SOUTH KINGSTOWN - Derek Cassidy, an option quarterback since high school in Winter Haven, Fla., has embraced the challenge of playing quarterback in a shotgun formation, and D.J. Stefkovich, a prodigious drop-back passer at Staples High in Westport, Conn., is helping in any way he can.

Cassidy is returning the favor by sharing his observations and experience.

Cassidy, a senior, and Stefkovich, a junior, hope to lead the University of Rhode Island back to football respectability this season by working together to open up an offense that relied on the run for eight years under former head coach Tim Stowers.

"I know people have said that I can run better and D.J. can throw better, but he can run, and I'd like to say I can throw the ball a little bit. I want to be an all-around quarterback, not the guy they put in if they want to run a draw, or the option or something. I've been working on that," Cassidy said Wednesday, the day before the final scrimmage of training camp.

URI will kick off the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at Meade Stadium against Monmouth.

"I want to try to prove to people that I'm more than an option quarterback," said the 6-3, 210-pounder. He has completed 49 percent of his passes and thrown for 2,246 yards and 11 touchdowns in 22 games over the last three seasons. He has also run for 568 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Stefkovich, 6-2, 215, threw for 4,200 yards and 52 touchdowns and won 35 of 38 games as a starter in high school, numbers that had Rhody fans giddy with anticipation. He also ran for 1,500 yards, which caught Stowers' attention. As a backup for two years, Stefkovich never got a chance to put his arm on display, throwing only 67 passes and completing 27.

Darren Rizzi's arrival as head coach and promise to reinvest in the passing game has afforded Stefkovich the opportunity to push Cassidy for playing time, yet he hasn't considered the battle for the starting position to be a competition.

"Each day we both come out here, and I don't think any day it's ever been, 'I've got to do better than Derek,' or Derek's got to do better than me. We're both quarterbacks. Both of our time will come with this offense," he said.

"It's a position-type thing. We both know we'll play quarterback here. We both have to lead, on and off the field. That process includes us talking a lot, on and off the field. Derek and I are constantly talking about the offense and different reads and what we're seeing. Even if it's as simple as breakfast or lunch, when we're just sitting around, we'll just throw ideas at each other. I think Derek's been my greatest asset ... we're able to talk through things and teach each other if we have any questions," he said.

Neither quarterback seems worried about who will start and who will play. Rizzi said both will probably play during the season.

"I think we've become a lot closer since this happened, trying to help each other out with the whole situation, and whatever happens, happens. Florida made it to the national championship with two quarterbacks," Cassidy said.

Rizzi said Cassidy still rates the edge for the starting role because he has been more consistent, and "when things break down he can make a play." Stefkovich "has flashed at times and has struggled at times." Together, they have impressed Rizzi and offensive coordinator Chris Pincince enough that Rizzi will probably red-shirt freshmen Marc Lucarini (Laurel Springs, N.J.) and Kyle Elliott (Cresskill, N.J.) and groom them for 2010.

Sophomore Greg Wicks (Bedford, N.H.) is the third QB now.

Veteran receivers Tolbert Evans (Wakefield) and Shawn Leonard (Stoughton, Mass.) have a new lease on their football lives, and tight end Dave Wilson (Warwick/Bishop Hendricken) is seeing the ball more often.

URI fans can expect to see many new names on the field early this season. Among the freshmen are running back Ryan Lawrence (Bloomfield, N.J.), "a special player with special talent"; wide receive Brandon Johnson-Farrell (Odenton, Md.), "who might have had the best camp of all"; offensive linemen Michael Gross (North Arlington, N.J.) and Jason Foster (East Pittsford, Vt.), of whom associate head coach Joe Trainer said he has never seen freshman so good so early; defensive tackle Matt Rae (York, Pa.) and defensive end Kyle Bogumi (Mountain Top, Pa.); linebacker Phil Morman (Cresskill, N.J.); defensive back Devon Dace (St. Louis), who had three interceptions in a scrimmage; place kicker Louis Feinstein (Irvine, Calif.), and punter Tim Edger (Hainesport, N.J.).

"And fringe guys by year end will be playing," Rizzi added, underscoring the fact that 45 percent of his roster is new.

Two guards from Rhode Island are injured. Miguel Prata (Cranston East) is out for the season with a knee injury. David Valley (East Providence) has a high ankle sprain. Rizzi said Valley had lost 100 pounds, is down to 305 and is "the heart and soul of the offensive line."

Linebacker Matt Urban (Warren, Mt. Hope) has a bruised leg and Jimmy Hughes (Westport, Conn.) a deep thigh bruise but should be ready for the opener. Running back Joe Casey (Syracuse, N.Y.) has recovered from a pulled hamstring.