Hempel saw considerable playing time during the annual spring game last Saturday, leading his Crimson team on 11 individual drives. The rising junior finished 13-for-22 for 113 yards, spreading the ball around to several different receivers. His best throw came on a 23-yard completion down the sideline to rising junior receiver Seitu Smith.

"[In the spring game] you have real fans; you're actually having real drives," Hempel said. "Practices are normally scripted, so you know what plays you're going to be running, but this is all purely a game situation. So the more experience you can get, the better."

Pruneau, still recovering from his ACL injury, did not appear in the spring game, but instead remained on the sideline next to Murphy and occasionally relayed plays in. The rising senior has been rehabbing throughout the entire spring semester, and he has avoided full contact drills.

"[The recovery has] come along great," Pruneau said. "I'm feeling almost 100 percent. At this point, I'm trying to gain full strength back in my leg. The rehab process is coming to an end here…. At some point during the summer I'll be back to full health."

Although Pruneau has not been able to practice at full speed in 11-on-11 situations, he has certainly worked hard throughout the spring season. Both he and Hempel have repeatedly shown up early for morning practice to watch film and get in extra reps.

In the end, both QBs agree that the competition for the starting job can only help the team in the months leading up to the fall.

"We feed off of each other; we motivate each other," Hempel said. "Mike's a great quarterback, and I really enjoy being around him and in meetings with him. We study film together with [offensive coordinator Joel] Lamb. It's a healthy competition, and it's making the team better."