Merced College Football hopes for comeback season thanks to quarterback-running back duo

When starting quarterback Hudson Wyatt suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of last year, the season was over for the Merced College football team.

The Blue Devils never recovered and struggled through a season with a 3-7 record.

A big reason for this was the quarterback's play, as the two backups combined to complete just 113 of 239 passes for 1,404 yards. The biggest problem, however, was turnovers, as the duo threw just seven touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.

“We had two games where we threw two pick-sixes and in each game we lost by seven points,” said Justin Pinasco, who is entering his third season as head coach of the Blue Devils. “The turnover ratio completely crippled us. It's hard to come back from that, the turnover ratio was something I've never seen before.”

A torn patellar tendon sidelined Wyatt. Fortunately, he was able to avoid a redshirt last season for medical reasons, so he didn't lose a year of eligibility.

The former Manteca High star had never been injured before and it was tough watching his team struggle from the sidelines.

Wyatt says he is back to 100% after a busy offseason – which included many practices per day – and is excited to be back on the field when the Blue Devils open the new season at home against College of the Redwoods at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“It was definitely tough,” Wyatt said. “I understand now how important it is to take care of your body and recover. I see that everywhere at the professional level. I'm really excited. I've been training for this and I'm really looking forward to this season.”

An important addition to the Blue Devils' roster adds to Wyatt's excitement.

In between practices, Wyatt found time to recruit a friend, running back Tyler Jacklich, to Merced College. The two were teammates as freshmen at Central Catholic and then became rivals when Wyatt transferred to Manteca his sophomore year.

Jacklich comes to Merced College after sitting out last year at the University of Wyoming. Jacklich earned a role on the special teams as a freshman at Wyoming, but a knee injury caused him to fall in the rankings.

After a coaching change, Jacklich felt that the Cowboys' program was not right for him, so he went into transfer mode.

Jacklich attracted interest from some smaller Division I schools, but decided to go a different route.

“I was kind of looking for something bigger,” Jacklich said. “A lot of the schools I talked to from the Power Five just wanted to see me play. They wanted me to go the junior college route before I got the offer. So I really just want to get the film out and have a good year with my guys and hopefully get out next year.”

Jacklich rushed for 2,206 yards and 30 touchdowns to lead Central Catholic to victory in the 2022 Valley Oak League. The Raiders defeated Wyatt and Manteca 56-47, with Jacklich scoring 201 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

At 1.88 m tall and weighing 97 kg, Jacklich is a big weapon full of power and speed for the Blue Devils.

“Tyler brings a lot to the team,” Wyatt said. “I played against Tyler in high school. I know what type of player he is, and he's definitely one of the best running backs I've ever played against, and I know what he can do.”

The Blue Devils hope that adding more offensive weapons, including running back Abel Bravo (Pacheco High) and receivers Anthony Berry (Buhach Colony) and Isaiah Hurt (Central Valley), will help bolster a unit that averaged just over 20 points per game last year.

The defense must find a way to replace two All-Americans on the defensive line: Samari Russo and Jaylen Thao-Booth, who combined for 24.5 sacks last season.

Pinasco expects his safeties Logan Anderson (Escalon) and Darian Lopez (Chowchilla) to take on leadership roles. The coaches are also excited about the additions of Kalen Frade (Buhach Colony), Savion Jackson (Merced) and Willie Johnson (Hoover) in the secondary, as well as the return of linebacker Cody Chapman (Merced).

“We have really good guys,” Pinasco said. “This is my 30th season coaching at Merced College and it's the first time I can remember that nobody has quit at this point. I can't tell you how many times I've had to clean out somebody's locker for whatever reason. These guys are staying here and that's pretty cool.”