By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
It didn’t take long for Kansas transfer Miles Fallin to earn the starting quarterback’s job at Northwestern State, but he’s had to wait six years for it.
Fallin will start for the Demons next Saturday when they visit FCS power Montana. NSU coach Brad Laird announced his decision Thursday at the 26th Annual Independence Bowl-NSU Kickoff Luncheon at Superior’s Steakhouse.
“I’ve told him not to be looking over his shoulder. We’re not going to say, ‘You’ve got this many series, then we’ll run in another quarterback.’ He’s won the job. He’s our quarterback,” said Laird.
Fallin, a 23-year-old California native, threw for 6,887 yards and 61 touchdowns at Santa Clarita’s Canyon High School and was a second-team all-state pick. He earned an MBA but played in only three games in his five years at Kansas.
After landing in Natchitoches in July, he won the competition with Zach Clement, a sophomore who was the starter in four games among the nine he played for the Demons last fall.
Fallin, a 6-5, 220-pounder, went 16-37 for 320 yards and four touchdowns in the Demons’ two preseason scrimmages in NSU’s new “Air Raid” offense installed after Laird brought in a new coordinator in January.
“We’ve seen his consistency leading the team. He’s taken care of the football,” said Laird, “not just in the scrimmages, but throughout August.”
Recruited by former LSU head coach Les Miles for the Jayhawks, Fallin only made three brief appearances at KU and did not see the field last season under coach Lance Leopold.
Clement completed 56 percent of 154 passes for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns for the Demons in 2021, while suffering four interceptions and battling injuries.
Senior Kaleb Fletcher, who opened last season as the starter and filled that role in seven games, completed 64 percent of his 223 passes for 1,313 yards and eight TD’s, and was picked off six times.
Also vying for the job was Jacksonville State transfer Chance Newman, a junior.
“Those guys work with each other, they help each other, and it’s been fun to watch. I think each one has grown from that. Good competition helps you get better,” said Laird.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State