BOCA RATON – With last season’s starting quarterback and Conference USA Co-Freshman of the Year Chris Robison indefinitely suspended and not a part of the spring practices, Florida Atlantic’s quarterback battle is currently down to two.
Indiana transfer Nick Tronti and Fort Scott Community College transfer Justin Agner are currently stuck in a neck-and-neck quarterback competition, with neither being the clear answer under center for the Owls.
While both started and played in a majority of Saturday’s (April 13) spring game, neither Tronti or Agner were able to seperate themselves. Both of them struggled with their accuracy early on before picking up some steam late.
“I thought they started slow and made some mistakes,” head coach Lane Kiffin said about the quarterback performances in the spring game. “They played better in the second half.”
Tronti, who is the 2016 Mr. Florida recipient, represents the roster’s only quarterback with any form of in-game collegiate experience with the Owls. He got playing time late in a blowout victory over Bethune-Cookman.
Even though Tronti battled some inaccuracy early on, he looked significantly more comfortable in the second half, completing 9 of his 16 passes for 96 yards. Overall, Tronti finished the game completing 16 of 32 attempts for 160 yards and a touchdown to tight end Harrison Bryant in the first half.
“I felt good about the plays and where I needed to go with the ball,” Tronti said. “Accuracy just wasn’t there at some parts of the game.”
On the Gray team for the Owls was Agner.
Much like Tronti, he has limited FBS experience. But he is the only quarterback currently battling for the job who has thrown a pass at the FBS level, when he completed eight passes for 64 yards against Penn State in 2016.
Agner finished the game completing 12 of his 32 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another 44 yards on the ground.
Throughout the game, Agner had a clear connection with wideout John Mitchell. The two combined for 148 yards and two scores, including a 71-yard touchdown pass that helped spark a second-half comeback.
“I knew we were going to have to take shots and we scored on one,” Agner said. “I think that started the momentum in the second half.”
Immediately following the game, Agner had a wrap on his arm with an apparent hand injury. However, Agner was quick to shoot anything down, saying the injury did not affect his performance.
“I threw Thursday with the glove on and I got used to it,” said Agner. “I thought I threw well Thursday and didn’t throw well enough today.”
While Robison still has a chance of returning and becoming the starter, it seems as if Agner and Tronti are ahead of Robison at this current point.
Photos: 2018 FAU Spring game
