Coe QB Nick Casey carries simplified approach into 2022 season

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nick Casey is more confident and calm.

He expects to be well-rested and relaxed when he wakes up to don his dress shirt and slacks for the team breakfast, which usually includes his game-day favorites of fruit and eggs washed down with apple juice.

Coe’s senior quarterback has learned to simplify everything, drawing from his previous experience and repetition.

“Last year, a lot of it was new,” Casey said. “I would stay up worrying. Just a lot of anxiety toward things. Now, I do a better job of worrying only about what’s important and what I’m seeing, then move on. … A lot of overthinking going into the game.

“Once the game starts, you’re good. Doing it over and over again, it is muscle memory. It’s like, ‘All right. I’ve done this.’ Less and less thinking.”

Casey received the nod over Carter Maske and Matt Walton for the opening-game start against rival Cornell College on Saturday at Clark Field, beginning at 1 p.m. Casey returns with the most live snaps, passing for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games last season.

“The improvement he showed last year for us toward the end of the season he has continued and developed,” Coe Coach Tyler Staker said. “He has good knowledge of our offense and knows where to go with the ball.”

Identification and execution are better. Casey has a stronger grasp on the cerebral approach to the position, understanding the scheme and where his teammates are each play. It should help his efficiency after posting a 129.7 QB rating while completing 107 passes in 188 attempts.

“I’m comfortable with the playbook and knowing where to go with the ball based on what I’m seeing,” said Casey, a former West Delaware prep. “Getting to know the playbook last year was the first step. Now that you have experience and have made the throws, it’s just a big confidence booster. You’ve been there and done it before, so that helped throughout camp.”

Fall camp has been accompanied by competition with Maske and Walton. Maske, from Waterloo West, completed 60.2 of his passes (65-108) for 788 yards and six scores in five appearances. Walton played in seven games, but only attempted 26 passes for 151 yards.

“It’s a really competitive room and it’s a great relationship,” Casey said. “We’re trying to help each other do what is best for this team. Having that experience is big for us and we’re excited about having that because there are a lot of things that can unfold over the course of a year.”

Staker appreciates the luxury of depth under center. He said all three are capable of taking the reins and guiding the Coe offense.

“All three of those guys competed at a very high level,” Staker said. “We recruited all three of those guys and felt all three of those guys can win football games.”

Casey’s progress has inched him forward. His knack for making key plays in crucial moments doesn’t hurt either. Staker mentioned last year’s 31-28 victory over Buena Vista as a prime example. Casey passed for 354 yards and four touchdowns, including one in the final seconds of the first half and two in the third quarter to erase a 21-10 deficit.

“He seems to really step up when the game is on the line,” Staker said. “He has some of those intangibles we look for in our quarterback. He has done a really good job with that.

“He always gives us a threat to push the ball down the field. He can move the pocket and extend plays.”

Casey admitted he does a good job improvising and working for a gain when the initial call doesn’t work. He credited his receivers for their ability to find open space or get to the ball. Casey and the Kohawks thrive when he is synchronized with his receivers.

“I’m at my best when I’m hitting my timing routes,” Casey said. “I feel like I’m at my best when getting the ball out on three, getting the ball out on time. Our offense is operating a lot better that way.”

Coe has a strong receiving corps led by Dom Shepardson, Amel Saric and another West Delaware prep, Logan Winn. Cooper Zeck and a deep, talented tight ends group provide any of the Coe passers a number of viable targets.

“With the skills guys we are returning, we feel like we picked up right where we left off and the young guys have stepped up and started making plays, too,” Casey said. “It’s really exciting. We feel like we’re flying around. Ready for it to be here.”

Coe leads the oldest college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River, posting a 75-51-4 advantage in the series that dates back to 1891. The Kohawks won, 38-7, last season for their 21st straight victory over Cornell, which hasn’t beaten Coe since 1999.

“This is a fun game,” Staker said. “There is a lot of history and tradition here. Our guys are excited with the first game of the season and the chance to get out there and to play against a rival. It means a lot to our players, campus and alumni.”

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