Merced College football hoping quarterback-running back duo leads to bounce-back season

When starting quarterback Hudson Wyatt went down with a season-ending injury in the second game last year, the Merced College football team’s season went down with him.

The Blue Devils never recovered, struggling their way to a 3-7 season.

Quarterback play was a big reason why 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 compared to 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 begins his third season as the Blue Devils head coach. “The turnover ratio just completely crippled us. It’s hard to come back from, the turnover ratio was something I haven’t even seen before.”

A torn patellar tendon sidelined Wyatt. Fortunately, he was able to medically red-shirt last season so he didn’t burn a year of eligibility.

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

Wyatt says after a rigorous offseason — that included many two-a-day workouts — he’s back to 100% and excited to be back on the field when the Blue Devils open the new season on Saturday at home against College of the Redwoods at 1 p.m.

“It was definitely tough,” Wyatt said. “I understand now how important taking care of your body and recovery is, I see it all over the professional level. I’m super stoked. I’ve been training for this and I’m really excited for this season.”

A key addition to the Blue Devils roster adds to Wyatt’s excitement.

Between workouts, Wyatt found time to recruit a friend to play at Merced College in running back Tyler Jacklich. The two were teammates as freshmen at Central Catholic then turned rivals when Wyatt transferred to Manteca his sophomore year.

Jacklich comes to Merced College after red-shirting at the University of Wyoming last year. Jacklich had earned a role on special teams as a freshman at Wyoming, but a knee injury dropped him on the depth chart.

After a coaching change, Jacklich didn’t feel the Cowboys program was the right fit for him so he entered the transfer portal.

Jacklich attracted some interest from some smaller Division-I schools, but chose to go another route.

“I was kind of looking for something bigger,” Jacklich said. “A lot of the schools that I talked to from Power Five just wanted to see me go play some ball. They wanted to see me go the junior college route before I got the offer. So I’m really just looking to go put 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 in leading Central Catholic to a Valley Oak League championship in 2022. The Raiders’ edged Wyatt and Manteca along the way 56-47 with behind Jacklich’s 201 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

At 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, Jacklich gives the Blue Devils a big weapon with power and speed.

“Tyler brings a lot to the team,” Wyatt said. “I’ve 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 ever played against, and I know what he’s capable of doing.”

The Blue Devils hope other 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 will have to find a way to replace two All-Americans on the defensive line in Samari Russo and Jaylen Thao-Booth, who combined for 24.5 sacks last season.

Pinasco is counting on his safeties Logan Anderson (Escalon) and Darian Lopez (Chowchilla) to step into leadership roles. Coaches are also excited about the additions of Kalen Frade (Buhach Colony), Savion Jackson (Merced), Willie Johnson (Hoover) to the secondary and the return of linebacker Cody Chapman (Merced).

“We have really good guys,” Pinasco said. “This is my 30th season coaching at Merced College and this is the first time can remember not one person has quit at this point. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to clean out somebody’s locker for some reason. These guys are sticking around and it’s pretty cool.”