Charleston Southern heads to Clemson on Saturday with a quarterback who has already shown he can handle pressure.
Jared Echols didn’t open the season as the starter, but he seized his chance last week in a 49-39 win over FCS nationally ranked South Carolina State. In his first career start, the redshirt sophomore from Ellenwood, Ga., completed 17 of 29 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.
Now the assignment gets much bigger. The Buccaneers are 3-3 and will face Clemson at noon in Death Valley, where one of the nation’s top programs plays in front of 80,000 fans.
Echols had to wait for his opportunity after a preseason battle with Lek Powell, who started the first five games of the year. He was open about the disappointment of losing that competition, but also made it clear he stayed ready.
"I was definitely disappointed to not win the job, but I knew it was close," Echols said. "I knew my opportunity would come, so I just kept working and preparing myself to be ready when my chance came."
Charleston Southern coach Gabe Giardina saw exactly the kind of poise he wanted from his quarterback against South Carolina State.
"Calm, cool, collected," Giardina said. "He doesn't get rattled, and the moment is not too big for him."
That composure will be tested in a very different environment on Saturday. Echols has played in big games before in Class AAAAAAA high school football, but Clemson represents another level entirely. Still, he’s taking on the challenge.
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