Dickinson State sophomore quarterback Matt Gittings never knows exactly when he's going to get on the field in a football game.
But he knows sooner or later, he'll have a chance to take control of the Blue Hawks' offense.
In all four of Dickinson State's games this season, Gittings has seen time in place of starter Brandon Bishop-Parise.
It's not just mop-up duty either. Gittings routinely enters the game near the end of the first quarter or early in the second quarter to help shake things up for the Blue Hawks' offense.
"It's what we have to do," Gittings said. "Neither of us know what's going to happen. We have to be ready."
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Last week, in Dickinson State's 28-20 loss at Black Hills State, Gittings took the majority of the snaps in the second half after Bishop-Parise couldn't find a groove early.
Gittings, a Miles City, Mont., native finished with 144 yards passing on 13 of 25 completions, a touchdown and an interception while leading Dickinson State back within reach of the Yellowjackets after the Blue Hawks got behind 21-0 early in the game.
Bishop-Parise also threw a touchdown and a pick, and went 6 of 13 for just 22 yards.
"(Brandon) was visibly rattled," Dickinson State coach Hank Biesiot said. "Matt did bring us some confidence back."
However, Bishop-Parise has looked confident against other opponents.
In Dickinson State's last home game against South Dakota Tech he threw three touchdowns on three passes in the first half. Bishop-Parise has thrown for 406 yards and six touchdowns in four games.
The Reno, Nevada, native said he's fine with switching quarterbacks if it's best for the team.
"The last game, it was a different story because I wasn't getting stuff done," Bishop-Parise said. "They needed a spark. They put Matt in."
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Both quarterbacks said they'll respect Biesiot's wishes.
The veteran coach, who has rotated quarterbacks on several occasions in his tenure - most recently with Michael Spargo and Rafe Espinoza - said he'll likely stick with Bishop-Parise as the Blue Hawks' starter at home this weekend against Minot State and make changes if they are needed.
"There's no sense changing much until we (fix) some of the basic things," Biesiot said.
