By Steven Shaff, NAU Media Relations
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Junior quarterback Cary Grossart grew up with a football in his hands but it took four years before he was handed the ball for the Lumberjacks. He is taking advantage of the opportunity this season, becoming one of the most efficient players in the conference and the country.
"He is doing the things we have asked him to do," said Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback coach Brian Lindgren. "He is very efficient with the football and throws a real catchable ball. He is a very accurate passer and his decision making has been very good."
Grossart had thrown only four passes in three years before starting for the first time at Arizona to start the 2011 season. He completed 16 straight passes at one point in the first half against the Wildcats, two short of the school record set by Jeff Lewis of 18 in 1995 against Northridge, and his 76.7 completion percentage was the best by NAU quarterback in his first start in the last 35 years.
"For him to make his first start at Arizona and to put up those numbers is a credit to his work ethic for the last three years," said Lindgren.
Grossart grew up playing soccer and basketball but gravitated to the football field in eighth grade.
"I wanted to be a quarterback," said Grossart. "It was not easy because I was little. I ended up learning a lot and played some high school ball in Folsom. My coaches there were awesome and I thank them for where I am today. I have had a lot of support with football from people in my life."
Grossart signed with NAU out of Folsum High School outside of Sacramento, where was chosen Delta League offensive most valuable player after throwing for 3,046 yards with 22 touchdowns in 10 games as senior. He ranked fifth in California and 21st in the country in total offensive yards, setting school records for career and season passing yards, as well as career total yards.
"He has really good feet and a moxie about how he competed and handled himself under fire," said Lindgren of what they saw on his recruiting tape. "It really popped off the tape. He was really in control of the game and had a confidence about how he played."
When he arrived in 2008, NAU had added Mississippi transfer Mike Herrick to the roster and ASU transfer Chase Stangel after Grossart's redshirt season in 2008. The competition was stacked and he wanted more than the mental reps from the sideline.
"I thought I was going to be the next guy," said Grossart of his career path. "Obviously Chase came in and it really was for the better. It made me compete and really start to focus. Instead of just accepting I was the guy, it made me play better. There were some times in the last year to sit on the sideline was tough. (I wondered) am I going to get to play?"
Grossart was third on the depth chart in 2010 and watched Stengal fill in when Herrick was injured last season.
"I was real pleased with the way he handled that," said Lindgren. "He came into a situation when we had a couple transfers and he was still very young and was not quite ready to go yet. He took it well and showed up to work every day, waiting his time and learned from everything. I am real pleased with how he has progressed."
Grossart stuck with it, leaning on the support of his football family.
Grossart's uncle played at Missouri and his father was the quarterback at Oregon State before playing in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets in the early 80's
"My dad is awesome for having someone to talk to and fall back on at the end of the day because he has been there before," said Grossart. "I have always had a love of football and it has always been in the Grossart family."
The family support is important to Grossart.
"My mom knows more football than a lot of moms do," said Grossart. "I have had a football in my hand since I was little. I have had so much fun playing quarterback. It is fun to follow in the footsteps of my dad and have that special connection. It is fun to have that bond with my dad."
Grossart threw a pass in only one game last season but was ready to see his action on the field and seize his opportunity to win the job entering a new season.
"I made some progress in spring," said Grossart. "In the summer and training camp, I started to make a push. It is my time. I got feedback from players and I was ready to go.
His early success against Arizona in the first half made it look easy. But it has been anything easy taking over the starting position without any game experience and learning on the job.
Grossart, who is majoring in communication studies with a minor in electronic media and film, has had success and failures in the first six games. He threw for 323 yards at Portland State and 355 against Eastern Washington. But an interception while driving for the go ahead score against the Eagles soured a 31-for-38 performance. He led the Lumberjacks to a win over Idaho State running and passing the ball. And he opened the game at third-ranked Montana State with a long scoring drive and connected on a 79-yard scoring strike to Khalil Paden to keep NAU in the game in the third quarter.
"I have played well in certain games and obviously there are things I thought I would do better," said Grossart. "You envision it to always be perfect but I have learned a lot. I am at a point I am going into the games more confident and have a better feel for what is going to go on."
Grossart has thrown for 1,833 yards with 11 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He completed 68 percent of his passes and ranks first in the conference and fourth in the FCS in passing efficiency at 168.3.
Grossart is looking forward to playing in front of his hometown this weekend.
"Going back to Sacramento is one I have circled," said Grossart. "It is a special one. There will be a lot of people supporting me there and have wanted to see me play. It is one I want to perform well and I know I am going to play well in the game against those guys."
He will have the ball Saturday.
