TOWSON, Md. - The date was September 5, 2010. The place? Quick Stadium at Widener University. The result? Freshman Grant Enders led Lackawanna Junior College to a 42-6 win over Widener in the season opener. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller from Old Mill High School threw for three touchdowns and one interception in his first collegiate game.
Almost one year to the date later, Enders led Towson to a 42-3 win over Morgan State before 9,759 fans at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. In his first start at the Division I level, he completed 15 of 19 passes for 197 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. The speedy sophomore also added an 18-yard touchdown run to give him a total of four scores in his first FCS contest.
Coach Rob Ambrose went into preseason camp in August with just two quarterbacks with FCS game experience - redshirt sophomore Peter Athens and junior Brian Potts. Versatile sophomore Leon Kinnard had just arrived from Connecticut and could play multiple positions while Ambrose also had three true freshmen in Connor Frazier, Price Litton and Anthony LiGregni, who were probably going to redshirt.
But, the job went to Enders, who came in as a highly-touted junior college quarterback, who originally attended Holy Cross as a freshman. At Lackawanna, he threw for 2,098 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading his team to a 9-2 record and earning first team All-Northeast League honors.
"We progressed through camp and we really gave all these kids equal and ample opportunity," said Ambrose. "You're evaluating reps and play calls against defenses. Grant showed the greatest amount of consistency in terms of moving the offense.
"The number of turnovers that didn't occur during camp and his performance was staggering," Ambrose added. "That's one of things that I harp on and keeps us in ballgames and out of games."
Enders and Athens, who saw action in the fourth quarter Saturday night, combined to throw to nine different targets, including two touchdown passes to senior fullback Tyler Wharton in the flat. What made it more remarkable was that last year's leading receiver Erron Banks (40 receptions for 334 yards) was sitting the game out due to an ankle injury.
"It's pretty scary how deep it is," Enders said of the Tigers' receiving corps. "In practice, there are a lot of guys that if they are called upon, they can get the job done.
"They all bring something different to the table," he added. "Some are possession guys and some are speed guys. Any guy out there can get the job done."
Enders appeared calm while playing in front of a near-capacity crowd in his home state.
"We've been playing [against] each other for a month," he said. "It was exciting to just play somebody else. To get the opportunity to start was very special. I had a few nerves and I was anxious but felt good."
One thing Enders showed was an ability to not only scramble, but to outrun linebackers and even defensive backs with his speed. He ran for 47 yards on six carries in his first start. Last year, he ran for 225 yards and five touchdowns at Lackawanna.
"I consider myself a pocket passer and definitely feel more comfortable in the pocket," he commented. "But, if things go wrong, you have to be able to escape pressure. I like to get the ball to the playmakers. I don't consider myself a playmaker."
