Record-holder Codi Mullen seeks more yardage, team success for Knoch

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, August 19, 2023 | 9:50 AM

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Codi Mullen has a unique opportunity this fall.

He has the chance to break his own school record.

Mullen, a junior quarterback, threw for 1,660 yards last year, breaking a 35-year Knoch record for passing yards in a season.

It was a highlight in a difficult season for the Knights, in which they played a predominantly road schedule while their home stadium was being renovated.

Now Mullen will look to build off his record-breaking season and try to lead the Knights to more victories after one win in 2022.

“The beginning of the season, I had no clue,” Mullen said of breaking a school record. “I was just going out there and trying to play my best. I think it was about Week 8 when my dad told me I had a shot at it. Going into the last game (against Valley) I knew I had to hit over 200 yards. I threw an arrow to Jake Murphy that went for an 80-yard touchdown, and as I was walking off the field, everyone was telling me that I broke the record. In that moment, I was a little shocked that I got it.”

Murphy, Mullen’s top target last season, is now at Slippery Rock. Mullen is confident that there are a few players who can step up to fill the void.

“We did lose Murphy, but we have Kaden Spencer that I know will step up this year, and Jackson Bauman is pretty good,” Mullen said. “I know my line will help me out, too. Hopefully, I can break the record again. That would be pretty cool.”

Another advantage Mullen has is this will be his second season working in Knights coach Tim Burchett’s system. Burchett and his staff overhauled the offensive scheme last year after the team previously used a run-heavy triple-option style offense.

Burchett likened the change to having his players learn a new language.

There were growing pains, but through the work they have put in, Mullen is confident the team is in a good position to succeed in Year 2.

“It’s all about teamwork,” Mullen said. “We have to communicate and play together. If one of us doesn’t do our job, the play doesn’t work. We’ve put hours and hours in over the summer, and I think it’ll pay off this year.”

Mullen will have the distinction of wearing No. 5 on his jersey this season, a number that is significant at Knoch.

It was the number the late Tim McNerney wore for the Knights. It is given to a player with the purpose of honoring McNerney’s memory.

In the past, the number primarily had been reserved for running backs, which is the position McNerney played, but it will be a quarterback wearing it this fall.

It’s a privilege that Mullen does not take for granted.

“It’s just an honor to wear it,” Mullen said. “It’s awesome. It’s been my favorite number forever. I’ve always looked at it as you have to earn that number to wear it, and I want to be that player.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

Tags: Knoch