There was no time for Drew Heenan to process it.
One moment, he was Springfield’s three-year backup quarterback, watching his friend and starter TJ Welch lead the Pride’s offense. The next, Heenan was being called onto the field to keep Springfield’s season moving.
It was a moment Heenan had spent years preparing for. He just never expected it to come this way.
Welch was the starting quarterback last season, leading Springfield to another NEWMAC title. In the Pride’s mid-August scrimmage against Westfield State, three weeks before their 2026 season opener, Welch had been scheduled to play only the first drive. But after Springfield’s first possession was ended after a single play, the staff sent him back out.
On the ensuing drive, Welch suffered a lower-leg injury, likely ending his 2026 campaign. Emotions on the sideline were scattered. Few felt them more than Heenan.
“I was obviously shocked and upset when I saw TJ get hurt,” Heenan said. “Even outside of football, we’re good friends, and it was tough to see him so heartbroken. You’d never wish that on your worst enemy. It’s also crazy because I had to go on the field right after.”
Heenan did what the next-man-up mentality demanded. On his first snap, Springfield scored. Heenan quickly went over to check on Welch and console him. Then he realized there was more football to be played.
“I had to flip a switch and tell myself, ‘All right, I’m gonna do what I can do to keep the team afloat. Regardless of what happens, I’ll be ready.'”
Heenan was more than ready.
Three weeks later, Springfield faced Western New England at Stagg Field for the Pride’s season opener. Springfield was eager to seek revenge against the Golden Bears, who stunned the Pride 23-22 in the Pynchon SAW Game last year.
Heenan didn’t play in that rivalry, but he knew what was at stake. Leading up to the WNE game, he had only three starts under his belt, all coming in the 2024 playoffs after Jacob Silvester was injured in Springfield’s final regular-season game.
Head coach Mike Cerasuolo doesn’t believe Heenan ever needed to rise to an occasion. He was already prepared for it.
“The amount of preparation that Drew puts in is absolutely amazing. He’s always put in the work so that he has the opportunity to perform,” Cerasuolo said. “Drew has always been ready. When we talk about our program’s core values and the grit that he has, that passion and persistence to see everything through. Everybody’s, you know, crushed by what happened to TJ, but they know Drew is always prepared for any opportunity.”
The night came. So did Heenan’s first real opportunity as a starter in more than 21 months.
He needed just one drive before everything seemed to slow down.
With under eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, Heenan rolled to his right and launched a 30-air-yard strike to Caleb Hantho, who took it another 35 yards for a touchdown.
The score came on Heenan’s first pass attempt of the season. He finished 3-for-4 along with a career-high 131 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards and another touchdown in Springfield’s 42-28 win over WNE. His 131 passing yards were the most by a Springfield quarterback in a game since Silvester threw for 160 yards against WNE on Sept. 2, 2023.
“When I threw the touchdown to Caleb, that’s when we knew the game was ours,” Heenan said. “That’s when I was telling myself that we got this. There’s obviously stuff we could’ve done better, but it was amazing to play under those lights with the guys.”
Heenan’s 28-yard touchdown run in the second quarter pushed the Pride to a two-possession lead. Offensive coordinator Sam Nelson, calling plays above the press box, watched it unfold.
“Let’s go! That’s how you make a play happen,” Nelson yelled after Heenan scored. “That’s how you respond!”
Heenan’s success in 2026 came after a difficult 2025.
Fresh off three strong starts in the 2024 playoffs, and with Silvester gone, Heenan appeared poised to be the starter. Instead, the staff went in another direction, and he saw limited action, attempting two passes in two games. Transferring crossed Heenan’s mind, but after conversations with his family and high school coach, he decided Stagg Field will forever be home.
“It was definitely tough last season for me, especially in the beginning of the year. As the year went on, you realize, like, it’s not really about football,” Heenan said. “You make tremendous relationships here. I had conversations with my parents and my high school coach, and they’re like, ‘Take football out of it. Would you still want to be at the school?’ It was a no-brainer yes for me. The relationships we’ve built on this team are just one of a kind. I love this place, and I love being here.”
Now, everything is falling into place.
A physical education major with aspirations of becoming a coach, Heenan has already earned the confidence of Nelson, who believes his quarterback has a future on the sideline; its not with a uniform on.
“He’s probably the smartest person I’ve ever coached in terms of knowing his own players, knowing the opposition, what the defense is trying to do and how we can take advantage of that,” Nelson said. “Drew’s always going to play to his strengths. I can’t wait to have him as a grad assistant coach here.”
Heenan played to those strengths again in Springfield’s 48-0 win over Husson on Sept. 12. Now, he and the Pride turn their attention to No. 3 UW-Platteville on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The three-year backup is no longer waiting for his number to be called. He’s the one holding the ball.