DEKALB, Ill. — Kenny Golladay’s explosive debut Saturday could be the start of something big.
The Northern Illinois wide receiver caught nine passes for 213 yards in a 38-30 victory over UNLV, was named MAC West offensive player of the week and is the nation’s No. 1 receiver after one game.
But Huskies coach Rod Carey and Golladay are quick to say the 6-foot-4 redshirt junior from St. Rita is a work in progress.
“As good as he blocked at times, I want to see that more consistent,” Carey said. “As good as his routes were at times, there were others that weren’t quite at the right depth or with the same crispness.”
Golladay, who transferred from North Dakota in 2014, will make his second NIU start Saturday against a high-tempo Murray State team that’s coming off a 53-12 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan.
Against UNLV, he had two 48-yard catches and a 41-yarder that helped set up three touchdowns. His yardage total not only leads all FBS programs, but also was the sixth-highest in school history and highest since 2011.
“(I was) nervous, but everyone was a little nervous,” Golladay said. “I really just had to get the feel of the game at the beginning. It was my first game in almost two years. But after a while — especially in the second half — I settled down, started feeling it a little more and (the game) started slowing down.”
Golladay was an All-Catholic League Blue selection as a St. Rita senior and helped the Mustangs reach the 2011 Class 7A semifinals, where they lost 21-14 to Wheaton Warrenville South.
At North Dakota, he caught 99 passes for 1,313 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons. That included a school-record 16 receptions against Northern Arizona late in the 2013 season.
But the firing of coach Chris Mussman after a 3-8 season led Golladay to consider a new home.
“It was a hard decision to make,” Golladay said. “(But) coaches had left, and I guess (I thought) why not see if I can go to another school? Being closer to home made it even better.”
Transferring meant sitting out in 2014. Golladay was limited to practicing with the scout team and watching games from the sideline, but by the time the 2015 season arrived, he was projected as a potential top contributor.
Now he’s determined to remain one.
“I’m just going to practice each day trying to get better than last week,” Golladay said. “I’m not saying I’m going to have (another) game like that; those games are hard to come by. Coaches called the right plays and we executed them.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Jack McCarthy is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
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