Post by Banana Cat on Mar 25, 2011 4:11:03 GMT -5
trib.com/sports/football/article_3b997126-93c8-552f-9cfa-82d33907d6ec.html
McLain steps in to lead Cavs
By JACK NOWLIN Star-Tribune staff writer
March 24, 2011
Two games into his rookie season, Joe McLain put his stamp on the Wyoming Cavalry.
The Cavs’ quarterback connected with receiver Ayrius Justin on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining to lift the Cavs (1-1) to a 37-33 victory over the Amarillo (Texas) Venom last Friday.
The win was the team’s first in the Indoor Football League and just the second in the past four years without Matt Strand at Quarterback.
Strand retired before the season, handing over the quarterbacking duties to McLain.
“I still have a ways to go but I’ve just got to keep working,” McLain said before practice Wednesday. “The first half of our first game, it was almost like our offense was non-existent. But I felt a lot more comfortable the second game.”
McLain completed 17 of 38 passes for 157 yards and two TDs in the Cavs’ season-opening loss to the Colorado Ice. But the Chadron State (Neb.) College product also threw three interceptions and fumbled twice.
While his completion and yardage numbers weren’t markedly better against Amarillo — 17 of 32 for 176 yards — McLain did throw three TDs and didn’t turn the ball over.
“Joe’s doing a great job,” Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. “He’s composed in the pocket and he sees the field well.
“He’s kind of learning on the fly and he’s got a great supporting cast so he doesn’t have to do it all by himself.”
The 5-foot-9 McLain is used to having help.
He and 5-7 running back Danny Woodhead, who’s now with the New England Patriots, teamed at Chadron State to form one of the most productive backfields in the country in 2007.
“We were also the shortest backfield in the nation,” McLain laughed.
McLain graduated from Chadron State in 2008 as the school’s No. 3 all-time passing yardage leader with 8,011 yards. Strand, who graduated in 2000, is fifth with 7,541 yards.
“I watched [Strand] all through my high school career,” McLain said. “I remember thinking, ‘He was the best quarterback I ever saw at Chadron.’”
The 6-3 Strand also holds that title with the Cavs.
But McLain is quickly making his mark, not only with his arm but with his feet. He had a touchdown run in each of the Cavs’ first two games.
“Joe does a great job with his feet and keeping plays alive,” veteran Cavs receiver BJ Charlton said. “Joe has impressed me a lot with his mobility and his leadership.”
Now McLain, who had a 38-4 record as Chadron State’s starting quarterback, is just doing what he can to get the Cavs back to the playoffs.
“It’s going to take time to learn, but we’re getting there,” McLain said. “I just have to use my feet and try to put the guys in the best situations to be successful.”
By JACK NOWLIN Star-Tribune staff writer
March 24, 2011
Two games into his rookie season, Joe McLain put his stamp on the Wyoming Cavalry.
The Cavs’ quarterback connected with receiver Ayrius Justin on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining to lift the Cavs (1-1) to a 37-33 victory over the Amarillo (Texas) Venom last Friday.
The win was the team’s first in the Indoor Football League and just the second in the past four years without Matt Strand at Quarterback.
Strand retired before the season, handing over the quarterbacking duties to McLain.
“I still have a ways to go but I’ve just got to keep working,” McLain said before practice Wednesday. “The first half of our first game, it was almost like our offense was non-existent. But I felt a lot more comfortable the second game.”
McLain completed 17 of 38 passes for 157 yards and two TDs in the Cavs’ season-opening loss to the Colorado Ice. But the Chadron State (Neb.) College product also threw three interceptions and fumbled twice.
While his completion and yardage numbers weren’t markedly better against Amarillo — 17 of 32 for 176 yards — McLain did throw three TDs and didn’t turn the ball over.
“Joe’s doing a great job,” Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. “He’s composed in the pocket and he sees the field well.
“He’s kind of learning on the fly and he’s got a great supporting cast so he doesn’t have to do it all by himself.”
The 5-foot-9 McLain is used to having help.
He and 5-7 running back Danny Woodhead, who’s now with the New England Patriots, teamed at Chadron State to form one of the most productive backfields in the country in 2007.
“We were also the shortest backfield in the nation,” McLain laughed.
McLain graduated from Chadron State in 2008 as the school’s No. 3 all-time passing yardage leader with 8,011 yards. Strand, who graduated in 2000, is fifth with 7,541 yards.
“I watched [Strand] all through my high school career,” McLain said. “I remember thinking, ‘He was the best quarterback I ever saw at Chadron.’”
The 6-3 Strand also holds that title with the Cavs.
But McLain is quickly making his mark, not only with his arm but with his feet. He had a touchdown run in each of the Cavs’ first two games.
“Joe does a great job with his feet and keeping plays alive,” veteran Cavs receiver BJ Charlton said. “Joe has impressed me a lot with his mobility and his leadership.”
Now McLain, who had a 38-4 record as Chadron State’s starting quarterback, is just doing what he can to get the Cavs back to the playoffs.
“It’s going to take time to learn, but we’re getting there,” McLain said. “I just have to use my feet and try to put the guys in the best situations to be successful.”