We know Phillip Bates can catch the ball, but can he throw it?

On Saturday, ISU fans will get the answer to that and an exam book full of questions when the Cyclones take the field for the first time at their annual spring football game.

“I’m pretty excited,” Bates said. “It’s always a dream come true. You committed to this school because you wanted to come out here and show these fans and show everybody that you can make a difference at Iowa State.”

Despite never taking a snap under center, Bates has already made a lasting impact on ISU fans. The sophomore backup quarterback hauled in a 38-yard fourth-quarter reception to help set up Bret Culbertson’s game-winning field goal in the Cyclones’ 15-13 win over Iowa last season. But this season, he’s only calling the plays.

“I grew up playing quarterback, and I love playing quarterback,” he said. “I helped the team last year, and now I get to do what I like to do.”

Whether that means starting or playing a reserve role remains to be seen. Bates has shared snaps throughout the spring season with redshirt sophomore Austen Arnaud. Arnaud, a backup to Bret Meyer last season, saw some playing time last season, completing 20-of-37 passes for 267 yards in six games.

In Saturday’s offense vs. defense scrimmage, he’ll be sharing the play-calling duties again, this time with Bates, only now with game experience.

“It’s confidence for me,” Arnaud said. “For me, playing time is the most important thing. Practice is great, but when the bullets are flying, what are you going to do?”

Both players will have plenty of ammunition coming their way during Saturday’s game. The offense vs. defense matchup will include 75 to 100 plays and another chance for players to earn starting spots for next season. The first-team offense and second-team defense will face the second-team offense and first-team defense.

“They’re going to know this isn’t a dog-and-pony show for us to go out and try to impress people in the stands,” said Cyclones coach Gene Chizik. “Right now, we’re fighting for jobs. There will be jobs on the line that day.”

And bragging rights. After playing four scrimmages leading up to it, Saturday’s game will break a two-all tie for both squads, who won’t return to Jack Trice Stadium until the Cyclones open the 2008 season on Aug. 28 against South Dakota State.

Scoring for the game will vary, with each team being awarded points for certain goals being met.

Offensively, Chizik said he hopes to see more consistency out of both his quarterbacks.

“They need to grow, but they’re learning in the classroom, they’re getting it better in the classroom, and again, the more reps that we can give them, the better they’re going to be,” Chizik said. “That’s why scrimmage time is so valuable.”

And while both players will be taking the field Saturday, the second-year coach hasn’t ruled out using both of them throughout the season.

“Whatever one of them brings to the table, we feel like can move out club, then we’ll put them in there and do that,” he said.

Bates just wants to show fans he’s more than a wide receiver.

“They haven’t seen me play,” Bates said. “The last time I played quarterback I was in high school and everybody got to see me. Now, I’m just getting a chance to show everybody what I can do.”