Colin Payne’s freshman season ends quickly with Golden Wolves

By Mike Drago Last updated Oct 13, 2022

Colin Payne enjoyed a record-setting debut with Alvernia. (Alvernia University photo)

Colin Payne’s promising freshman season at Alvernia lasted just three games.

The former Exeter standout suffered a torn ACL in the Golden Wolves’ Sept. 17 game at Stevenson University and was lost for the season. He had surgery on his right knee earlier this week.

The quarterback set a program record in Alvernia’s season opener, throwing for 380 yards against Ursinus; he completed 24-of-48 passes with a pair of touchdowns.

A week later he completed 19-of-29 passes with three touchdowns in a 38-35 win at Oberlin College, the first win for Golden Wolves head coach Steve Azzanesi.

He was enjoying another big game the following week against Stevenson, completing 16-of-26 passes for 217 yards and three TDs before injuring his knee on a non-contact play. Azzanesi said Payne was rolling out to pass when his knee gave out.

An MRI later revealed a tear in his right knee.

Azzanesi said Payne should be eligible for a medical redshirt, which would allow him to play a fifth season.

Alvernia coach Steve Azzanesi with Colin Payne.

“I told him about the history we’ve had with quarterbacks (granted) a fifth year,” Azzanesi said. “They’ve been pretty unbelievable. They come back faster, and stronger. I know this is a bummer for him, but in the long run he’ll be able to do tremendous things here.”

Senior Kevin Washington stepped in as Alvernia’s starting quarterback in its loss to Lebanon Valley College last week and completed 11-of-15 passes for 62 yards. Monte Morris, who was moved to tight end when Payne emerged as the top quarterback in summer camp, has returned to quarterback. He saw time there against Lebanon Valley, completing 1-of-4 passes.

“Kevin is an experienced guy and has played a lot of college football snaps,” Azzanesi said. “We have a lot of confidence in him.”

Recovery time following ACL surgery can be 9-12 months. Azzanesi said he is hopeful Payne will be recovered in time for the start of next season.

Payne won’t be able to play basketball for the Golden Wolves, as he was planning. He was a Class 5A All-State pick for Exeter as a senior, when he averaged 18.4 points per game and made 54 3-pointers in 28 games.

Over three games for Alvernia Payne completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 778 yards and eight TDs, with four interceptions.

At Exeter, Payne set the program record for passing yards in a season, throwing for 2,381 yards as a senior as the Eagles won the District 3 Class 5A championship. His 2,868 career yards rank fourth in program history, despite him being a full-time starter just one season.