After three weeks of fall camp, former Nebraska quarterback Richard Torres was named the starting quarterback for his current home, Incarnate Word.
Torres joined the FCS offensive powerhouse in 2023 after transferring out of Lincoln following the first spring practice under head coach Matt Rhule. Since then, the Texas native has bided his time with the San Antonio school, serving as a backup the last two seasons. Now he's ready to take the reins of an attack that has finished in the Top 10 in the FCS in passing over the previous 5 years. That run spans back to former coaches G.J. Kinne and Eric Morris.
Former Nebraska quarterback Richard Torres named starter at Incarnate Word
Torres didn't leave Nebraska for UIW with the promise of being a starter. However, over two seasons, he made his case with both flashes of brilliance and steady improvement. In 2023, he appeared in 6 games, completing 42 of 67 passes for 544 yards and 6 touchdowns. Last year, his playing time decreased, appearing in just 3 games and attempting 10 passes. However, he stuck it out and will get the nod against Nicholls State in the Incarnate Word opener.
The Cardinals start the season ranked No. 4 in the FCS. Still, Torres says he's not feeling any added pressure as a first-year starter on a team with high expectations.
"I don’t think there’s any pressure if I just do what I’m supposed to," Torres said. "I rely on my guys and I really do trust them. So, I think just every day coming in and trusting them and executing the plan, and when coaches put it in, I just do what I do."
"Richie had a little bit of a leg up," UIW coach Clint Killough told the media after announcing Torres as the starter. "Obviously, he’s been here for a couple of years. So operationally, he was ahead of the game. He’d already kind of made some of those mistakes. And the best teacher is reps, and he’s had two years of reps at it."
"I think that he’s a natural-born leader," Killough added. "I think his poise in game is something that really kind of separated himself. I think he’s throwing the ball as good as he’s throwing it right now and making pretty quality decisions. So, he’s going to be the guy."
Having started his career in UIW's backyard, the former Nebraska quarterback is excited that he gets to lead a school from his home area. It's a safe bet Husker fans will be rooting him on from afar.