McQuaide learns about speed of Division I level in debut as Nicholls quarterback

After a stellar season a year ago at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Pat McQuaide knew there would be a difference in the speed of the game in his first Football Championship Subdivision start last week against ranked Sacramento State.

He quickly found out where the speed difference lies on the Division I level.

“It’s the offensive and defensive lines,” McQuaide observed. “There are good skilled players in every division across the country. The offensive and defensive lines, the speed of those guys and the way they get off the ball and the way they pursue.

“That’s probably the biggest difference, just in terms of their speed off the ball. Those gaps close faster. In the secondary, it’s not too much different. I played with, and played against, some great players in junior college, some big-time FBS guys.”

In McQuaide’s first outing as the new Nicholls quarterback, he was 15 of 29 passing with one touchdown and one interception in the Colonels’ 38-24 loss. He rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown but was dropped for 29 yards in losses to finish with minus-5 yards on the ground.

“I thought it was pretty decent,” Nicholls coach Tim Rebowe said of McQuaide’s first Division I start. “I thought he did a good job of controlling the whole tempo of the offense. I thought he did a good job of that.

“He was in control the whole time, even on the sideline. He didn’t let anything really rattle him or fluster him.”

McQuaide’s first Division I touchdown came on a 4-yard run in the middle of the third quarter that pulled the Colonels to within 17-10 of Sacramento State.

“It was a quarterback run,” McQuaide explained. “Down there third-and-goal inside the 10-yard line, you’ve got to punch it in. You’ve got to score touchdowns down there and not field goals.

“I did the least on the play. I just caught it and ran into the end zone. They (the offensive line) blocked it perfect for me.”

McQuaide’s ability to run, the quarterback said, has more to do with extending plays.

“Those guys up front are great and they do a hell of a job fighting for me. Stuff happens, plays break down. Just being able to get out of the pocket and extend the play and get the ball to my receivers down the field,” said McQuaide.

His passing touchdown came on an 84-yard strike to Terry Matthews when the quarterback bought himself some extra time.

“It was a big play. Terry did a great job sticking with me and the offensive line did a good job protecting,” McQuaide said. “Nobody was open initially. I kind of scrambled a little bit and Terry did a great job of not giving up on me and kept the play alive and made the guy miss going into the end zone.

“The touchdown goes on my name, but it’s the other 10 guys, they do all the work for me and make me look good. I’m grateful for them.”

“I was pleased with that aspect, his leadership,” said Rebowe, assessing his quarterback. “We’ve got to protect him a little bit more. He probably has to get the ball out of his hands a little bit quicker at times, especially when you are playing guys like TCU, but I was pleased overall with his performance.

It doesn’t get any easier for the huge underdog Colonels as they go on the road for the first time to take on a TCU team that played for the FCS national a year ago but suffered a stunning 45-42 loss.

“That’s why you play the game. Nobody thought Colorado was going to go and beat them. We’re excited. We get a great opportunity to play in a great environment. We will go and give it everything we have,” McQuaide said.