Young takes the reins

Southern Miss junior Martevious Young was kicked back on his couch Sunday watching football when the phone call he'd been waiting on for three days finally came.


With starter Austin Davis injured, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound redshirt junior from Alexander City, Ala. was told he would get the start at quarterback Saturday against Louisville.


He didn't want to see Davis go down, but he knows what he has to do now.


"Basically, I thought what I've thought all season," Young said Monday. "I knew this was just one play away and I'd have to step up and play."


Now the second-string quarterback has been thrust into the spotlight, and faces scrutiny from fans and the inevitable comparisons to Davis, who set several single-season school passing records as a freshman last year.


But Young and Davis are close, and Young said the sophomore is doing everything he can to help Young thrive as the starter.


"We kind of got close from last year, me being number 2," Young said. "He told me Sunday in the team meeting to stay comfortable, relax and go do what I have been doing all year."


Two years ago, Young drew a start against Rice after backup quarterback Steven Reeves struggled in the starting role, but broke his leg on the third play from scrimmage.


"I don't think I'll be too nervous because I've had that first snap as a starter before," Young said. "But this could be my time to step up and play and I'm not really thinking about being nervous."


This year, he has completed three of his six attempts for 16 yards and rushed five times for 37 yards.


Southern Miss offensive coordinator Darryl Wyatt explained that the main difference between Davis and Young is while Davis brings experience, Young has a stronger arm.


"The thing with Martevious is his talent has never been in question," Wyatt said. "(Quarterbacks) coach (Blake) Anderson has done an outstanding job with him, he's really improved decision making and I'm looking forward to a great week of practice."


Young will transition to the starting role this week, and boost his repetitions in practice from his usual 35 percent of the snaps to roughly 70 percent.