Rodgers’ speed on display
After Coastal Carolina quarterback Chance Thrasher sustained a season-ending injury before last season began, the Chanticleers went on to use six more players at the position by the end of the year.
Most of those quarterbacks, including Thrasher, are back and listed on Coastal Carolina’s depth chart for tonight’s game against UMass in Conway, S.C.
With so many possibilities available to the Chanticleers, making defensive schemes is a somewhat muddled affair for the UMass coaching staff.
“We haven’t zeroed in on it yet but we’ll figure it out when we get down there,” said UMass defensive backs coach Steve Costello, who has a trump card up his sleeve in burgeoning sophomore star Isaiah Rodgers.
During last week’s heartbreaking final-minute 38-35 loss to Hawaii, the press box contingent at McGuirk Stadium included five NFL bird dogs, one CFL scout and a representative from the Senior Bowl. Ostensibly, they were there to monitor the exploits of Rainbows junior quarterback Dru Brown and his Usain Bolt-like sophomore receiver John Ursua. Yet, it’s almost a sure bet the pro scouts left the building with Rodgers’ name jotted down under the heading of “future prospects.”
“He has a very bright future. He has all the ability in the world. He can fly. He has such a feel for the game. He’s very instinctive. He has very good ball skills. He has a lot of tools that you can’t teach. He has a gift. He sees things before they happen. He has Sunday talent as long as he does the work and puts on some weight,” said Costello.
Rodgers had an interception against Hawaii with the score tied early in the game. Later in the first quarter, he broke up a long pass into the end zone with a display of great closing speed.
On the day, Rodgers had six tackles, broke up one pass, intercepted another and earned a new level of respect. Most fans probably would pay to see a practice-session footrace between Rodgers and equally speedy junior wideout Andy Isabella, who scored a pair of touchdowns last week.
“I’m just trying to do what the coaches tell me to do and try to help my team win,” said Rodgers. “I feel pretty good.”
Last year, Rodgers appeared in 11 games, with eight starts. He also saw plenty of snaps on special teams as a return specialist. His 773 kick return yards represented the fifth-best single-season total in Minutemen history. On defense, he made 40 tackles and had two interceptions.
“Basically, I was planning on staying close to home but then coach Costello and coach (Charles) Walker came down to recruit me and I decided it might be better off if I get away from the area,” said Rodgers, who attended Blake High School in Tampa before committing to UMass.
Tonight is the first meeting between the teams. The Chanticleers are 11-3 in home openers, including six straight wins.
Coastal Carolina running backs coach Bill Durkin was a consensus All-American while playing on the offensive line for UMass from 1990-93 and was named to the Yankee Conference 50th anniversary All-Star team.
“We’ve been watching tape and listening to what the coaches tell us. They said Coastal is more of a speed-option type offense and so they want us to basically stick close to your man,” said Rodgers. “We’ve been playing pretty strong. The new system is improving. We’re not making as many mistakes as thought.”