Footman’s growth as passer paid dividends in Lock Haven’s Clarion win
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Prior to his arrival at Lock Haven in 2025, Rob Footman Jr. was known more for his dual threat ability than his passing ability. His rush attempts through three seasons at Millersville more than halved his pass attempts, and 25 appearances under center saw him surpass 200 passing yards just once, ironically against Lock Haven in 2023.
It's a reality that makes what he's done in a short time as Lock Haven's starting quarterback all the more impressive, especially from the point of view of coaches that previously stood on the opposite sideline as him.
In just two seasons with the Bald Eagles and much less time as their starter, he's completely flipped his playstyle and improved considerably as a pocket passer. His first four starts have seen him complete over 72 percent of his passes, total eight touchdowns and eclipse 250 passing yards twice, and he most recently posted a career high of 369 yards in Lock Haven's exciting, 38-35 win over Clarion on Saturday.
He has occasionally flashed his ability as a rusher too, but it's no longer half his identity.
"I think just his persona of, he used to be a runner in Millersville and now, he's a true quarterback," said Lock Haven head coach Joe Battaglia when asked about where Footman has impressed him the most.
"He's able to run; he's able to throw. And for him to just be able to see and make those reads and progressions, he's a totally different quarterback now, and I'm super proud of him."
While being proficient as a runner has its benefits at quarterback, an assured arm is more useful in certain spots, especially when a quick score is necessary. Two situations in Saturday's win over Clarion painted that picture the clearest, and those situations could've landed Lock Haven on the losing end without Footman's growth.
Trailing 21-14 with just over 90 seconds to go in the first half, the Bald Eagles got the ball back 80 yards away from paydirt. Footman turned the first play of the drive into a 17-yard pass to Mekhi Watson. Then, he got to work leading Lock Haven towards a potential game-tying scoring.
In the eventual eight-play touchdown drive, Footman completed six of his eight passes and finished the drive off with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ezequiel Johnson. He connected with four different receivers on the drive, as the team only faced third down once and capped the drive with 23 seconds to spare.
"That's exactly what you want to do," said Footman when asked about that strong end of the first half. "You want to at least start the game strong, close the half strong, start the half strong and close the game strong. Winning those middle eight got us ahead of those plays (from Clarion), so it definitely helped us win."
That 18-yard touchdown arguably displayed his growth the most.
On a play where Johnson was the primary target, he briefly got tangled up at the line, forcing Footman to improvise as the rush closed in. But while looking off said pressure, Footman kept his eyes down the field. And when Johnson got open, Footman was ready to get him the ball for what proved to be an important score.
"When I stepped through the pocket and got up, my eyes went to my right to move people to my right, knowing I'd have (Johnson) there and knowing where he's going to be," said Footman. "So that's kind of how you have to play when you're scrambling, just knowing where your guys are guys to be and setting those guys up for success too."
The next situation came in the game's defining moment.
With 34 seconds left to operate in regulation, Lock Haven started its potential game-winning drive at its own 46. Footman made sure every remaining second was put to use, going 3-for-3 with passes of 17, 12 and eight yards and ultimately, setting the Bald Eagles up for a game-winning 37-yard field goal.
By the game's end, the senior had connected with nine different receivers, eight of which logged multiple receptions and five of which caught three or more. That spreading of the wealth followed up a similar showing against Gannon. Against Clarion, he finished with 369 passing yards, eclipsing his previous career high by nearly 50 yards.
"It just shows how much versatility we have as an offense," said Footman on that spreading the wealth. "What we can do as a team, it's going to be hard to stop. If you try to take one option away, we have ten other options that can be just as effective and do their job at a high rate."
Three interceptions - including two in the second half - diminished a performance that saw him complete 72 percent of his passes, a trend that leaves room for improvement for the senior heading into future weeks. But he shook off those picks when it mattered most, completing his last pass a minute removed from his last interception.
"It's hard at the end of the game because I only blame myself for that. And at the same time, if they go score, they potentially go for two and change the whole game," said Footman. "It's definitely a little bit of a self-awareness moment like, 'Hey, if you get your opportunity again, you better make the most of it.'"
Make the most of it, he certainly did. Lock Haven now sits at 3-2 and 2-0 against PSAC competition heading into the second half of the season, and more passing success of that magnitude could help it remain competitive as it pushes to finish among the top teams in the PSAC West.