Noah Nelson ’19 played an outstanding first college career game during Homecoming Weekend this Saturday, leading the team to its first victory of the season against Hamilton (0-4). The Polar Bears won the contest 30-20 . During this single game, he threw four touchdowns on 28-43 passing and threw 328 yards total—the record high for any Bowdoin first year. This game was the first time in Bowdoin football history that a first year quarterback has passed the ball over a distance of 300 yards. The victory improves Bowdoin’s season record to 1-3.
Nelson came to Bowdoin this fall after attending Falmouth High School in Falmouth, Maine, where he competed on the football team. Nelson has been playing football since fifth grade and has played quarterback since sixth grade. In high school, his team progressed each season, collectively improving each year. Since coming to Bowdoin, Nelson has been the back-up quarterback. The game against Hamilton was Nelson’s first opportunity to step up and demonstrate his abilities. According to Head Coach JB Wells, Nelson exceeded expectations.
“I’m seeing what I saw from Noah as a high school player,” said Wells. “He plays like he’s been there before, and that’s always good to have as a young player.”
Wells said that going into the game and the season in general, everyone had high expectations for Nelson. He performed impressively and had a strong preseason.
When Tim Drakeley ’17 was injured during a game against Tufts, Nelson stepped up to the position of starting quarterback and performed well in that capacity. During this time, Wells noted that he was very efficient, moved the ball and was accurate in his passing.
“I felt confident out there. I felt comfortable,” said Nelson. “The seniors played really well, and the offensive line played really well, so I feel like all that working together contributed to the good teamwork and results.”
In last Saturday’s game, Wells pinpoints one play in particular as a standout, when Nelson made an impressive pass under pressure to Andrew Tichy ’19.
“That play right there was under pressure; they had good defense against it,” said Wells. “They had us outnumbered, and Noah still was able to pull it off and make a play out of it."
While one might expect nerves to play a factor for a first year quarterback, Nelson didn’t find this game very nerve-wracking, despite it being the first game of his college career.
“I actually didn’t feel that much pressure,” Nelson said. “Mostly because I felt we had nothing to lose. Stepping in as a first year, I just thought, I’ll give it my best shot, whatever happens, happens.”
According to Wells, Nelson’s stable and controlled nature is one of his major strength that defines him as a player. Wells also noted Nelson’s great leadership, a quality that is crucial to have in the position of quarterback.
“His biggest attribute is that he’s calm under fire, and he exudes that to the rest of the offense,” said Wells.
After Noah’s performance this weekend, he will now start as quarterback. Looking forward, Bowdoin will play at Trinity this weekend, a team that has always been at the top of the conference and is strong defensively. Wells expects to see the Bantams come after Nelson and to pressure, challenge and blitz him. Nevertheless, Nelson will focus on maintaining the grace under pressure that he exhibited this past weekend.