ALBANY - University at Albany quarterback Kai Colon knows history. He earned a bachelor's degree in that major from Princeton University, plus a minor in classical studies.
He'll revisit his not-so-distant past when the Great Danes (2-2) face the Tigers (0-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday in Princeton, N.J.
Colon, a Middletown native, started for Princeton as a senior last fall. Since graduate students can't compete in the Ivy League, Colon transferred to UAlbany this season for his fifth year of eligibility.
"I'm super-excited (to return)," Colon said. "I've got a lot of people coming. I'm excited to see all my old friends. It's going to be fun."
At the same time, Colon described the nonleague contest as "just another game."
"Once again, I think I'm just more excited to see everyone," he said. "I haven't seen them in a little bit since I've been here. It's going to be good -- a little reunion this week."
UAlbany is trying to get back on track after a 28-20 home loss to Coastal Athletic Association rival Monmouth last week. The Great Danes rallied from a 28-7 deficit before falling short.
"I think we can fight, no matter what, no matter the circumstances," Colon said. "I think we're going to carry that the rest of the season."
After winning the starting job over Aidan Semo in training camp, Colon has completed 52.3% of his passes for 617 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions this season.
Against Monmouth, he threw a pair of first-half interceptions. The first was tipped at the line of scrimmage on the game's second play and returned for a touchdown and the second was picked off at the Hawks' 2.
He did rebound to throw a pinpoint 21-yard scoring pass to Matthew Iuvara in the third quarter.
"(Colon) could have easily started to not see things and play pressed, and I don't think he did that," UAlbany coach Tom Perkovich said. "He stayed in the moment. We all want some things back from that game, but, overall, I think he's a pretty level-headed kid and stayed in the moment."
Colon waited for his moment at Princeton. He didn't start until his senior year. He passed for 1,711 yards and nine touchdowns as the Tigers went 3-7 under head coach Bob Surace.
Surace wasn't available for an interview about the game or Colon. The Tigers lost their opener 21-14 at Bryant last Saturday.
Surace did discuss Colon and UAlbany defensive back Sekou Roland, also a Princeton transfer, on the "First in Football" podcast.
"We'd rather the opponent on the other team not be as good as Kai and Sekou," Surace said. "But those guys getting an opportunity to extend their eligibility and play, there are chances to further their education. Both of those guys love to compete."
At UAlbany, Colon is pursuing a graduate degree in artificial intelligence for business.
"Yeah, so, kind of a switch-up," Colon said. "I just thought it would be interesting, something else to learn and ideally get into finance after football."
Colon said he learned how to be a better leader at Princeton. He said Tigers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Rosenbaum taught him a "great deal" about football and reading defenses.
Colon was raised to be a quarterback. His father, Ali, played the position at Division III William Paterson.
"I mean, he's taught me everything I know, just about being a man, being a leader, and, obviously, playing football, I think he's doing a great job with my upbringing," Kai Colon said.
Colon said his knowledge of Princeton's defense could help him on Saturday, "but we still have to go out there and play." He expects a decent crowd for the home opener at Princeton Stadium.
UAlbany contacted Colon after he entered the transfer portal last winter and he hit it off with the coaching staff. Perkovich said he didn't read much into whether having a Princeton graduate at quarterback could help the Great Danes on Saturday.
"I'm sure (Princeton) will always be special to him and it's probably weird for him, as it is for (Roland), any time you're going against friends," Perkovich said. "Definitely, I'm sure for him, he's trying to do whatever he can to help our team win."
SubscribeThere’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at UAlbany quarterback Kai Colon to face Princeton, his former team, on Saturday.