GLIAC football teams don't thrown the ball as much as other D2 football teams — not through the first two weeks of the season at least. They average 25.6 pass attempts per game, the fewest of any conference in D2 football.
However, when GLIAC quarterbacks do put the ball in the air, they are effective. GLIAC quarterbacks have the highest touchdown percentage of any conference (7.66) and the lowest interception percentage (1.72). The GLIAC is also the only league averaging better than eight yards per attempt this season.
But which of these accomplished signal callers is the best? You tell us.
Cast your vote in the poll below, and share with friends so they can vote as well. We will leave it open until Friday at 1 p.m. Central Time, at which point we will announce a winner on our D2 football Twitter handle (@HEROSportsD2FB).
Let's get to it.[divider]
Travis Tarnowski – Ashland
[credit]Tom E. Puskar/Ashland Athletics[/credit]
Six D2 football quarterbacks have thrown double-digit touchdowns this season. Two of those six have done so without throwing a single interception: Amir Hall from Bowie State, and Travis Tarnowski.
The senior quarterback already owns the all-time Ashland records for touchdown passes and (as of last weekend) passing yards, and has his sights set on more. He's the only quarterback in the GLIAC averaging over 300 passing yards per game.[divider]
Ryan Conklin – Saginaw Valley
[credit]
Michael Randolph/Saginaw Valley Athletics[/credit]
Sophomore Saginaw Valley quarterback Ryan Conklin has been deadly efficient this season. Not only does he have the second best completion percentage of any QB in the GLIAC (70.42), he has the highest average yards per attempt as well (11.2).
In fact, his 11.2-yard average is the second best in all of D2 football (among QBs who have attempted at least 50 passes). [divider]
Reggie Bell – Ferris State
[credit]Ferris State Athletics[/credit]
It's only been two games, but if you include rushing totals, Reggie Bell has the highest yards per game average of any quarterback in GLIAC football. Bell averages 230 yards per game through the air and 120 yards on the ground, both of which rank third in the GLIAC. He's scored nine total touchdowns without a single interception in the Bulldogs' first two games, both wins.[divider]
Bart Williams – Grand Valley State
Bart Williams is pretty good at this whole football thing. He was one of the most efficient passers in D2 football last season and pretty much picked up where he left off through three games so far.
Williams has thrown seven touchdowns with no interceptions through three games so far, and still hasn't lost a conference game since Halloween night of 2015. [divider]
Nick Watson – Tiffin
[credit]
Tiffin Athletics[/credit]
Watson's stats aren't as gaudy as some of the other GLIAC quarterbacks', but the youngest player on our list has played well in his first three starts. He's completed 47 of 80 passes for 561 yards, three touchdowns and a single interception, and added a further 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. [divider]
DJ Zezula – Wayne State
[credit]Wayne State Athletics[/credit]
Of the 134 D2 football quarterbacks who have attempted at least 50 passes this season, none have thrown touchdowns more often than DJ Zezula. He's thrown nine touchdowns in just 54 attempts, for a touchdown percentage of 16.67.
His completion percentage of 72.2 is also the best in the conference. [divider]
Jaranta Lewis – Northern Michigan
Last season, Lewis racked up 484 yards and three touchdowns as a wide receiver. Now he's the one throwing the passes.
His first two starts were pretty rough — both losses. But those were the first two starts of the senior's career at the quarterback position. He'll need a couple games to get his bearings but will certainly improve as the season rolls on.[divider]
Jake Brown – Michigan Tech
[credit]Michigan Tech Athletics[/credit]
Jake Brown's 5.9 yards per pass attempt don't exactly jump off the page, but his 5.1 yards per carry on the ground sure do. He has completed 38 of 68 passes for 398 yards this season, and added a further 107 yards on the ground.[divider]