After an offseason of national Dan Persa media coverage, the Heisman contender did not play in either of Northwestern’s first two games of the season. Persa’s absence gave Kain Colter –- who just one year ago was transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver –- an opportunity to start. Colter played sparingly at the end of last season after Persa went down with his Achilles injury, occasionally coming into the game to relieve Evan Watkins. This season, Colter has not only filled in for Persa, but done a good job of it. Here’s what we learned from Kain Colter’s first two collegiate starts, a 24-17 victory at Boston College and a 42-21 home win over Eastern Illinois.
A natural in the spread offense: Dan Persa is a textbook fit for the spread offense, equipped with the speed and arm strength to spread the ball around. Turns out that his backup, Kain Colter, is a nice fit too.
Against Boston College, Colter often rolled out of the pocket, and wisely scrambled on many occasions instead of throwing a forced pass. (Credit the offensive line for preventing the pocket from collapsing around Colter in both games.) Colter tucked the ball away and ran 23 times for 71 yards, including a 26-yard dash and a four-yard touchdown run. Through the air, he went 18-25 for 196 yards.
Another example of spread offense success was Colter’s ability to run the option. With one of the backs trailing him, Colter was able to use his speed to set up a pitch or keep the ball to himself. His speed helped Northwestern rush for 227 combined yards, a remarkable total especially considering last season’s run game difficulties.
In the second game of the season, Colter proved his command of the spread offense was no fluke, passing for 104 yards (10 completions on 13 attempts) and rushing for 109 yards and three touchdowns in essentially three quarters of play. He was able to play so well because of his command of play-action. On most plays, Colter lined up in the shotgun with one or two teammates in the backfield. Often, he faked a handoff, shifting the Eastern Illinois defense in the wrong direction and opening up the field for an easy completion or a positive run.
Spreading the ball around: In this past January’s TicketCity Bowl, only three receivers ended the game with multiple receptions. In the first week of this season, Colter completed at least two passes with seven NU receivers; in total, eight different receivers caught at least one pass.
Colter’s longest throw of the game was only 27 yards, but it was an important play. On a third down, from the BC 38-yard line, Colter heaved the ball down the sideline to true freshman Christian Jones. Jones made the first down grab, setting up the final NU score and increasing his team’s lead to 24-10.
Against EIU, seven different NU receivers caught passes. Early on, Colter found Demetrius Fields for all three of his catches. All three catches came on different drives, but those three drives all ended with touchdowns. Later in the game, Colter found both superback Drake Dunsmore and running back Adonis Smith for multiple completions.
Kain’s got composure: Early in the season opener, Colter looked like a sophomore quarterback making his first career start. His first-half interception allowed the Eagles to take a 10-3 lead. But he did not turn the ball over the rest of the game, and even finished the first half by leading Northwestern on an impressive touchdown drive.
While Boston College had trouble moving the ball in the second half, Colter looked like a veteran leading the Wildcats’ offense. After that costly interception, the ‘Cats scored 21 straight points –- including two second-half touchdown drives.
At Ryan Field against Eastern Illinois this past Saturday, Colter looked right at home. He put on a show for the fans from the beginning, leading the ‘Cats to touchdowns on their first two drives. Colter finished the game with no turnovers, despite fumbling the ball in the second quarter (Northwestern recovered).
A new rushing dimension: Colter’s ability to run the ball should prove to be valuable throughout the season, even when Dan Persa returns. Persa is a talented runner as well, but Colter’s legs will ensure that Persa’s Achilles’ tendon stays out of harm’s way. Coach Fitzgerald will be able to put Colter in to run a sort of Wildcat offense, or sub him in just to give Persa a break.
Some of the best college football teams in recent memories won national championships with the Wildcat. In 2006, Florida used freshman Tim Tebow to run the Wildcat in their championship season. Likewise, the mobile Ryan Perrilloux’s play was an important part of LSU’s 2007 title run.
Also, Northwestern cannot forget that Colter has the experience to be a wide receiver. The “Cats can put him in a number of places on the field and give Big Ten coaches headaches preparing for his versatility.
The future looks brighter: Wildcat fans that feared for the future of Northwestern football after senior Dan Persa’s final game can breathe easier after Colter’s performance thus far. Only a sophomore, Colter will likely be around for another two seasons after this one. He showed in his first two collegiate starts that he can play against a quality opponent on the road in Boston College and in front of the Ryan Field crowd against Eastern Illinois. And for this season, there is reason to be excited about the man under center at quarterback –- whether that man is Dan Persa or Kain Colter.