DECORAH - For college defenses, freshmen quarterbacks are usually like chum in the ocean waters for sharks - there to be devoured.

Regardless of the gaudy statistics or all-conference accolades they bring with them from high school, there is a steep learning curve.

But Luther College linebacker Alex Mierau says one play during the team's preseason workouts proved Chris Reynolds wasn't your typical freshman.

With Luther's swarming defense forcing Reynolds out of the pocket and to his left (his non-throwing hand), the West Des Moines Valley grad scrambled, stopped and heaved a 60-yard pass to receiver Jesse Kent for a touchdown.

"At that moment," Mierau said, "we knew he had skills. We knew he could be special."

"The players were kind of an awe," Kent said. "His mobility of getting around in the pocket and getting the ball downfield, it was a great play."

Each week, Reynolds continues to give Norse fans a glimpse of the future - and its bright. The 6-foot, 190-pounder, who will play baseball for Luther in the spring, is accurate, elusive and smart.

Going into Saturday's game at Waldorf College, Reynolds is seventh in the Iowa Conference in rushing with 227 yards and 5.5 yards per carry. He has four touchdowns, one for 25 yards and another for 58 against Central last week.

Reynolds has thrown for 572 yards. More impressively, he's only been picked off once in 115 pass attempts.

"He's matured every day," Luther head coach Mike Durnin said. "He's become more and more of a leader in the huddle and on the sideline."

Reynolds' teammates have noticed.

"A lot of times with a freshman quarterback, you expect them to be a little jittery," Kent said, "but he's come in and led the huddle and led the team.

"He has great poise and confidence. You look at him and wouldn't even think he's a freshman. The way he's progressing, it's like he's been through college a couple of years."

Reynolds believes his one-year stint as the starting quarterback at Class 4A power West Des Moines Valley helped groom him for the IIAC.

"The college game is definitely different, but coach (Gary) Swenson was great at giving me advice and teaching me things like scanning the field when you come up to the line and reading coverages," Reynolds said. "That's a big part of the college game."

Most of the Iowa Conference schools recruited Reynolds. Central, Coe and Luther were on his short list.

"The campus, atmosphere, coaches and the guys on the team made this the right place," he said. "There was a combination of things that worked out well."

Durnin, who was hired last December as the head coach, said it was a significant get.

"We're very fortunate to get a young man of his talent," he said. "We spent quite a bit of time in his home with him and his family.

"We told him he'd have an opportunity to compete for the position, but I never give anyone a promise they'll play."

Reynolds battled for the starting spot with four others in fall camp. Eventually, the process weeded itself out as senior Zac Ruckebeil was moved to tight end and junior Darin Schneider shifted to the defensive secondary.

"(Chris) was the best guy," Durnin said. "The philosophy we had at UW-La Crosse and we'll follow here, we'll play the best person regardless of age."

Reynolds wasn't as confident - especially early on - in his abilities.

"It took a while to get comfortable with the offense," he said. "The guys here, they've really taken me in. They were going to respect whoever the quarterback was, but they've been great to work with."

In particular, Reynolds has developed a bond with Kent.

Kent, a senior from Manchester, has been the recipient of more than a third of Reynolds' 61 completions.

The two have hooked up at least four times in each game, including a season-high seven times against the Dutch.

"It's great having a playmaker like Jesse to go to," Reynolds said. "He's just a presence out there on the field.

"He's helped me a lot."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com