Oregon freshman quarterback Ty Thompson is a cool customer.
His poise and calm demeanor radiate from his personality in everything he attacks in life, especially football.
While some true freshman may have a hitch or stumble in their first-ever ‘live’ action on a college football field, not Thompson.
He’s as cool as they come.
And it showed last Saturday against Stony Brook when Thompson calmly started the second half and drove the Ducks offense straight down the field for a touchdown.
It was that easy – or so it seemed.
It was Thompsons first-ever touchdown pass in a Duck uniform, and the first-ever touchdown reception to fellow freshman, TE Terrance Ferguson.
“The team really, you know, took me under their wing” said Thompson this week.
“It was a lot of fun,…a really good experience for sure. The first drive was a lot of fun.”
For Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, it wasn’t a surprise to see Thompson succeed.
“Starting with Ty, he is an extremely cool customer” explained Moorhead this week.
“Confidence is bred through talent and preparation. There weren’t wide eyes when he was told he was entering the game. He was poised, calm, and collected. He went 6-of-9, threw two touchdowns, operated the offense very well. I was excited to see him get an opportunity.”
To succeed, and remain calm under extreme pressure, Thompson relies on his preparation.
In his mind, if you understand the offense and what defenders are trying to do, and if you’re prepared for it, there’s simply nothing to worry about.
“I think it’s more about preparation than anything” said Thompson when asked about his poise.
“Being ready to go before you even hit the field, it makes it a lot easier on your mental, for sure. That’s 90 percent of the quarterback game right now is making sure you know what you’re doing before you do it.
Preparing like I’m the guy, like I’m the next man up, has helped a lot. I got the opportunity this Saturday to hit the field, and I felt like I was ready and prepared.”
FRESHMAN QB TY THOMPSON DISCUSSES HIS FIRST GAME ACTION IN A DUCK UNIFORM