The long way ‘round: Noah Cain’s journey back to his ‘dream school’
On December 18th, 2018, Noah Cain informed all the teams interested in recruiting him that he would be bringing his talents to State College, Pennsylvania. The running back, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had been playing football for a 6A school in Texas as well as IMG Academy in Florida before committing to Penn State.
While no one questioned the talent he had going into his freshman year, Cain exceeded expectations in the 2019 season, playing 10 games, averaging 5.3 yards a carry on 84 attempts as well as scoring 8 touchdowns. The highlight of his season was his domination of the Iowa Hawkeyes, with 22 attempts, 102 yards, and one touchdown in a game the Nittany Lions won 17-12.
Cain and Penn State would go on to finish 8-1 as well a win in the Cotton Bowl, a game in which Cain scored two touchdowns.
“Once the season came my freshman year, I just had that mindset, that Louisiana mentality, like ‘man I'm gonna go ahead and make plays when my number’s called’,” Cain said, speaking on the Jordy Culotta Show. “As the season went on, I just started getting getting more and more of my flow in my rhythm and I was able just to really make a big impact for the team.”
That impact would not last for long, unfortunately.
After reaching such highs in his first season, Cain hit a personal low in the 2020 season after breaking his foot on his first play of the year. Cain would not play another game for the rest of the season.
Following this injury and the COVID pandemic, Cain’s third and what would become his final year at Penn State was better than his sophomore season, if not only for staying healthy throughout most of the year. Cain took part in 11 games in 2021, as well as a losing effort against Arkansas in the Outback Bowl.
Cain was not able to reach the same levels of success as his freshman season but was still solid, with 106 attempts but only averaging 3.3 yards and 4 total touchdowns all season.
However, regardless of his lackluster season, Cain still had business to finish at Penn State, but this time in the classroom.
“It was very important (to graduate) not just for myself but for my family especially for my mom,” Cain said. “I was just blessed to be able to you know get my degree in that time period, three and a half years, and you know come back to my dream school.”
Now with two full seasons and a degree under his belt, Cain is ready to make some moves with LSU and the Tigers. After a hectic transfer portal, Cain was excited when Brain Kelly, along with running back coach Frank Wilson, called with the opportunity to return home to Baton Rouge.
Cain is part of a deep running back room that features the likes of senior John Emery Jr., junior Tre Bradford, and sophomore Armoni Goodwin. With support from the squad and the staff, Cain hopes his homecoming can bring success along with his joy with being home.
“I don't want to regret this opportunity,” Cain said. “I want to take advantage of every day that I have here, because this is a rare opportunity a lot of people don't get.”
Anthony Bailey
