A different kind of QB controversy at Northwestern St.

Northwestern State quarterback Stephen Rivers (13) passes against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 62-13. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Rogelio V. Solis

(STATS) - Welcome to another installment of Northwestern State's "As the Quarterback Turns."

Coach Jay Thomas has gone to extreme lengths to try to determine the depth-chart order for his passers, and he still hasn't announced which signal-caller will start the Demons' Southland Conference game at home against Central Arkansas on Saturday.

There has been a different starter in each of Northwestern State's first three games - all losses. Thomas played three quarterbacks in the first two games and then four were given one quarter of action each last Saturday at Mississippi State.

"They all played well. They all did things we liked, against a very good SEC West defense," Thomas said Tuesday, keeping this weekend's pecking order under wraps.

The Demons started senior Stephen Rivers in their opener against Southeastern Louisiana, followed by sophomore Joel Blumenthal against Louisiana-Lafayette and sophomore J.D. Almond against Mississippi State. Junior Daniel Hazlewood also has logged some playing time, joining Blumenthal as the two players to appear in all three games.

Blumenthal has taken the most snaps, but each of the quarterbacks has between nine and 17 pass attempts. The four have combined to go 31 of 53 for 399 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. None has rushed for more than 29 yards.

"I am traditionally a one-quarterback coach, but because of the parity between them, we've given them more chances," Thomas said. "Going into this week, we'll once again be in a quarterback rotation, based off how the game's going."

While Thomas said he believes the competition will work itself out, Central Arkansas (0-2) doesn't have the luxury of waiting to find out. Coach Steve Campbell and the Bears are studying up... four different ways.

"Each one of them brings a little different skill set to the table," Campbell said. "They've moved the ball against everybody they've played, and they've played some very tough opponents. It's hard to game plan for four different guys so you try to make sure you have all your bases covered no matter who's in the game."