With Stilley out, redshirt Gunn ready for his turn at starting quarterback
It’s Tye Gunn’s job at quarterback for the time being, and his coaches and teammates all have faith in him.
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

All season head coach Gary Patterson wanted to get redshirt freshman Tye Gunn experience in games so he would be ready in case senior Sean Stilley was unable to go.

That time is now.

A separated shoulder has forced Stilley to the sidelines and Gunn into the huddle. Now, after just 12 attempted passes and 49 rushing yards in his collegiate career, Gunn is the man all his coaches and teammates are looking to at quarterback.

Gunn said that with last week’s bye preparing for the role was less of a burden.

“(The off week) helped a lot,” Gunn said. “You get to see (Houston) on film and scout them better. It also lets me get more reps against our defense, which really helps me out a lot.”

The change in the lineup couldn’t have come at a more critical time, since the remainder of the team’s games are against conference opponents.

However, Gunn is no stranger to pressure situations. In high school the quarterback led LaGrange to two Texas Class 3A Division II State Championships.

Patterson said Gunn is not lacking confidence.

“It’s his time,” Patterson said. “I really haven’t seen him act any different. He’s a kid that from the very beginning if you ask him, he’d say ‘I’m just waiting for my chance.’ Maybe inside he’s more excited, but at least on the outside watching him, he hasn’t acted any different.”

Patterson said Gunn showed poise for a freshman.

“In the North Texas game, he knew coming in how they were playing defense,” Patterson said. “He talked to Coach (Dick) Winder and he said, ‘I’m not going to do anything stupid.’ You’re talking about a freshman that hasn’t played any ballgames. He’s smart enough to know how the game was going, and knew when it was his chance to make plays.”

The Frogs are a team with experience. Senior defensive tackle John Turntine said it’s their responsibility to help pick up the slack to help Gunn out.

“When you got a leader like Stilley on and off the field, you hate to see something like that,” Turntine said. “On the defense, what we have to do is try to give our offense an advantage by giving them a short field, so we don’t have to keep Tye thinking that much.”