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Kalen Henderson was looking for a fresh start when he decided to transfer from the University of Tulsa this past summer.
He found one at Nicholls State, the school not far from where Henderson spent his high school days at East St. John.
Henderson was already familiar with the Colonels’ offense, particularly after studying game film from Nicholls State’s visit to Tulsa in 2012.
He transferred to Nicholls after considering moves to McNeese State, Northwestern and Murray State, among others.
For Henderson, Nicholls seemed like a natural fit.
“Most of the guys on the team I had played against in high school,” Henderson said. “When I came in, it was just a real good fit and it was really comfortable knowing all the guys and reconnecting with them. I just thought that Nicholls was the best spot for me. I liked the offense they ran and the players they had around.”
“I just wanted to play,” he said of the reasons behind transferring. “Tulsa is a great school. I loved the guys up there and I think the coaches are awesome. They just saw fit that someone else could lead the team. Going into my last two years of college, I wanted to find some ways that I could play and help contribute to some wins.”
Nicholls State coach Charlie Stubbs was excited to welcome Henderson into the program, but the quarterback didn’t officially join the team until Aug. 1 at the start of fall practice. Stubbs was worried that Henderson hadn’t had enough time to adapt to his new settings and the players surrounding him.
But just over a month later, the junior quarterback was being asked to step up and lead the team after an injury to starter Beaux Hebert, who suffered a concussion in the Colonels’ season-opening 66-3 loss to Oregon on the team’s third drive of the game.
Unfortunately for Nicholls, the injury bug at quarterback hasn’t stopped at just Hebert and last year’s starter, Landry Klann; it fell on Henderson in the Colonels’ 27-23 upset of MAC opponent Western Michigan on Saturday.
The quarterback suffered a lower leg injury late in the first half and had to leave the game as Nicholls turned to Tuskani Figaro. Henderson’s status for next week’s game against Louisiana-Lafayette was not available at press-time.
Against Oregon, Henderson had come off the bench and responded by throwing for 214 yards, including a 56-yard reception to receiver Erik Buchanan. He committed no turnovers and was 21-of-40 passing, quickly winning the praise of his head coach.
“I thought he took command of the huddle, that he threw the ball with tremendous velocity and that he showed he could really stretch the field with the deep ball,” Stubbs said. “I think there’s a lot to build off of there.”
“He’s earned the respect of his teammates with his play and just his attitude.”
When healthy, Henderson can also provide something else – a solid rushing threat. He carried the ball 16 times for 68 yards total against Oregon and followed that up with 87 yards on six carries before the injury last Saturday.
Henderson didn’t get many chances to show off his rushing skills while at Tulsa, but he says he and the coaches are confident in his running abilities.
“That’s definitely a part of my game,” he said. “Coach Stubbs always tells me to be aggressive. It’s (another thing) the defense has to defend and he always encourages that if nothing is there and you can extend the game with your legs, then go ahead and do so.”
Before the injury, Henderson had a chance to separate himself from the pack somewhat. With Hebert sidelined with post-concussion symptoms and Klann out for the season with a shoulder injury, Henderson was expected to garner a lot of snaps behind center.
Although he was never named the permanent starter and Stubbs admitted there was still playing time for all of his quarterbacks in the week leading up to his injury, Henderson nevertheless showed promise after being thrown into the fire right away as the team rallied behind him.
The Colonels are hoping he returns soon, particularly after proving himself in back to back weeks against FBS opponents.
“The bottom line is he deserves an opportunity, and it shows that he was really locked in and focused and prepared like he was the starter,” Stubbs said. “If not, he couldn’t have come in at the spur of the moment and had some success.”
If healthy, Henderson will have an opportunity to take on a third FBS opponent this weekend when the Colonels travel in-state to take on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
The two-time New Orleans Bowl Champions are 0-2 to start the season with losses to Arkansas and Kansas State.
The game will be telecast on ESPN3.
Tri-parish football fans may want to look for former Vandebilt standout Elijah McGuire during the contest. He is currently playing slot receiver for the Cajuns.
Nicholls State quarterback Kalen Henderson readies himself for a pass during a recent practice. The Colonels are reeling after losing Henderson to an injury in a victory against Western Michigan. Henderson’s status was unavailable at press-time. He was solid in NSU’s win on Saturday against Western Michigan.
