What started as a competition has turned into a partnership that is poised to produce prolific results.
Luke Barthelmess and Tyler Mazur came to Lawrence University fall football practice set to battle for the starting quarterback job with the Vikings. After several weeks of practice, Barthelmess got the nod at quarterback, and Mazur moved to a starting spot at wide receiver.
“It is a show of their internal character that they went from competitive to cooperative,” Lawrence head coach Chris Howard said. “In the best interests of the team, we made the decision on the position, and we asked each one to support the other one.”
In the first two weeks of their quarterback/wide receiver partnership, all they are doing is leading the nation in various statistical categories. In the wake of Lawrence’s 62-42 victory at Knox last week, Mazur broke or tied three school records, and Barthelmess broke two school records and a Midwest Conference mark.
“What I think is really cool between Tyler and myself is that ever since last year when this started, we’ve had a professional approach to it and off the field we’re great friends,” said Barthelmess, who was 28 of 39 for a record 549 yards and a record six touchdowns against Knox. “It doesn’t make sense that we’re as close as we are.”
That symbiotic relationship that can build between quarterback and receiver is in effect between these two stellar athletes. Mazur, a triple threat catching, running or throwing the ball, caught eight passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns, which tied a school record. He also ran for another score to set records of five TDs and 30 points in a game.
“At the beginning of camp, I had the attitude I wanted to win the quarterback spot but overall I’m having fun playing football. I’ve embraced that idea. Luke and I have gotten to working really well together,” Mazur said.
“It’s a huge team effort. If they need me to try and catch the ball, that’s what I’m going to do. If they need me to come in for that wildcat package, I’ll do my best to score that way. I have fun doing it.”
With a receiving corps that also features Kaukauna’s Jon Bruehl, Green Bay’s Taylor Mandich, Sam Wagner and newcomer Dominque Dirden, the Vikings were looking to amass a potent offense. Throwing Mazur, with his versatility and stunning athletic ability, into the mix only sweetens the pot.
“We only have so many quality athletes and we can’t have quality athletes sitting on the bench,” Howard said in reference to Mazur. “In the past we’ve had talented individuals. In the past we had a guy or two guys, but we now have five or six bonafide playmakers. The issue is to spread the ball along and make them happy.”
Lawrence had nine different players catch a pass against Knox last Saturday in one of the most prolific offensive explosions in school history with 656 total yards.
“The whole object of the offense is to stress defenses in ways that we can rather than line up and pound people in ways that we can’t,” Howard said. “From a coaching world, we have a lot to work on but the path is developing. We have a certain vision of what we want our offense to be and we have a certain vision of what we want our defense to be. Our offense is closer to that vision right now.”
Barthelmess likes the progress the team has made in the opening two weeks, but he’s looking for more.
“I’m looking forward to it when things really start to sync up,” Barthelmess said. “Whenever this thing starts to really click, we might do some special things.”
Honors pour in
In the wake of the Vikings’ victory at Knox, Barthelmess, Mazur and kicker Cody Robel, an Appleton native, all picked up awards.
Mazur was named to both the D3football.com and Beyond Sports Network national teams of the week. Barthelmess also was chosen for the BSN team and was chosen as the MWC Offensive Player of the Week. Robel, who tied the school record by going 8-for-8 on PATs, was named the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Lawrence also leads the nation in passing offense (454 yards per game). Barthelmess leads the nation in passing yards per game (442) and total offense per game (495). Mazur is tops in the nation in scoring per game (21).
Bohrer chosen
Lawrence volleyball standout Clare Bohrer was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Vikings to a 3-2 mark on the week. Bohrer piled up 52 kills on the week and had a .159 hitting percentage. She also picked up 24 blocks, eight aces and 18 digs. She led the Vikings to a fifth-place finish at the UW-Oshkosh Classic and was named to the all-tournament team.
Larson nets award
Lawrence women’s tennis star Beth Larson was named the MWC Player of the Week after posting a perfect record at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. The senior from Maplewood, Minn., lost only five games total in singles as Lawrence defeated Dominican (Ill.), Edgewood and Lake Forest. She also teamed with Jenni Roesch for a 3-0 mark in doubles.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.