No. 1, if he gets hurt, or he just absolutely is struggling, or if the score gets out of hand one way or another.

“I’ve never really seen him looking over his shoulder. I’m just saying he doesn’t have to. If he throws an interception, for example, he doesn’t have to say, ‘Uh-oh, here comes the other guy.’ I’m not going to pull him out. He doesn’t have to worry about making a mistake and getting yanked.”

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Nate Fiske held off a challenge from Chris Kluwe and retained his job as the starting punter. . . . The sprained ankle that will probably keep Ken Kocher out of the opening lineup, though it looks as though he will play in a change from the original prognosis, delays the choice between Rodney Leisle and Anthony Fletcher at the other defensive tackle. Now, both are scheduled to start.