Zeb Noland goes from coach to starting quarterback in South Carolina.
Noland, who arrived in South Carolina as a graduate assistant in Shane Beamer’s coaching staff, will be the Gamecocks ’starting quarterback when he opens the season Saturday against East Illinois, it was announced Tuesday.
Noland has been sharing practice representatives with Jason Brown, a red-shirt senior, who moved to South Carolina from St. Louis. Francis, an FCS school in Pennsylvania. Brown will serve as a backup.
Noland thought he had finished his playing career in May when his North Dakota state team lost to Sam Houston State in the FCS quarterfinals. He had already secured a position as a grade assistant on Beamer’s staff, but switched with his coaching team for a helmet and shoulder pads and joined the race for Gamecocks quarterback after Luke Doty injured his foot. left earlier this preseason.
Noland, who began his career as a player in the state of Iowa before moving to the state of North Dakota, still has one year left of eligibility. Even before Doty was injured, Beamer and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield joked this summer that Noland might need him sometime this season.
Little did anyone know what the opening would be.
Noland backed up the first round of the 2020 NFL, Trey Lance, in the state of North Dakota, before starting last spring at the Bison. Noland and Lance have been close friends.
During his last season in the state of North Dakota, the 6-foot 2 and 232-pound Noland went through 721 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games.