Patrick Tyler was listed as the third quarterback on the Southern Utah depth chart when they opened up the season at Utah.
The transfer quarterback from LA Valley Community College wasn't too worried about his situation in the first game. Instead, he put his head down and put in work.
"Our coach said that everyone is going to get the chance to show what they can do," Tyler told HERO Sports. "And you have to show what you can do when the time comes – whether it's the first, second, or third game and I tried to take advantage of when my time came."
His time came the very next week, his team's home opener against Southeastern Louisiana, in front of a crowd of over 7,000.
"It was crazy, I mean I played junior college but it didn't compare to my first Division 1 game," Tyler said. "It was just an amazing feeling, it was something I always wanted to do and for it to actually happen felt great."
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Tyler says the crowd's energy helped him stay calm throughout the game, even after a couple early interceptions.
"The energy was just great and the fans knew it was a big game and I think it was the turning point in the game. They made things way easier, playing away with a crowd like that would be way different."
The Thunderbirds trailed 17-14 at halftime before Tyler and the offense led the comeback. They scored two touchdowns in the second half to take the 28-23 win.
"I told myself to remain calm and be myself. That was the biggest thing and I let the game come to me and tried to have fun."
Tyler finished the game with 188 passing yards and three touchdowns, and noted that the first touchdown pass was made the difference. "It was my first one so it was just a relief to get that done."
He and the Thunderbirds won their next game as well, over Portland State, before falling this weekend at Montana.
Tyler has thrown multiple TD passes in each of his first three starts. Not too big a surprise though, as he was a junior college star at Los Angeles Valley Community College, where he led his team to a 9-2 record and won a bowl game against San Bernardino Valley College.
His greatest takeaway from the experience? "Not taking it for granted. So many players don't get to play football after junior college. That's probably the biggest thing I'm thankful for, that that led me to where I am now and it molded me to the player I am today."
