BROOKLINE – The quarterback was ready, even on the first drive of his collegiate career.
There was a play to execute, and with just over two minutes into the first quarter, the timing was right.
The call was set, the snap was perfect and the route for wide receiver Pat Graham was straight through to the end zone past Georgia Southern’s pressing defense for an opening 7-0 Husky lead.
Anthony Orio, welcome to Northeastern football.
But the redshirt freshman’s first big pass of his career was just the beginning of an offensive explosion for both team’s in Saturday’s non-conference opener at Parsons Field. Orio passed for two touchdowns in the first quarter alone, while also scoring on a rush in a contest that saw the Huskies lead 24-17 at halftime. The eventual 41-38 overtime loss for NU was crushing, but a fearless debut performance by Shawn Brady’s replacement seemed to be on every mind.
“That quarterback was phenomenal,” said No. 5-ranked Georgia Southern coach Mike Sewak. “He did a great job of running the option. I think with that added flavor to NU’s offense, they’ll be really tough down the stretch.”
Orio’s post-game demeanor was relaxed, as if his 221 yards passing and 13-19 completions was a standard job. The 215-pound 2004 New Jersey state wrestling champion seems to be used to this.
“We scored, I think, on almost every possession in the first half,” he said. “We got into a rhythm, passing and running the ball. I’ve got a great group of guys around me. The other 10 guys in the huddle, they’re just great. I’ve felt comfortable ever since I stepped into this environment.”
Orio simply didn’t have any time to waste. On his first drive, he connected with Cory Parks for the first reception of his career. Anthony Riley then gained 12 on the next play, before Orio found Graham for a perfect connection.
After the snap, Orio calmly stepped back, waiting alone as a fervent Eagle rush attempted to gain on him. Graham kicked it into high gear from the right side into the middle, receiving Orio’s pass while seeing nothing but the end zone after his reception. This was the kind of comfortable ease that was evident on Orio’s part throughout a majority of the day.
“I felt good about how the offense placed itself together, with maybe the exception of OT,” NU coach Rocky Hager said in limited conversation about the team’s offensive scoring.
NU’s second drive produced a similar result. This time, tight end Kendrick Ballantyne, a Maine transfer, started to make his first day memorable as well. Orio found Ballantyne for 27 yards on the first pass of the drive.
Two plays later, Orio scrambled for six yards. Following this play, the time seemed right for another Orio-Graham connection. The result? The same.
This time, the play was even simpler. Graham ran straight down the right sideline, waiting for a light toss from Orio. The pass was perfectly placed to Graham’s stretching arms, and again Graham was alone in the end zone – two drives, two touchdowns.
“We were in a rhythm moving the ball well down the field,” Graham said. “Everyone was doing the things they are supposed to do and the scoreboard showed that. We just focused on every down.”
Orio, who has biochemistry listed as his major and has plans to be an orthopedic surgeon, is showing early indications that he has the brains – and the mentality – to step quickly into the I-AA football scene. His team lost, but there was constant movement on the field, and repeated success for Orio’s plays. The Eagles, ranked fifth in the country, had their hands full.
For Orio, the Atlantic 10 is the next challenge.
