Low On WRs, Northern Cal Turns To 5'5" Walk-On Reynolds For 4th WR Role
It has been reported from sources close to Northern Cal football that Coach Jenkins of Northern Cal has decided to place 5'5" walk-on WR Nate Reynolds 4th on the depth chart. Reynolds, a freshman, was one of the last people to make this year's team. He was a star in high school, but his height may be a liability against taller defenders. With the offense that is currently being run by the Lions, Reynolds will not see a ton of time, but could have to come in to make a few plays. After the news broke we caught up with Reynolds via skype for a quick interview.
Q: What does it feel like to get this opportunity?
Reynolds: I mean it feels great. I know that everyone will count me out because of my height, but I think I can use my height and quickness for advantages. I think the best part of this was when I called my parents, and got to share the moment with them.
Q: What are your goals now that you are getting playing time?
Reynolds: I really don't think that I have any set goals for myself. I think the best thing I can do is to work as hard as I can, and try to help my team go out their every week and have a chance to win.
Q: What was your parents' reaction to the news?
Reynolds: Well, I thought they would cry, and that obviously happened, but I just think talking to my dad was so great for me. Just getting to break the news to him, it meant a lot because he worked so hard to help me get to the point I am at.
Q: Last question, what do you have to say to the people doubting you?
Reynolds: I guess I don't have anything to say to those people at this point, but I hope my play on the field can show them that they shouldn't doubt me. I do understand why they doubt me, but I also want to show them why I am more than what I look like.
This Saturday, the Washington St Cougars will travel to Sacramento to take on the Northern Cal Lions. The 2-1 Lions, coached by Nick Jenkins, have had an impressive season, so far. The offense for the Lions has been terrific to this point in the season. Led by QB DJ Porter, the Lions offense ranks 6th in points per game (39.7) and 8th in total offense (473.7). One thing that has helped the Lion's offense is their balanced approach. Their rushing and passing yards per game both rank in the top 25 in the country which is quite impressive for such a young team. The defense for the Lions, on the other hand, has been completely awful. The Lions defense currently ranks 124th in total defense (482.7), 125th in rushing yards allowed per game (249.7), and 109th in passing yards allowed per game (233). These numbers are not surprising because they have such a young team, but this awful defense has been what is holding this young team back. Luckily for the Lions, Washington St has an awful offense, so they should be able to stop them.
The 1-2 Washington St Cougars, coached by Mike Leach, come into this game motivated after achieving their first win of the year last week. So far this season, the Cougars have been terrible on both sides of the ball. Their offense has been the worst part of the team. Currently, the Cougars offense ranks 121st in points per game (12), 122nd in yards per game (229.3), 126th in rushing yards per game (61.7), 92nd in passing yards per game (167.7). Out of all FBS teams the Cougars will face, the Lions probably has the worst defense out of them all which suits well for the Cougars. I think their offense is not that bad, and they should make some improvement as the season progresses. We are yet to see how good their offense can be now that star QB Connor Halliday is injured, but it should be interesting. The defense for the Cougars has been better than the offense but not by much. Ranking 89th in yards allowed per game (367.7), 109th in rushing yards allowed per game (194.7), and 55th in passing yards allowed per game (173) the Cougars defense should have a long day against a talented Northern Cal offense.
Players to Watch Washington St
QB Austin Apodaca
DE Xavier Cooper
CB Nolan Washington Northern Cal
WR Nate Reynolds
MLB Alvin Mack Jr
FS Warren Paine
Re: The News Kids of Cali: Northern Cal Lions CAP Dynasty (NCAA 14)
Going to start substituting stories after every game for different types of things. Still expect to see stories just not after every game, only when they are needed.
RB James Guthrie leads his Northern Cal Lions to a big win over the Washington St Cougars. The senior rushed for 318 yards and 4 TDs, making himself a legitimate Heisman candidate.
The game started out slow, with the first score of the game coming on a fumble by DJ Porter returned by the Cougars' Xavier Cooper for a TD. After the Lions gave the ball back up to the Cougars, FS Warren Paine answered for his struggling offense, getting a pick-six to tie the game up at 7. Washington St answered back with a 6 yard TD pass from Austin Apodaca to Dom Williams.
The second quarter started a little late, but James Guthrie began is huge day with a big 21 yard TD run to make the score tied again. Continuing the back-and-forth theme, Dom Williams got himself another TD catch to regain the lead for his team once again. Northern Cal took their time on their next drive, but could not get a TD, settling for an Augie Callahan FG. After a great defensive stop, the Lions drove the ball down and got themselves a TD from WR Tim Bates to get a 24-21 lead before half.
The third quarter began with another great drive by the Lions ending in a TD rush by FB Nigel Douglas-Bell. Answering like they had all night, Dom Williams got himself his third TD of the night on a 7 yard TD from backup QB Austin Apodaca. Getting himself his second of four TDs of the night, RB James Guthrie ran the ball into the end-zone for a 4 yard TD to make the score 38-28. Continuing to go back-and-forth, RB Teondray Caldwell got his first TD of the night on a 9 yard reception to make the score 38-35 going into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter started with a bang for the Lions, beginning in a 3 yard TD run by star RB James Guthrie. With 2:52 left on the clock, Guthrie ran in for an 11 yard TD, which presumably ended the game at 52-35. Backup RB Marcus Mason caught a TD on the next drive to make it a ten point game, and keep the hopes for the Cougars alive. After a failed onside kick, the Lions ran out the clock, and secured their second win in a row.
The 3-1 Northern Cal Lions stay at home to take on the UConn Huskies. The 1-3 Washington St Cougars will have a home game, as well, against the Stanford Cardinal.
Re: The News Kids of Cali: Northern Cal Lions CAP Dynasty (NCAA 14)
Let me know who you would like to see me do a feature on instead of a story part. Kind of like the feature djp did because I really liked that. djp, I can do your player first because I got that idea from you, but if not I can do any one, preferably freshman.