Nick Isham never wavered from his decision. On fourth-and-2 from the 4-yard line, all Westlake (Calif.) head coach Jim Benkert wanted his senior quarterback to do was lure the defense offsides. But Isham thought otherwise.

With 30 seconds remaining in the first half of the California North Division Championship game, Isham made up his mind. He audibled, snapped the ball and evaded a blitz from the outside linebacker before finding his man in the right side of the end zone for a touchdown.

‘It was something that I knew and I had a feeling I could get,’ Isham said. ‘I trusted my receiver Nelson Spruce, he’s an outstanding receiver. I trusted the O-line, I knew that the outside backer was going to blitz and tossed it out right and got the touchdown.’

Benkert knew Isham had the innate ability to make special plays happen. For that reason, Benkert gave him free reign to change to any play he desired. Isham recognized what he saw in the defense and made it count.

Trust and preparation are the two principles that allowed Isham to beat out Colby Cameron for Louisiana Tech’s starting quarterback job late last month. Isham became the second-youngest starting quarterback in Football Bowl Subdivision history when he took the field against Southern Mississippi on Sept. 3 at age 17.

For Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes, the decision was a tough one. But the level of confidence that Isham exhibited throughout summer camp was too much to turn down. Despite Isham being about three weeks away from his 18th birthday, Dykes raved about the quarterback’s maturity level.

‘It’s pretty unique actually,’ Dykes said. ‘He came in here from day one and took a leadership role and took charge, did it respectful of everybody else, but at the same time he was here for business.’

Benkert said that Isham’s decision to play at Louisiana Tech was one made with the ultimate goal of getting on the field as soon as possible. Redshirting wasn’t an option.

Despite being a little undersized at 6 feet tall, Isham makes up for his lack of size with his preparedness. Isham said he spends at least an hour and a half or two hours extra each day in the film room.

The biggest change for the freshman was the speed of play. The rate at which a play is completed is far quicker at the college level. It makes decision-making of paramount importance.

Dykes said the most important thing for a young quarterback is to make the easy throws. Take what the defense gives you and focus on making completions. Isham used practice as his outlet to prepare for an entirely unfamiliar rate of play.

‘I tried to treat every practice in camp and every practice leading up to the game like it was the game,’ Isham said. ‘I think that prepared me well to go out there and do the little things right and make the right decisions. I think the rest of the season I’m going to keep going with that mentality.’

Isham made his first career start against the Southern Mississippi, tossing for 176 yards on 20-of-36 passing in the 19-17 defeat. But a bright spot emerged as Isham built a rapport with wide receiver Quinton Patton, a junior college transfer. The two linked up five times for 95 yards.

Last week against Central Arkansas, Isham threw for 318 yards and two scores. Both touchdowns went to Patton. He hauled in eight catches for 211 yards. But the most significant plays were made with the game on the line.

With the Bulldogs trailing Central Arkansas 42-35 with 2:08 remaining in regulation, Isham proved that he could be the right fit for the job. Isham calmly led Louisiana Tech 72 yards down the field in just 1:10, capped by running back Ray Holley’s 7-yard touchdown run.

Louisiana Tech went on to win the game 48-42 in overtime. Isham seized the opportunity and his patience paid off.

‘I told the recruiters when they were here, if I took a job at any school in the country I would pick Nick Isham as my starting quarterback,’ Benkert said. ‘He’s a winner, that kid he wins. You put the ball in his hands and he figures out a way to win.’

adtredin@syr.edu

Published on September 14, 2011 at 12:00 pm