Sam Richardson is in full control.

For the first time in the past few seasons, there is no battle for the position of starting quarterback. This time, Richardson has the job locked up.

But as for who will back him up, that’s where things get interesting.

The battle for No. 2 comes down to redshirt junior Grant Rohach and redshirt sophomore Joel Lanning, and it’s heating up.

“The competition has elevated both of their levels of play, and you can see it when they get the reps,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “We were doing a fast paced drill, and one of them took the first four reps and the other one came in and tapped his shoulder and said, ‘I got the next four.’”

Rohach, a Moorpark, Calif., native, has some experience under his belt for the Cyclones. He competed in two games last season and started the final four games in 2013, leading the Cyclones to back-to-back conference wins that season.

Rohach had his shot for the starting job last fall camp, but eventually lost the position battle to Richardson. But now, in his second year under offensive coordinator Mark Mangino’s system, Rohach said he feels a lot more comfortable out on the field.

“I think just my decision making, you can always get better at that,” Rohach said. “I’m gonna continue to make mistakes at that area, but I think I’ve decreased my amount of mental errors. I think I’ve also done a better job of being more comfortable out there.”

Lanning, though, has been making some moves for the second spot on the depth chart. The Ankeny, Iowa native hasn’t had any game experience for the Cyclones, but coaches and players alike say that he has one of the best arms on the team.

“He’s very skilled as a passer,” Rhoads said. “I think if you polled the coaches or even the players, they might say, ‘Well Joel throws the best ball.’ But you’ve got to have that complete package, and that’s where I think he’s advanced the most.”

Rhoads said that the biggest improvement he’s seen in Lanning recently has been above his shoulders, saying that he is finally starting to understand the mental aspect of the game more consistently.

And after taking notice in the meeting rooms the last two seasons, Lanning agrees.

“Last year, I was younger and didn’t really understand what I need to do to prepare myself,” Lanning said. “I think going through a 2-10 season last year and seeing what Sam and Grant go through to prepare helped me. It’s making me focus a lot more.”

But either way the battle turns out, Rohach and Lanning agree that they will both be better players by the end of it.

“It’s awesome; It’s heated,” Richardson said. “It’s two guys I know very well doing everything they can to get on the field. They are great competitors and great players and will be on the field eventually.”