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FRANKLIN -
The heart of soccer country now has the former heart of Franklin Football.
"One of the coaches in Germany was looking for a quality American quarterback and he fit the profile," said Grizzlies head coach Mike Leonard of the new home for 2008 Grizzlies' starting quarterback Chad Rupp.
The Evansville native has found his home after college with the Schwaebisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League, following a 4,000-plus yard passing and 45 touchdown season in 2008.
See: Colts Make A Visit To Franklin College
So much so that Leonard needs two players to replace him, at least for now.
"Both of them know the system inside and out as juniors," said the coach of quarterbacks Kyle Ray and Nick Purichia, each of whom saw action in the first game against Baldwin Wallace and will likely split time again in their home opener Saturday against Butler.
"Our team really doesn't care," said Leonard of rotating the quarterbacks. "I polled a lot of guys, a lot of leaders on the team, mainly the offensive line, those are the guys that truly care about that."
"I think it can be a good thing having two guys."
Leonard has plenty of support for the decision at least based off the first game in Berea, Ohio. The two combined to hit 31-of-42 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in helping the offense put up 38 points in a seven point win over Baldwin Wallace.
"Its harder on the defense, because we're different styles of quarterback, and they have to adjust to us," said Ray of the opening game rotation.
The Indian Creek grad, who is the more of a tradtional drop-back passer, saw the bulk of the playing time last Saturday, completing 25-of-34 passes for 204 yards on three touchdowns along with the interception. Known more for his running ability, Purichia hit 6-of-8 passes for 57 yards.
"But each of us can do the other," said Purichia, who played high school football for Cardinal Ritter, of the two's abilities at the position. "I think we really compliment each other and I think its good for our offense."
See: More College Football News at IndySportsNation.com
Replacing Rupp, however, is not limited to numbers, as the was a mainstay for the team, winning the HCAC's MVP two years in a row and leading Franklin to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the D-III Playoff Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
"He had moxy," said Ray of Rupp's attributes beyond his passing. "He had the ability to make the big play and he was smart. He was a great quarterback and you really have to play good to replace him."
"Make good reads, make good decisions, just like he did."
"One of the coaches in Germany was looking for a quality American quarterback and he fit the profile," said Grizzlies head coach Mike Leonard of the new home for 2008 Grizzlies' starting quarterback Chad Rupp.
The Evansville native has found his home after college with the Schwaebisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League, following a 4,000-plus yard passing and 45 touchdown season in 2008.
See: Colts Make A Visit To Franklin College
So much so that Leonard needs two players to replace him, at least for now.
"Both of them know the system inside and out as juniors," said the coach of quarterbacks Kyle Ray and Nick Purichia, each of whom saw action in the first game against Baldwin Wallace and will likely split time again in their home opener Saturday against Butler.
"Our team really doesn't care," said Leonard of rotating the quarterbacks. "I polled a lot of guys, a lot of leaders on the team, mainly the offensive line, those are the guys that truly care about that."
"I think it can be a good thing having two guys."
Leonard has plenty of support for the decision at least based off the first game in Berea, Ohio. The two combined to hit 31-of-42 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in helping the offense put up 38 points in a seven point win over Baldwin Wallace.
"Its harder on the defense, because we're different styles of quarterback, and they have to adjust to us," said Ray of the opening game rotation.
The Indian Creek grad, who is the more of a tradtional drop-back passer, saw the bulk of the playing time last Saturday, completing 25-of-34 passes for 204 yards on three touchdowns along with the interception. Known more for his running ability, Purichia hit 6-of-8 passes for 57 yards.
"But each of us can do the other," said Purichia, who played high school football for Cardinal Ritter, of the two's abilities at the position. "I think we really compliment each other and I think its good for our offense."
See: More College Football News at IndySportsNation.com
Replacing Rupp, however, is not limited to numbers, as the was a mainstay for the team, winning the HCAC's MVP two years in a row and leading Franklin to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the D-III Playoff Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
"He had moxy," said Ray of Rupp's attributes beyond his passing. "He had the ability to make the big play and he was smart. He was a great quarterback and you really have to play good to replace him."
"Make good reads, make good decisions, just like he did."
