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Trigg Starring At Bucknell

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: November 1, 2008

When Marcello Trigg left Robinson High in 2006, he had more than 7,000 career passing yards and a Hillsborough County-record 82 touchdown passes.

"Throwing the ball is what I do best," Trigg said.

Then he landed at Bucknell University, where he was promptly asked to run the option. Trigg performed well in his first two seasons, including an unexpected freshman debut when Bucknell's top two quarterbacks were injured, but Bison coach Tim Landis knew the program's offensive philosophy needed an update.

Voila!

Spread option. Lots of shotgun looks. And plenty more passing attempts.

Landis hired offensive coordinator Harold Nichols, formerly of Rhode Island. They visited other campuses and did plenty of research on a new scheme. Bottom line: Bucknell already had the quarterback to make it work.

The change, obviously, has agreed with Trigg, a junior who ranks eighth nationally in passing efficiency among the NCAA's Division I-AA teams. In the opener against Duquesne (a 48-42 victory), Trigg completed his first 14 attempts (finishing 14 of 16) and had 290 passing yards, the most by a Bucknell quarterback in 13 seasons.

Trigg earned Patriot League player of the week honors.

Through seven games (Bucknell is 4-3), Trigg is 97 of 146 (66.4 percent) with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for six touchdowns. He has passed for 1,280 yards - already surpassing last season's total.

"As a coach, you always want to try to match what you to do to your personnel," Nichols said. "We think we have a good match for Marcello. He's like any other quarterback. He wants to throw the ball.

"You watch him, and you see tremendous anticipation skills. He just has a knack for knowing what kind of throw to deliver in any situation. I wish the coaches could take credit for that. It's his God-given ability. We try to put him in the right position, but between the white lines, it's all him."

Nichols said he has worked with quarterbacks who were bigger, faster and even had more arm strength. But he has never had a better pure passer than Trigg.

"Marcello could be an all-conference type of guy if we continue to play well," Landis said. "We had to force him in there as a freshman due to injures, but even then you noticed some real poise under duress. Part of that is due to him being such a fierce competitor.

"But what he really has is unbelievable touch on the football. He can put balls in the small areas of zones like I've never seen before. The receiver will come open momentarily, and he'll lay it in there perfectly. I'll tell you, it's beautiful to watch. He has really made a smooth transition."

The same can be said for Trigg's adjustment to college.

He's an economics major who enjoys the small-school atmosphere and attention to academics. It's a little colder than he likes some days - "I'll always remember having to go out there for our morning run when the wind chill was 15-below," he said - but he's well-stocked in sweaters and coats.

"The football here is regulated by the NCAA, so we work the same amount of hours as anybody else," Trigg said. "It's probably not like the Southern football that everyone knows, but we're doing well. And I'm getting a great education, no doubt.

"I'm really having fun this season. It almost feels like I'm back in high school, throwing the ball around again. There's more of an emphasis on me making plays instead of just running the offense and going with a running game. I like that. I like being the leader and the one who has to come through."

So far this season, Trigg has come through.

Again and again.

"We're now in a system that works well for Marcello," Landis said. "The results bear that out. His play has really made an impact."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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