He Finds Way to Stand Tall

The quarterback matchup in Monday’s Fiesta Bowl may turn out to be as crucial as it is fascinating.

For 10-1 Oregon State, Jonathan Smith, a junior from Glendora who is now the second-leading passer in school history, runs the show. He is the picture of a savvy veteran, with only seven interceptions in 314 passes this season. Yet, there is a problem, one that haunted him coming out of high school and hindered his scholarship possibilities.

He is only 5 feet 10.

“We’ve played to that,” said Tim Lappano, the Beavers’ offensive coordinator. “Last year, we spread people out, but that wasn’t enough. We were asking him to do more than he could do. You could see him struggle when his vision was blocked.

“This year, we move the pocket for him. We roll him about one-third right or left, and he can see people much better.”

Matt LoVecchio, a 6-3, 200-pounder from Bergen Catholic of Franklin Lakes, N.J., is the quarterback for Notre Dame (9-2). Since LoVecchio took over for an injured Arnaz Battle early in the season, the Irish are unbeaten.

Yet, there is a problem. LoVecchio is a freshman, only 13 months removed from the New Jersey high school playoffs.

“Ironically, since we are using a freshman quarterback,” said Kevin Rogers, Irish offensive coordinator, “we simplified things and got better at the basics. Although we were in dire straights earlier in the season with a freshman quarterback, we were able to hone down things.”