Mack takes control of Thunder offence
Spencer Mack has waited patiently for his starring role with the Regina Thunder.
Now that it has arrived, the 20-year-old quarterback is vowing to just be part of the cast.
“I’m really excited, but I don’t feel like there’s a load on my shoulders because I have a job to do, just like the rest of the guys around me,” Mack said. “I know they’ll support me and I know the coaches are going to come up with a great plan.”
Mack began the season as the backup to Jaeden Marwick, who joined the Thunder for the 2014 PFC season after a stint with the BCFC’s Vancouver Island Raiders.
Mack got some action in relief early in the season, but was promoted to starter after Marwick suffered a suspected rib injury Sept. 28 against the Calgary Colts.
When the injury was rediagnosed as a punctured lung, Mack became the Thunder’s No. 1 pivot for the rest of the season. He’ll lead the team in the playoffs as it pursues its second straight conference and national titles — chases that resume Saturday with a PFC semifinal game against Calgary at Mosaic Stadium.
“From backup to starter, your mindset is going to change a little bit,” Mack said. “But I’m going to prepare every week like I always have and we’ll be just fine.
“The biggest dif ference (between starter and backup) is getting reps (in practice), but I always feel prepared. Even when I was the backup, I felt like I was extremely prepared because of the great plan our coaching staff has.”
Mack’s first extended playing time was in the Thunder’s regular-season game Sept. 6, when he relieved Marwick during the fourth quarter of Regina’s contest against the host Saskatoon Hilltops.
In limited playing time, Mack completed 13 of 21 pass attempts for 188 yards with two touchdowns as the Thunder rallied from a 25-6 deficit to win 26-25.
Marwick was back under centre for Regina’s game Sept. 14 against the Edmonton Wildcats, sending Mack to the bench. But the backup again took control of the offence after Marwick left the Calgary game — and Mack has played every minute since.
The product of the Luther Lions finished the regular season with 47 completions in 88 pass attempts for 594 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
He went 1-0-1 as the starter, helping the Thunder tie the Edmonton Huskies 27-27 on Oct. 5 and defeat the Winnipeg Rifles 26-18 in its regular-season finale Sunday.
Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay said Sunday that Mack was still adjusting to his expanding role — and the coaches were still adjusting to Mack, too.
“Each quarterback is different; the way you call plays for (former Thunder pivot) Asher Hastings is going to be different than how you call plays for Marwick and how you call plays for Spencer,” MacAulay said.
“Spencer had to get in the rhythm of things and get some experience, but our coaches had to get some experience with him, too. If you look at our play-calling with him compared to the other guys, it’s a little bit different. It puts him in a good situation to make plays.”
Mack admitted he’s a different quarterback than Marwick, whose athleticism and running ability were big parts of his game. While Mack can move if he has to, he’s known more for his ability to make good reads and throw the ball on time.
“My skill set is a little bit different and (the coaches) came up with a great scheme,” he said. “It definitely worked (against Winnipeg) and it’s going to work throughout the playoffs.”
In reality, Mack doesn’t think the Thunder’s approach will change a great deal in the playoffs.
With tailback Nick Brown back in the lineup, Regina likely will ride its running game for as long as it can — and the quarterback is OK with that plan.
“The only thing that truly matters right now is that national championship,” Mack said. “If we run the ball 60 times a game and we win, I’ll be happy.”