“One thing with Matt,” said Ashland (Ohio) head coach Lee Owens, who gave LaFleur his first job as an offensive coordinator, “one of the biggest criteria in calling a play is whether we can protect our quarterback. Can we take care of our quarterback? If we can’t protect him, we’re not going to call it. If we have the change the launching point, we’ll change the launching point. If we have to change how quick we get it out, we’ll change how quick we get it out. We can’t get that guy hit. If you don’t get him hit, you’re going to score a lot of points.

“If they’re just better than you up front defensively, you better find ways to get extra blockers or get it out quicker or move where he’s throwing it from. Matt understands that. I think quarterbacks appreciate it when you understand that, and you don’t ask them to do things where they’re taking shot after shot.”