Senior Patrick Dolan took the next step in his career when he competed in the Dixie Gridiron Classic Saturday in St. George, Utah and performed well in front of the scouts.

Pacific lost 17-13 to the Mountain team as Dolan punted twice, averaging 46.5 yards per punt with one landing inside the five-yard line.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there,” Dolan said.  “I didn’t have the opportunity to boom any 50-plus-yard punts because I was just trying to pin them deep, and I felt good doing that.”

 Dolan’s career at Nicholls might be finished, but his football career may well be just getting started.  Dolan played on the Pacific team in the collegiate All-Star Bowl game with players from major BCS conferences such as the SEC, Big 10, Pac-10, Big East and Big 12.

 While playing for a small school, it can be hard to get recognized and gain the attention of scouts, and playing in the Dixie Gridiron Classic can only help.

“It was another opportunity for me to gain some exposure,” Dolan said.  “I’m just trying to get my name out there and try to continue to do well.”  

 Dolan had a stellar senior season for the Colonels, ranking 6th in punting in the FCS with a program-best 43.2 average.  Every football player has dreams of making it to the pro level, and Dolan is no exception.  Dolan said it’s been a lifelong dream of his to play in the NFL and to finally be within grasp is “just incredible.”

“To even be considered and to be up there with all those other names is surreal,” Dolan said. “I just have to keep training hard and manage to continue to get better so I can make it happen.  It’s an incredible feeling.”

 With the next level in Dolan’s football career in sight, he continues to stay humble and credit his past coaches for all of his success.

 “If it doesn’t go that way, I’m still more than happy,” Dolan said.  “Without Nicholls State and all the coaches I’ve had, none of this would be possible.”

 After the Dixie Gridiron Classic, scouts will get the film and study it before choosing which players they like and want.  In the meantime, Dolan will stay busy working on his kicking and prepping for the next level.

“The next couple weeks, I have a couple of camps,” Dolan said.  “Hopefully getting more film back and working with the staff out there will get me some exposure all over the league.”