As each vies for a higher percentage of snaps, it is natural for the rivalry between McNeese State quarterbacks Daniel Sams and Tyler Bolfing to grow.

Or maybe not.

“Happy birthday (Daniel Sams) hope it’s a good one!” Bolfing tweeted to his teammate on Wednesday.

The quarterbacks have learned to coexist off the field and while alternating as McNeese’s signal caller.

“The relationship’s been good. Daniel has meshed with the quarterbacks just fine,” Bolfing said. “Daniel’s a great kid. We’re trying to push each other each and every week. We want 100 percent of the snaps. I’m sure we’re all frustrated we didn’t play more than what we did (last week).”

That frustration is manifested in a positive way. Rather than complain about playing time, the quarterbacks are trying to match each other.

“That’s something Daniel has brought to the quarterback room, is competition,” Bolfing said. “It’s a lot of fun to be in there every single day. We have a lot of fun. But when we strap it up we know it’s a war and we want to get the snaps. But it’s excellent as far as the camaraderie we’ve had.”

Sams has been through this before.

Last year he split time at Kansas State for most of the season before becoming the definitive backup by year’s end, then was moved to receiver in the spring before deciding to transfer to McNeese.

Sams said he is handling the dual arrangement better than he did in Manhattan, Kansas.

“I have experience with letting stuff get to me when I was at Kansas State,” Sams said. “Feeling I always had to go in and make a big play. ‘This guy could come in behind me and make something happen.’ It really hindered my game. Now I just think about making plays. Who cares who comes in the next series?”

Interestingly, it is the advice of former coach Bill Snyder that put Sams in the proper mental state for his present situation.

“Just focus on the task at hand,” Sams said. “Coach Snyder used to say ‘1-0.’ Just try to win every play, every snap.”

Even the snaps taken by the other quarterback.

It would be easy to fall into chitchat with teammates, or maybe get a good look at which fans are dressed in their Saturday’s best while standing on the sidelins. Instead, both say they watch the game as if they are playing.

“I play every single play mentally whether I’m in the game or standing on the sidelines watching,” Bolfing said. “It’s 100 percent focus. It has to be. If my number is called on and I don’t perform well, I may lose my chance next week or later in the football game. I have to be zeroed in the entire football game.”

That is the only way to make sure there is no drop-off when each quarterback tags back in.

“Whenever our number is called we’re ready to compete and keep the offense rolling where the last guy left off, if not do better,” Sams said. “Control the drive, be the leader of this offense. Whoever is in there, that’s what the focus should be.”

Though they do it in different ways, Bolfing and Sams have had similar success moving the offense. Bolfing has passed for twice as many yards as Sams, but Sams’ running ability gives him a 121-102 edge on Bolfing in average total yards per game.

Bolfing has led eight scoring drives, while Sams has accounted for five. And then there was the collaborative effort at Nebraska — Sams led the offense 82 yards down the field before Bolfing took over in the goal-line package and scored a 1-yard touchdown.

With McNeese playing a soft schedule after the Nebraska game, some potential scenarios have yet to be encountered.

How much will Sams’ role grow as he gets more familiar with the offense? Who will be the man when the Cowboys face a 2-minute drill when they must score? Is it possible Bolfing would be used to mount a comeback in regulation, then Sams inserted for overtime because his skill set makes him a dual threat inside the 25?

Those situations are the ones where egos could be bruised and feelings actually hurt. But for now, both quarterbacks are operating under the premise that it takes two of them to make McNeese better.

“I just trust in the coaching staff and know this is a great football team,” Bolfing said. “They’re going to do what they need to do to put ourselves in a position to win.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman