Diminutive QB Herm will run Owls' offense

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Assemble a lineup, and ask the witnesses to pick out the college quarterback.

The chances are Kyle Herm will not be chosen.

Whenever he tells people he attends Rice University, "They always say, 'You play baseball?'" he said. "It's automatic."

Tuesday at the Honolulu International Airport, a reporter asked Bill Cousins, Rice's sports information director, for help in finding Herm. Cousins circled the baggage area three times, asked three others for assistance, and still came up empty, even though Herm was the only player wearing street clothes. Oh, and Herm was wearing a blue shirt with a ghost-white "7" on the front.

"He doesn't really stand out in a crowd," Cousins said.

Herm, who is 5 feet 9 when he inhales and 170 pounds after breakfast, admitted, "I'm not a big guy. I'm not an intimidating-looking guy. When people find out I'm a quarterback, that kind of surprises them."

It also has been somewhat of a surprise that Herm is the Owls' starting quarterback in tomorrow's game against Hawai'i at Aloha Stadium.

The original blueprint called for Jeremy Hurd to start. Corey Evans, last year's part-time starter, was scheduled to redshirt as preparation for his move to defensive back. Six quarterbacks signed in February also were scheduled to redshirt.

But in the fifth practice of training camp, Hurd suffered a torn interior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ending his season.

Rice coach Ken Hatfield summoned Herm, who played in seven games as a reserve last season before suffering a shoulder injury.

In the season opener against Houston, Herm ran for 119 yards, the most by an Owl quarterback in two years. The next game against Duke, he completed 11 passes, the most since 1995.

"When Jeremy went down, I knew I had to step up and play because the team was relying on me," Herm said.

Herm is quick enough (4.4 seconds over 40 yards) to be used as a punt returner last season. But it is his passing ability that has provided an oomph into the Owls' run-oriented, triple-option offense. Herm can easily throw passes 60 yards on the fly.

"I try to do a little bit of both," he said. "If the defense is giving us the pass, I'll throw. If not, I'll get the option going."

Then again, Herm always has been resourceful. He was the first Stanton (Texas) High freshman to earn letters in three sports. In 1999, he was the first Stanton player to sign a Division I-A letter of intent, selecting Rice for the academic standards and opportunity to play quarterback. He is majoring in economics.

"Most schools recruited me as a defensive back," he said. "I like it at Rice, and I like the competition.

We're all doing our best, and no matter how it turns, we'll do what's best for the team."