44INAROW
09-11-2009, 09:21 AM
Noack Article (http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2009/9/11/60555)
Ready for his shot: Experienced junior quarterback Noack relishing starting role for No. 3 UMHB
by Eric Drennan | Assistant Sports Editor
Published: September 11, 2009
After making four starts as a sophomore, Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Kyle Noack knows he’s the No. 1 quarterback this season as the No. 3 Crusaders begin their season at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) at 6 p.m. Saturday. (Scott Gaulin/Telegram)BELTON - When Kyle Noack talks about his role with the Mary Hardin-Baylor football team, he sounds somewhat like a guy who just purchased a top-of-the-line sports car - extremely proud but also in awe of the machine he's about to drive.
“I don't know if I feel more pressure. It's more of a sense of ownership,” said Noack, who is heading into his first season as the Crusaders' full-time starting quarterback. “I would prepare last year, not knowing if I was going to start that week or be a backup. Naturally, that's going to give you a different mindset.
“But now this is my team. I'm the man this year, and I have to prepare and be ready to handle that every week.”
Noack will make his fifth collegiate start at 6 p.m. Saturday, when third-ranked UMHB opens its season at Southern Nazarene (1-0) in Bethany, Okla.
A 5-11, 185-pound junior who was an all-state football and basketball player - as well as the Class 3A 400-meter champion - during his high school career at Cuero, Noack has experience guiding the Crusaders' offense. He threw for 618 yards and six touchdowns to go with 107 yards and a score on the ground in four starts as a sophomore.
But even though he has those memories to draw on, he knows the expectations for a full-time starter are different than those for a spot starter.
“Getting those four starts last year were big for me because I can look back and draw on those experiences, instead of everything being new in a game situation,” he said. “But I've had to work more diligently knowing that I have to prepare myself for playing every single week through December.”
Though he's quick and accurate, Noack doesn't possess blazing speed or a rocket arm. He is, however, hailed by coaches and teammates for his leadership and execution.
He's a craftsman, a player who gets the most out of his athletic skill and rarely makes mistakes.
“I think I'm an intelligent player,” he said. “I pick up concepts and schemes very easily, and I have good field vision. Things just make sense to me when coaches are explaining something.
“And my parents have instilled in me the belief that things don't just come to you unless you work for them. I'm not naturally the most gifted person. So I've had to work to get my spot.”
Known for his accuracy and ability to throw the ball coming out of high school, Noack's passing skills needed only some fine-tuning when he arrived at UMHB. His skill as a runner in the Crusaders' option-based rushing attack, though, was a different story.
“In high school, a designed run for the quarterback was called maybe twice a year in 15 games,” he said. “I really didn't run the ball in high school, so I wasn't used to taking 10 or 15 hits a game. And when they call your number here, they expect you to run the ball efficiently and gain yards.”
But it's the challenge of learning to become an option quarterback and effectively directing the Crusaders' offense that Noack relishes.
“I think it's awesome to see a group of guys come together from all over and bond and work toward a common goal,” he said. “Of course, there's also the competition aspect of it. Everyone likes to compete and get out there in a fight with 21 other guys on your side.”
And after two years of work to remake his style of play to fit UMHB's offense, Noack is ready to unveil the finished product.
“Having to learn how to run the option was - maybe not a hassle - but definitely different at first. Almost nobody likes change at first,” he admitted. “But I've become a lot more comfortable with it and it's second nature to me now.”
Sort of like riding a bike, or driving a souped-up sports car.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
Good Luck Kyle....... :)
Ready for his shot: Experienced junior quarterback Noack relishing starting role for No. 3 UMHB
by Eric Drennan | Assistant Sports Editor
Published: September 11, 2009
After making four starts as a sophomore, Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Kyle Noack knows he’s the No. 1 quarterback this season as the No. 3 Crusaders begin their season at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) at 6 p.m. Saturday. (Scott Gaulin/Telegram)BELTON - When Kyle Noack talks about his role with the Mary Hardin-Baylor football team, he sounds somewhat like a guy who just purchased a top-of-the-line sports car - extremely proud but also in awe of the machine he's about to drive.
“I don't know if I feel more pressure. It's more of a sense of ownership,” said Noack, who is heading into his first season as the Crusaders' full-time starting quarterback. “I would prepare last year, not knowing if I was going to start that week or be a backup. Naturally, that's going to give you a different mindset.
“But now this is my team. I'm the man this year, and I have to prepare and be ready to handle that every week.”
Noack will make his fifth collegiate start at 6 p.m. Saturday, when third-ranked UMHB opens its season at Southern Nazarene (1-0) in Bethany, Okla.
A 5-11, 185-pound junior who was an all-state football and basketball player - as well as the Class 3A 400-meter champion - during his high school career at Cuero, Noack has experience guiding the Crusaders' offense. He threw for 618 yards and six touchdowns to go with 107 yards and a score on the ground in four starts as a sophomore.
But even though he has those memories to draw on, he knows the expectations for a full-time starter are different than those for a spot starter.
“Getting those four starts last year were big for me because I can look back and draw on those experiences, instead of everything being new in a game situation,” he said. “But I've had to work more diligently knowing that I have to prepare myself for playing every single week through December.”
Though he's quick and accurate, Noack doesn't possess blazing speed or a rocket arm. He is, however, hailed by coaches and teammates for his leadership and execution.
He's a craftsman, a player who gets the most out of his athletic skill and rarely makes mistakes.
“I think I'm an intelligent player,” he said. “I pick up concepts and schemes very easily, and I have good field vision. Things just make sense to me when coaches are explaining something.
“And my parents have instilled in me the belief that things don't just come to you unless you work for them. I'm not naturally the most gifted person. So I've had to work to get my spot.”
Known for his accuracy and ability to throw the ball coming out of high school, Noack's passing skills needed only some fine-tuning when he arrived at UMHB. His skill as a runner in the Crusaders' option-based rushing attack, though, was a different story.
“In high school, a designed run for the quarterback was called maybe twice a year in 15 games,” he said. “I really didn't run the ball in high school, so I wasn't used to taking 10 or 15 hits a game. And when they call your number here, they expect you to run the ball efficiently and gain yards.”
But it's the challenge of learning to become an option quarterback and effectively directing the Crusaders' offense that Noack relishes.
“I think it's awesome to see a group of guys come together from all over and bond and work toward a common goal,” he said. “Of course, there's also the competition aspect of it. Everyone likes to compete and get out there in a fight with 21 other guys on your side.”
And after two years of work to remake his style of play to fit UMHB's offense, Noack is ready to unveil the finished product.
“Having to learn how to run the option was - maybe not a hassle - but definitely different at first. Almost nobody likes change at first,” he admitted. “But I've become a lot more comfortable with it and it's second nature to me now.”
Sort of like riding a bike, or driving a souped-up sports car.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
Good Luck Kyle....... :)