North Dakota State’s only game of the 2020 season was supposed to be a chance for quarterback Trey Lance to show off for NFL scouts, proving he can be a franchise quarterback at the next level.
His performance is likely to leave pro teams perhaps even more puzzled with his evaluation than they were before.
In Saturday’s 39-28 win over Central Arkansas, Lance excelled as a runner, racking up 143 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 rushing attempts, including an impressive 54-yard score.
As a passer, things were far less rosy for Lance, who needed a strong fourth quarter just to finish the game with as many completions as incompletions. Lance completed 15 of his 30 passes for just 149 yards, adding two more touchdowns through the air. He also threw the first interception of his college career, after going the entire 2019 season without one.
💪 @treylance09 did his thing in his only game of the season
Where would you take him in the upcoming NFL draft? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3nL8fe0nNe
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 3, 2020
Sure, there were some positives, and there are obviously some mitigating circumstances NFL decision-makers will surely keep in mind when evaluating Lance’s tape from this game. But no matter how you slice it, Lance looked rough as a passer for much of this game, and his prowess as a runner won’t overshadow that as pro teams decide whether or not they can trust him with the future of their franchise come next April.
Lance and the Bison were supposed to open this season against Oregon, and if he’d turned in this kind of performance against a successful Power 5 program in one of the nation’s most hostile road environments, it would’ve been a bit more understandable. Instead, it came against a fellow FCS opponent, in his home stadium, with minimal attendance.
Yes, it’s only one game. But it’s the only game Lance is gonna get this season, and regardless of how fair that is, his only chance to impress pro scouts in a real-game environment won’t do his draft stock any favors.
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