Everyone likes a good quarterback controversy. Although Iowa State’s situation may not be a controversy, the competition for the starting spot between redshirt sophomore Austin Flynn and redshirt freshman Bret Meyer is fierce.

Two weeks into practice, the starter has yet to be determined. Flynn fought redshirt senior Cris Love for the position last season, and he eventually won the spot and started for more than half of the season.

“Just to see the game speed, see different kinds of coverages and just a year of experience has helped me tremendously and I’ve noticed that over the spring, summer and now,” Flynn said.

While Flynn was spending the year playing on the game field, Meyer was perfecting his game on the practice field.

“I learned about how the game is played and I got to see some defenses and work with the offense,” Meyer said.

Each took his knowledge in the game and combined it with other training in the offseason, knowing he would vie for the starting position this year.

“I just worked as hard as I could in the weight room,” Meyer said. “I also watched some extra film.”

Flynn prepared much the same way.

“That was get stronger, get faster, get bigger,” he said. “I just had to get in and watch film, go on seven-on-seven when we had it and just improve one thing every day.”

Only one quarterback can get the starting nod. Both players are confident.

“My chances of starting are just as good as Bret’s,” Flynn said. “We’re on the same line and we’re working hard, competing real hard right now. It’s just that good competition; it raises everyone’s level. Whoever starts, we know that the backup will be ready to go, if it’s me or him.”

Meyer said he’s feeling good about his opportunity to contribute to the team.

“I’m a confident person, and I feel I’m going to start,” Meyer said. “You have to feel that way. You can’t go into it saying that you’re not going to start.”

Head coach Dan McCarney said he is optimistic about this season’s quarterback prospects and the competition.

“I feel better walking out there than I did at any time last year,” McCarney said. “We’ll see how they compete, who moves the chains, who leads, who gets into the end zone, who elevates the play of the people around him, who brings a spark to the football team, will determine who starts.”

Being able to handle the pressure of being a leader on the team is imperative for whoever gets the quarterback spot, and Flynn thinks that is an advantage for him.

“Everyone has respect for me and Bret,” Flynn said. “I think just getting in there and just leading the team —— not that Bret can’t lead the team and won’t lead the team if I’m not in there, [but] my leadership will help out.”

Meyer said being in charge is important as a leader, and he trusts his abilities.

“I definitely want to have control over the offense. I like to have control over everything else,” Meyer said.

Even though a quarterback competition sometimes causes problems, Flynn and Meyer said they think that the competition is a good thing and that it will help both of them.

“Day in and day out you’ve got to focus on what needs to be done to help the team,” Meyer said. “You really cherish something that you have earned.”

Although the competition for the spot is fierce, Flynn said that he and Meyer remain friends. He said that they both know that what happens on the field is not taken personally.

“Everyone wants to think that we’re big-time rivals and we hate each other off the field and on the field, and that’s not how it is,” Flynn said. “We help each other out daily, and we’re good friends off the field.

Flynn said the only negative of having a quarterback competition may be that there is not one definite guy.

“No one has really run the [first-team offense] the whole time, so the team can’t get used to just one guy,” Flynn said. “Different receivers are looking for different spots. Hopefully, it won’t matter, and whoever we throw in there will be all right.”

Not only is the quarterback position young this year, but most skill positions on offense are also young. Flynn said it is time for younger players who gained experience last year to mature.

“We need to start, not necessarily being a veteran, but getting pretty close to that spot and lifting this team the best that we can,” Flynn said.

Youth and inexperience will lead to mishaps, but Meyer said that it could be beneficial in the long run.

“Yeah, we’ll make some mistakes, but everyone makes mistakes,” Meyer said. “I wouldn’t really call them growing pains though, I’d call it more gaining experience.”