Like Father, Like Son


9/25/2009



When junior quarterback Hudson Woodward takes the field Saturday against Kean, he will be following in his father's footsteps.  On June 19, 1983 Boston Breakers quarterback Johnnie Walton was unable to take the field in a USFL professional football game against Tampa Bay.  Inexperienced Doug Woodward was given his first USFL start at quarterback in Walton's place.

Doug Woodward rallied Boston past Tampa Bay 24-17, completing an efficient 12-of-17 passes and throwing for two touchdowns.  With Boston trailing 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, Doug Woodward completed a long 44-yard pass to Beau Coash on the first play of the Breakers' drive.  On the next play Doug Woodward threw a 7-yard touchdown to Nolan Franz for what proved to be the winning score.

Hudson Woodward, son of Doug Woodward, steps in for injured Dan Pitcher this Saturday.  Woodward was a walk-on as a freshman in 2007.  Over the last two seasons Hudson worked his way up to second on the depth chart behind Pitcher.  Now the quarterback position is his.

The entire NJAC will be looking to pressure Woodward and force the inexperienced quarterback to beat them.  The situation is not unlike 2006, when unheralded Ray Miles took over for injured Alex Smith at quarterback.  In his first collegiate start, Miles passed for 223 yards and three touchdowns in a crucial road victory over Montclair.  Miles would go on to have a fantastic career, being voted Team Offensive MVP in 2007 and then leading his team to the NCAA quarterfinals as a senior in 2008.