Cole Pennington, son of former first-round NFL Draft pick Chad Pennington, made his first collegiate start on Saturday. He looked just like his dad while leading Marshall to a five-point win over Georgia Southern.
Cole, a redshirt freshman, was a three-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2022. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound quarterback chose to play for his father’s alma mater over four other scholarship offers from G5 and FCS schools.
His father, Chad, played 11 years with the Jets and Dolphins after a record-breaking career with the Thundering Herd. He offered his son (who is a near-splitting image) some advice before the game.
Cole listened to his father and completed 75% of his 20 passes for 201 yards, with an interception. Perhaps most importantly, he recovered two fumbles on the same fourth quarter drive that ultimately won the game for Marshall.
To make it even more special, his first start — and first win — came on the anniversary of Southern Airways Flight 932, which crashed and took the lives of 75 Thundering Herd football players and coaches. It is a very emotional game for the folks in Huntington, so to win with the son of a program legend at the helm made it just that much sweeter.
Although Pennington snapped Marshall’s five-game losing streak with a solid performance, his future as the starting quarterback is up in the air. He may or may not be tapped to lead the team throughout the remainder of the 2023 season.
Either way, his future is very bright. It’s in his blood!
Cole not only resembles his father in terms of appearance. They have a lot of similarities in how they move in the pocket and in the open field. Their throwing motions are nearly identical.
Having a Pennington at quarterback in West Virginia is nostalgic for football fans outside of the state. For those who root for the Thundering Herd, it is a beacon of hope for the future!