MTSU QB a dual threat

TROY – Middle Tennessee offensive coordinator Tony Franklin won’t be bringing former Troy star quarterback Omar Haugabook with him to Troy next Tuesday night, though it might seem like it.

Franklin, Troy’s offensive coordinator in 2006-07, had great success with Haugabook, a dual-threat passer and runner who won the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year award in those two seasons.

Now that he’s back in the Sun Belt, Franklin has a similar weapon in junior Dwight Dasher. Dasher is a big reason the Blue Raiders (3-1, 1-0 Sun Belt) have been successful, as he’s second in the league in passing (257 yards per game, seven touchdowns, five interceptions) and fifth in the league in rushing (62.8 ypg, three touchdowns.)

Middle Tennessee plays at Troy (2-2, 1-0) Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

“He’s a very talented kid with great raw ability,” Franklin said. “He’s listed at 5-10, but he’s probably 5-8 and a half. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, very coachable and does all the little things to make himself better.”

Dasher has thrived in his first full year as a starter, but said he had some growing up to do after last season. He made an impact as a freshman in 2007, throwing for 1,148 yards and running for 530 in six starts, but took a back seat to senior Joe Craddock last year as Craddock had a fine senior season.

“Coach Franklin got me better with my footwork, because I had bad footwork,” Dasher said. “He helped me out on my personality. I had a rough year last year because I had to be patient, but Coach Franklin helped me become a better leader off the field.”

Dasher’s best effort this year was in a 32-31 win at Maryland, when he threw for 324 yards. In a Sun Belt win at North Texas last week, Dasher threw for 269 yards and ran for 75.

“Some guys are just good quarterbacks,” Franklin said. “Dwight is a good football player.”

Franklin found similarities in the games of Dasher and Haugabook, but said they are different off the field.

“Omar was all hype before the game and you could tell when he was going to break out,” Franklin said. “Dwight would be the same before the national championship game as he is on a Thursday afternoon practice.

“The good thing about both of them is that they’re good players who can throw and make plays with their feet.”