FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - For years, the Bison football program has had a steady pipeline of quarterbacks heading straight to the NFL. That is the legacy Cole Payton inherits. The fifth-year senior is stepping into the starting role -- and he’s ready to prove the wait was worth it.
Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, Trey Lance, Cam Miller. For four seasons Cole Payton has been a name NDSU fans knew -- but now the fifth-year senior is stepping into the Cole Payton era, and he says he’s ready to carry the torch.
“Ya know people have prided me on my legs and my running ability, and I’ve um, ya know shown that through these last couple of years,” said Payton. “Building a roll for myself and for this offense and being a good runner. But I’m truly a dual threat quarterback. Like I can do it both through the air and with my legs.”
Newly appointed Offensive Coordinator, Dan Larson, agrees that this is the opportunity that Cole has been waiting for.
“Now he gets an opportunity to really develop and show off ya know the throwing aspect of what he can do. So, um, he brings a little bit of everything. Ya know fifth-year senior, he’s seen a lot. They know that this is a moment and a time that he’s been pushing himself, preparing himself for.”
Backup Junior quarterback, Nathan Hayes, says Payton has got the right qualities to lead this offense.
“I mean Cole is just a great human overall. Off the field and on the field. He’s um one of the biggest leaders on our team.”
The offense was last led by Cam Miller; a steady hand that brought home two National Championships to Fargo. While his absence is felt, for Cole Payton it’s more motivation than pressure, and this is an NDSU team that’s ready to answer the call.
“Ya know he’s been, ya know the face, the familiar face for all these years now and I learned so much from him. Ya know as time marches on things change, and so, we have guys in the room, we have guys on this team that are ready to step up and make those same kinds of plays.”
Cole and his Bison open their season on the road, heading to South Carolina and Tennessee before returning home on September 13 for their home opener.
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