New London — Not that Coast Guard Academy coach Bill George was expecting a quarterback controversy going into the preseason, exactly, but perhaps at least a lively competition for the top spot.

It never existed.

Returning quarterback, junior Derek Victory, the starter for the Bears' previous 17 games, smiles when asked about it.

“When I was fourth string (as a freshman), I became the starter overnight,” Victory said at Coast Guard's recent media day. “I play with that mindset that you can lose your job at any moment. … This is my 15th year now (playing football). Confidence isn't a thing I'm worried about.”

“He stood out among the other guys. He has separated himself from the pack,” George said of what he's seen from Victory this season. “As practice evolves, he's just stepped ahead. I expect a great deal out of Derek. He knows the position. … It's tough here when you're the quarterback. He's the most visible person here at this academy.”

And so Coast Guard begins the season Thursday with a 7 p.m. game against Anna Maria at Cadet Memorial Field, the Bears' first night game since 1996.

Derek Victory is the guy.

Victory, as he said, earned the job as a freshman, making the final seven starts of the year and earning New England Football Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Last year, Victory set the Coast Guard record with 220 completions in a season, going 220-for-409 for 2,061 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Victory, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound native of Weston, Fla., whose dream it was to play for the Coast Guard, is already closing in on all of the school's major career quarterback records. He is 402-for 722 for 3,747 yards and 23 touchdowns, or 23 completions, 127 attempts, 822 yards and 15 touchdowns shy of the program records.

Only it hasn't been easy.

Following his award-winning freshman season, Victory came back last year, in which the Bears would go 3-7, 2-5 in the NEFC, and threw 21 interceptions. Coast Guard threw 23 interceptions in all, a league-worst (the next highest total was 15).

George explains: “Christian (George) and Niles (Pierson) (Coast Guard quarterbacks who contributed to NEFC Bogan Division titles in 2006 and 2007) didn't even start until their junior year. Now we're asking Derek to step up as a leader; he was rookie of the year at 19. Last year was just his second year.

“Major leaguers get a bounceback season, NFL players get a bounceback season. I think (Victory's) going to be fine. We talked to him about some things about being patient, relax. Don't try to force it. Don't try to put the whole burden of the season on your shoulders.”

Victory, who will be backed up by sophomore lefty Adam Davis, a Griswold High School graduate, spent this summer at the academy as a Swab Summer cadre, essentially charged with yelling at incoming cadets. He was grateful for the time in New London, which he spent watching film and throwing the ball around down at the football field.

“Last year I thought I had to do everything on my own and that wasn't the case,” Victory said. “This is my second year knowing the offense. Up to now I've seen it all. Also, from a leadership aspect, I'm not scared to speak up.”

Of running the Bears' no-huddle spread offense, which resulted in the record number of passing attempts last season: “It's a blast,” Victory said. “I like the quick tempo. Throwing the ball 40-50 times a game is so much fun.”

Victory led Coast Guard to a win in his first career start, a 37-20 victory over Nichols.

Offensive coordinator Ray LaForte is one who thinks there will be more where that came from this season if Victory has anything to say about it. LaForte has been impressed with the quarterback, whom he said not only knows every offensive play in the book, but can explain them in detail.

“He's working on a very fast mental level,” LaForte said. “He can anticipate where I'm coming from, like (record-setting Coast Guard quarterback) Jon Resch his senior year, Derek's right there. I think he owns it and this is not that easy.”

LaForte spent a day recently sailing to Stonington with Victory and some of his Coast Guard classmates. He also points out a smiling Victory at media day, waiting to speak with reporters, and reports that Victory is “so in a good place.”

“Those first two years are behind him,” LaForte said. “He's had to suck it up and he looks sharp. … Derek gives us a great chance to compete and win.”

v.fulkerson@theday.com

twitter: @vickieattheday

Coast Guard Academy schedule

Sept. 3: Anna Maria, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Merchant Marine, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Catholic, 1 p.m.

Sept. 26: *Salve Regina, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: *at Maine Maritime, noon

Oct. 17: *MIT, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24: *at Curry, 1 p.m.

Oct. 31: *Nichols, 1 p.m.

Nov. 7: *Western N.E., 1 p.m.

Nov. 14: *at Endicott, noon

*-NEFC games