The question for coach Steve Mooshagian, who kicked-off his fourth season with the Hornets in a 45-0 loss at Boise State last Thursday, is which set of hands will be taking control of their game this season.

“We’ve never really had the clear-cut guy that we’ve needed, and we’re trying to get to that point of having one guy,” Mooshagian said. “It can create a sense of uncomfortableness.”

Quarterback Tim Brockwell, a junior college transfer, got the starting nod at Boise, making him the sixth different quarterback Sacramento State has started during Mooshagian’s tenure. Returning junior Crosby Wehr finished the game after Brockwell threw two interceptions against a stout Boise defense.

Despite being shutout by Boise, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/receivers coach Scott Criner has confidence in both Brockwell and Wehr.

“Tim’s style of football is he has to manage the game, he just hasn’t hit that rhythm yet,” Criner said. “Mentally, he’s done a good job, he just hasn’t got accustomed to the speed of the game. It’s not unusual for a (junior college) transfer to go through that. He’ll be fine. I’m not really worried about it.”

“The other night (Crosby) was able to handle the pressure, the speed didn’t phase him, he made good decisions, and he had mobility that Brockwell didn’t have,” Criner said.

There’s a third piece to the Hornets’ quarterback puzzle in junior Marcel Marquez, who is ineligible to take the field due to a transcript-transfer hold. Ideally, according to Criner, Marquez would be the starter.

“For what we want to do, Marcel has the most tools. He probably has the strongest arm of the three, he has the mobility to get on the perimeter and make plays, and has good vision down field,” Criner said.

With a bye this week, Wehr is set to start on Sept. 16 at home versus Cal Poly with Brockwell as the No. 2, all hinging on Marquez’s situation waiting to be cleared, Criner said. The bye comes at a crucial point for Mooshagian and his staff, giving them invaluable extra practice time to sort out their quarterback carousel and await word on Marquez’s eligibility.

“I’m never one to have people feel sorry for themselves. We have to find out what’s best for the football team. We feel we have enough talent around them that we can be successful,” Mooshagian said.

“It’s not the ideal situation, but thank god for the schedule-makers for giving us 16 days to settle it.”

Josh Terrell can be reached at [email protected]