South Carolina's Quarterback Zeb Norland leads the way to a 46-0 win over Eastern Illinois. He says, "I just try and enjoy it and love that." (0:49).
COLUMBIA (S.C.) -- On a hot Saturday afternoon, the Noland family -- dad Travis and mom Julie Noland -- struggled to see the South Carolina players as they made their way to Williams-Brice Stadium.
The first Gamecock Walk of the 2021 seasons would have been an afterthought for their Athens home a month ago. Their oldest son, and big brother, was a 24-year old graduate assistant who had just started his coaching career.
Julie said, "I just needed this to see."
Because Zeb Noland's incredible story has reverberated across college football, it was truly seeing that was believing. It's not often that a graduate assistant can go from handing out playbooks to throwing touchdown passes within the SEC in just a few weeks.
Travis, who is a successful coach at Oconee County high school in Watkinsville (Georgia), said, "I told my spouse that regardless of what happens the rest, this is only going to benefit his coaching career because everybody's going be able to know who he really is now."
Abe, who was a Western Carolina football player, was texting with his brother as the Gamecock Walk began and asking him where he would be during the procesional.
"Don't worry. Zeb replied with a text message: "You will see me."
Zeb, wearing a blue suit with sunglasses and his brother behind the ropes, found his parents and brother and came over to hug them.
Zeb said, "Love you'all," "I got this."
Noland was a man who kept his word. He delivered one of the most methodical four-touchdown performances you'll ever see in a shutout of Eastern Illinois of 46-0. It didn't matter that it was against an FCS or FCS team, which has now lost 18 out of its last 20 games.
For that matter, it is worth noting that Noland's four touchdown passes were on a day when he was only 13-of-22 for just 120 yards and that no one knew his name before the start of preseason camps.
"There's always a little dog left in anybody," said Noland, noting a conversation he had this summer with South Carolina outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Mike Peterson, who played in the NFL for 14 seasons.
Mike P. said that despite being old, Mike had a little bit of a dog left in him. He replied, "Hey man, both of us have a lot of dog left in them." These little moments like this are what bring you back.
It's exactly what Shane Beamer expected from Noland. He gives the "coach on field" phrase new meaning and gives his first year coach some comfort in a situation that could have turned out to be a disaster at quarterback for the Gamecocks if Noland hadn't retired for a sixth season.
Beamer stated, "We were discussing it in our staff meeting today, and I believe there were 11 guys tonight on the two-deep as starters or backups that had never worn a South Carolina uniform." That's your quarterback. This is your backup quarterback. This is your starting nickel. This is your starting corner. While you worry about other positions, I have never worried about our quarterback.
Noland's story is a great example of what makes college football so enjoyable, especially since he seems to be having so much success as a country boy. He was actually more interested in the dove hunting season beginning last week than he is in all of the social media posts about him.
Zeb Noland, South Carolina's starting quarterback and graduate assistant, made his unlikely return to the game with a win over Eastern Illinois. Jeff Blake/USA TODAY Sports
Late Saturday night, he wasn't interested talking about himself. He was 1-0 with Gamecocks and had earned a win for his third college football team. He kept coming up his offensive linemen over and over again.
It sounds a lot like a coach, right?
Noland admitted that he was a sponge for every moment of the day. He enjoyed the family presence, including his grandparents and Eddie, his father's brother. The energy in the locker rooms before the game, as well as the passion displayed by the fans.
"It didn't really hit me until I got off of the bus and started the walk. Then, I gave high-fives and hugs to all the fans. It was surreal to me." It was surreal for me," Noland said. He began his playing career at Iowa State and transferred to North Dakota State in 2019. Noland then started for the Bison in the COVID-delayed 2020 season. I never imagined that I would get to do it again. Just being on the players' side and going through pregame warm ups, and little things like those make it even better.
The other side of the country had a huge fan: Trey Lance, the rookie quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. Noland's friend and third overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Lance stated that he knows more about South Carolina football than he ever imagined, but that he is so excited for Zeb. It may not sound real to many people that Zeb is starting his career after he was a GA only a few weeks before. I can assure you that South Carolina is blessed to have him.
Lance, who was a North Dakota State student with Noland, was the first to text Noland Monday morning when Noland became the Gamecocks' starter.
Lance stated, "I know what that he did for my when he got at North Dakota State." He said, "That was my first year of playing and he had played in some big games while he was at Iowa State. He is a positive, energetic person and was an excellent sounding board. He helped me in every area of the game, from mechanics to throwing the ball to studying it. I could go on.
"He is a winner in all he does."
Lance started scouting for a place to watch the South Carolina game Monday after finding out his buddy had put his helmet back on. For some South Carolina gear, Lance even reached out to former Gamecocks Javon Kinlaw, 49ers teammate, and Deebo Sam Samuel, 49ers teammate.
Lance might not be the only one. It's not surprising that No. South Carolina fans will start seeing 8 jerseys more often than usual, even though Noland only plays one more game this season. Beamer stated that sophomore quarterback Luke Doty, who was injured in August, should be back in practice next week.
Noland stated, "My job is go out there and run an offense, eliminate turnovers, and eliminate bad plays." "I will do what it takes to win. It doesn't matter who is playing quarterback to me, it doesn't really matter.
Even if it was only for one night, the Noland family will always remember it. Julie and Abe had just a few hours sleep when they arrived at Columbia on Saturday. They flew to Mankato (Minnesota) on Thursday to see Ben, the youngest Noland boy, play in Northern State’s season opener. It was a 40-34 overtime loss against Minnesota State.
The next day, they flew home in time to catch Travis' second half. It was a 21-2 Oconee County victory over Clarke Central. The two-and-a half-hour drive to Columbia was then made on Saturday morning.
Travis stated, "My wife is the winner who should be awarded a medal." It's great that we were able to witness this. Zeb has had a long road to reach this point.
"I am proud of him for being able to put on the uniform and go back out. This was not his intention. He wanted to continue playing football."
Who knows what could have happened if Marcus Satterfield, South Carolina's offensive coordinator, hadn't asked Noland for help throwing to recruits who visited campus in June. The current players were not allowed to throw to recruits.
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"I was amazed at how fast he threw the ball and I thought, "Whoa! Satterfield recalled, "Too bad you don’t have another year eligibility."
Noland smiled and replied, "Actually I do, Coach."
After Doty had been injured, Beamer pitched to Noland. This was just a few days after a scrum that was not pretty for the South Carolina offense.
Noland already felt the desire to get back on the field so he asked his dad Saturday morning if they would be up for the scrimmage.
Travis laughed and said that Travis thought Travis was wrong. "But Zeb said, "Dad! I really want to see you." "He's been gone most of the past six years to North Dakota State and Iowa State, so when he said something similar, I thought that I needed to go."
Zeb informed his father that South Carolina was serious in giving him the opportunity to become the quarterback. He reminded Travis that his goal was coaching and that he would not miss the chance to do so if it didn't work out.
Travis said to his son, "If you cannot be a GA when it's all over, then it isn't worth it."
Travis was struck by it on the way home. Noland was not asking his father for advice. He was asking for his blessing.
Travis stated, "I think I was thinking that he wanted to convince me not to do it." I told him to do it and he would never look back.
You will also have time to go hunting down your road.
Noland stated, "I'm going live in the moment...and just enjoy it."
