This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Think about it: You dream every day of being a starting quarterback, of directing the huddle, of making the game-winning pass. It all comes true — all of it.
And then you have to give the job back.
That's Mike Bercovici's story.
No. 15 Arizona State needed Bercovici after starter and one-time Heisman dark horse Taylor Kelly suffered a foot fracture that sidelined him for a month. All the junior did in his three starts was throw for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns against two picks (and both interceptions were in his first game against UCLA).
Against USC, he delivered the memorable finish of the year when he threw a successful Hail Mary to Jaelen Strong for the win.
For the season, he's completing 62 percent of his passes. And it's up in the air if he'll complete another.
Unlike Utah's quarterback controversy, there's not much drama in Tempe. When Kelly was healthy enough to play against Washington, he started. And the reason there's not any tension is mostly because of Bercovici himself, and his willingness to step aside.
"I know what my role is," Bercovici said in an interview with The Tribune. "It's not about me, it's about the 120 guys out there every day. We're trying to get wins as a team, and whatever I can do to help that, that's what I'll do."
For No. 18 Utah this week, that means drilling once again as the back-up, a job he's become quite familiar with for two-and-a-half seasons. He and Kelly are both preparing for game action, but if all goes well, he'll be helping calling plays from the sideline.
Sure, Bercovici said, he thinks he did a good job as a quarterback. So it'll work out great next year, when he's expected to be the top guy.
"Taylor's a senior, he's a leader on this team, and I respect that," Bercovici said. "We're both pretty selfless guys. When I was playing, he was my biggest supporter, now I'm his. Next year, I'll get to know what it's like as a senior starter."
It's not all just regurgitated coach speak: The truth is Bercovici and Kelly are good friends. Besides the hours they spend in the film room, they're in the same master's degree program and they share passion for a second sport: golf.
Looking back only a few years ago, it could've been Bercovici who was the star. In 2012, it was sophomore vs. freshman, Kelly the unproven vet from Idaho, and Kelly the cannon-for-an-arm prospect from California. Kelly won out narrowly, and then never gave it up.
Bercovici could've transferred long ago, but he enjoyed Arizona State so he chose to remain and wait his turn. He does as much study as anyone: He knows about Utah's defensive line play this year, and he's studied their tendencies. If he does have to dip his toes into action, he'll be ready to go.
The Sun Devils haven't lost to Utah since 1976 at home. It'd be a shame, Bercovici said, to end the streak.
"I think as a unit, we play extremely well at home," he said. "We know we're going to have 70,000 fans behind us this Saturday."
Add one quarterback to that total, standing in the wings until his next moment comes.
— Kyle Goon
Twitter: @kylegoon