University of Charleston quarterback Mason Olszewski knows there's a difference between having control of an offense and having command of an offense. He feels he's had control of the Golden Eagles' offense. He knows where everyone needs to line up and where everyone needs to go.
This spring, though, he felt like he had a better command, that along with knowing were everyone should go, he can get them there.
The rising redshirt sophomore tossed a pair of touchdowns Thursday evening in UC's spring game, which drew praise from Golden Eagles head coach Pat Kirkland.
"He's a leader," Kirkland said. "He understands what we're doing offensively. With all the injuries we have right now, he's doing a good job of putting some of those young guys where they can be successful and they know what they're doing."
UC's spring game used a modified scoring system and split between offense and defense rather that two separate teams. The offense led the defense 51-33 before coaches set the scoreboard at 51-51 for the final 1:15 of the game. The defense came out ahead there, 57-54.
Olszewski's mission this spring was to step into the role vacated by Jeremy Johnson's graduation. In Johnson's one year as UC's starting quarterback, he earned All-Mountain East Conference second-team honors. Kirkland said, from what he's seen this spring, Olszewski has established himself as Charleston's starter.
"I hope I have," Olszewski said. "I think I had a decent spring game, so I hope that really propelled me into the offseason letting people know that I've busted my butt to get here and to get everyone's respect."
His first touchdown throw came in the second quarter on a drive where he didn't miss a pass. Olszewski went 5 for 5 for 67 yards in that span, capping the drive with a 25-yard scoring pass to Johnny Delahoussaey. The other score came in the third quarter, a 23-yard pass to 2015 All-MEC first-team receiver Joey Augustin. Olszewski went 2 for 2 for 41 yards on that drive and also scrambled for a 7-yard gain.
"It felt good," Olszewski said. "The speed of the game went well for us. All the timing plays we needed clicked perfectly. It was a good day for the offense."
Charleston entered last season planning for Johnson and Olszewski to share quarterbacking duties before Johnson secured the top job on the Golden Eagles' way to their first Division II playoff berth. Kirkland saw plenty Thursday night and throughout the spring that showed him Olszewski was ready to step to the forefront.
"He's got such a good skill set," Kirkland said. "He's become much more of a pocket passer. He's so dangerous with his feet and I think he really did a good job of taking what the defense gave him."
Olszewski's teammates also noticed his rising comfort level, and that has them excited for what could come this fall, when UC tries to improve on last year's 10-2 record.
"In the beginning, I don't think he was used to being that leader," Augustin said. "But I've seen it several times, when he calls the huddle, he commands the huddle. When he calls the play, he wants it the way he wants it. It's fun to see him grow and progress."