Joey D. Richards

We're halfway through the regular season, and the Abilene Christian football team is still trying to figure out who's going to be its full-time quarterback.

The Wildcats used three different quarterbacks last week against Eastern New Mexico. Starter Zach Stewart threw two interceptions, including one that was returned 61 yards for a touchdown. Then Mitchell Gale, who had overtaken Clark Harrell as the team's No. 2 quarterback, had a part in two fumbles near the Wildcat goal line in the first half that led to two Greyound touchdowns. Stewart returned at quarterback in the second half, but threw his second pick -- one returned for a TD.

Both Stewart and Gale made some nice throws in the game, including a 38-yard touchdown pass from Stewart to Edmund Gates. But the miscues really hurt the team, too. Harrell wasn't overwhelming either, but did lead the team to two field goals.

ACU coach Chris Thomsen said he and offensive coordinator/QB coach Ken Collums met with the three quarterbacks earlier in the week.

"We told them, 'We don't need anybody to be Peyton Manning. We need somebody to be consistent,'" Thomsen said. "'We're a good enough team defensively and in the run game and in the kicking game that if we get consistent quarterback play, we have a chance to win every game we're in. That's what we're striving for. We need those guys to be consistent. We don't need them to be spectacular."

Thomsen said some of the blame can be put on the receivers, who must run better routes, and the offensive line, which has had some breakdowns at time. In fact, one of Gale's fumbles came as he was being sacked.

"The protection hasn't been as good as it needs to be at times," Thomsen said. "That causes problems with the quarterback as well."

The Wildcats were lucky to overcome an 11-point deficit in the second half last week against Eastern New Mexico. The defense played a key role in the comeback, setting up for some short-yardage drives for touchdowns.

But Thomsen said the team can't keep putting so much pressure on the defense.

"I knew our offense would be a work in progress," he said. "We're very fortunate to be 5-0. But the offense has got to come on if we're going to continue to win."

The Wildcat offense should be able to work out its problems against winless East Central on Saturday in Ada, Okla., and it must get better with big games against Lone Star Conference South Division teams looming the rest of the way.