Ryan Buchanan passes the bass during the second half of Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. (Photo | Thomas Graning)
The question has been there since the beginning of fall camp. Who is the primary backup quarterback behind Bo Wallace?
Redshirt freshman Ryan Buchanan may have made his case for the backup job against Vanderbilt. Buchanan completed 4 of 7 passes for 38 yards and picked up 18 yards rushing on the ground from two carries. He led the Rebels to a touchdown on his first drive of the game in the third quarter and seemed to have command of the offense from the time he stepped on the field.
It was his first SEC game and appearance of his career.
Head coach Hugh Freeze saw potential in Buchanan.
“Ryan looked very, very comfortable,” Freeze said. “He didn’t looked rattled at all for his first SEC game, did some things that don’t come natural. They came natural to him.”
Buchanan and redshirt freshman DeVante Kincade are both potential candidates to replace Bo Wallace as the starting quarterback for the 2015 season. Kincade was the only other quarterback besides Wallace against Boise State, as he had special packages made for him.
Buchanan got the majority of snaps for a backup quarterback Saturday against Vanderbilt. In the first appearance of his career, he felt confident.
“I felt great. It was something I was looking forward to. Something I’ve had on my mind for a long time,” Buchanan said. “If we went up in the Vandy game, I knew I might get my chance. Fortunately, I got my chance and made the most of it.”
Buchanan showed the poise and confidence of a starting quarterback when he led the offense for a touchdown in his first possession. At the same time, Buchanan feels there is more to improve on.
“I was satisfied that I drove the ball and that I got down near the end zone, but I’m not completely satisfied,” Buchanan said. “I know there is some stuff I can improve on. I have to correct on that and get ready for this week.”
There are not a lot of opportunities when it comes to being a backup. Every opportunity that someone back on the depth chart gets, they have to make the most of it. Buchanan knows his role and understands what he needs to do in order to thrive in his role.
“That’s huge, especially in being a backup position when you’re fighting for a position you don’t get many opportunities just to get in games and in games like these I just got to try and make the most of it,” he said.
Most people get nervous when it comes to playing in your first college football game. Buchanan thanks the Ole Miss defense for helping him prepare for his first game appearance.
“I felt pretty good. Going against our defense so much and our defense knows so much of our stuff because we go against them so much,” Buchanan said. “Going against an opponent for the first time, it honestly felt a lot easier. Our defense is so fast and going against them really helped me.”
The game this Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette should offer another opportunity for Buchanan and the other quarterbacks to get some playing time and establish themselves on the depth chart.
“That’s Coach Freeze’s decision. We’ll see,” Buchanan said about how much he’ll play Saturday. “If we go up, whether he puts me or KIncade in, it doesn’t really matter. If I get my opportunity, I’ll make the most of it.”
