Kevin Glenn, the Illinois State career leader in passing and total offense, will be the starting quarterback for the Redbirds in the football opener against West Virginia Tech, Aug. 31. ISU head coach Denver Johnson announced the decision today.
Glenn, a senior from Detroit, emerged from a competition with sophomore Dusty Burk.
It was a great competition and we feel like we could have gone either way and had the same opportunity to win games, Johnson said. We just think that Kevins maturity and grasp of the new offense probably separated him from Dusty.
Glenn started the first six games last season, but suffered a season-ending knee injury against Indiana State on Oct. 9. Burk then started the final eight contests and led the Redbirds to a semi-final appearance in the NCAA I-AA playoffs. The Tuscola product completed 58.2% of his passes for 1,214 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
For his efforts, Burk was named the Gateway Football Conferences 1999 Freshman of the Year.
Dusty could play other positions for us, but right now I think hes too valuable at quarterback, Johnson said. Kevin will start, but Dusty will play. Hes a good player and he deserves to be on the field.
Glenn enters this season with 6,283 passing yards and 6,670 total yards. He has thrown 47 touchdowns and just 24 interceptions while posting a career completion percentage of 59.3.
Glenn said the decision did not provide any particular relief.
Were still competing every day and you still have to work every day to contribute to the team, he said. Dustys a great player and he will push me all the time. Were good friends off the field so this wont break up team unity or anything like that.
Glenn is anxious to return after last years injury.
I want to show the town of Bloomington-Normal and everyone else that I still have it, he said. It was hard being out last season. It was the first time I had ever been out of commission. Now I cherish every game. You dont know when it could all end, especially when youre a senior.
ISU is ranked No. 5 in The Sports Networks Preseason I-AA poll.
