Cinderella no more, Cade McConnell grows into star quarterback role for UTEP
The whole feel-good, Cinderella narrative around Cade McConnell has moved into the rear view mirror.
The fourth-string quarterback gets his moment and shines story is still around, but there’s been a shift.
UTEP’s offense is now McConnell’s offense.
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He’s no longer a novelty. As UTEP gets ready to play Western Kentucky on Saturday, he’s the man.
“Every game I feel more comfortable,” McConnell said. “Every game I feel like I’m taking a step forward and seeing things better. The key is to improve and take no steps backward.”
The other thing that has moved to his plate is leadership. That comes with the position, and it also comes with succeeding Gavin Hardison, a captain and unquestioned leader who is now spending practices with the strength and conditioning staff as he rehabs his injury.
Though just a sophomore, McConnell has filled that leadership void.
"The kids really, really like Cade, they love his leadership," coach Dana Dimel said. "Whenever he talks with the team he commands respect from his teammates. They appreciate his performance, they love the way he prepares. They've rallied behind Cade and are excited about him."
Take Jeremiah Ballard, for example, who has broken out since McConnell became starter three games ago.
"He's been tremendous to be honest," he said. "He came in, did his job and he's been growing ever since. With the deep balls he throws, we're getting way more comfortable with each other."
McConnell's play has commanded respect — he was quite good in wins against Florida International and Sam Houston — and he also carries himself like a quarterback. He was a star at Cerritos College in Southern California two years ago so he understands what comes with the position.
"I just want to be the guy everybody can look to and feel comfortable, that we’re together," McConnell said. "We have a lot of great playmakers. We have a veteran offensive line, we have great guys around them.
"My job is just, how can I put everybody in a great position to succeed? That shows when Kelly (Akharaiyi) is running wide open, we made a big play. Jeremiah makes a huge play. Get into a good check and let Deion (Hankins) run the ball.
"When I can put guys in position to succeed, that’s my job right now as a leader."
He also sees himself learning. McConnell cited his one mistake last week, a fourth-quarter interception against Sam Houston, as being the type of thing he needs to learn from. He also bounced back from that mistake and in talking about it, showed the mentality he brings.
"The next page," McConnell said of his thoughts before leading the game-winning drive. "The drive I had before that was one of the worst plays I’ve had in my collegiate career. The last thing you want to do in that situation is turn the ball over, throw an interception. That’s literally the last thing you would want.
"I had to turn the page, move on, have a short-term memory. Focus on the minute in front of you, the yards you have to get. Try to focus on the task.
"Personally, I’ve seen some of those rookie-type mistakes. I’ve cleaned some of those things up. I’m still learning, I’ve got a long ways to go."
That's all part of the process for a young starter who spent most of his two years at UTEP getting fourth-team practice time until the three players in front of him all went down.
"The progression, he's now getting the reps that he hadn't gotten before in practice," Dimel said. "Now he has the opportunity to improve, continue to learn more about what he needs to do. The game reps have come. His progression is his poise in the pocket, his poise in running the offense the ability to get us in and out of the right plays."
That's become a point of growth for a team that now has won two of three games with its new starter.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Cade McConnell grows into star quarterback role for UTEP
