Tulane's legally blind long snapper breaks new ground

Tulane, which plays Temple this weekend, had many big plays Saturday in a 45-31 win over visiting Central Florida, but none had more significance than the last score, a PAT that extended the Green Wave's lead to 45-17 in the fourth quarter.

That will always be known as the first college play for long snapper Aaron Golub, a sophomore walk-on. And if he has anything to say about it, there will be more snaps in a career defined by courage.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Golub made a perfect snap as Matthew Wright booted the extra point.

"I watched it [on tape] and thought it was a good snap from what I could see," Golub said in a telephone interview.

What he can see doesn't match what his teammates or opponents are able to view. Golub was born legally blind, with no sight in his right eye and limited vision in his left.

"I am able to get on the field just fine," he said.

Tulane said Golub became the first legally blind player to play in a Football Bowl Subdivision game. Never was a non-game-winning point-after kick met with such elation.

Coach Curtis Johnson said he didn't alert anyone on the sideline that he was sending Golub into the game. Central Florida also didn't know. Once the kick was made, Golub's teammates showed their affection.

"They were hugging him and carrying him off the field and it was a special moment, the most pleasant moment of the day, seeing that and seeing the reaction to it," Johnson said.

Johnson said he didn't know if Golub would make the trip to Lincoln Financial Field against Temple because there are a limited number of players who travel.

"I don't know if he will have a number this week since we are traveling, but if we do, he is my first guy I will definitely put on a plane," Johnson said.

The decision won't be made until later in the week, according to Golub.

No one understands the difficulty of Golub's job more than Temple sophomore Corey Lerch, who is in his second season as the Owls' long snapper.

"The fact that it is hard to see where he is snapping is difficult enough and getting it back with a spiral and the laces out is unbelievable," Lerch said.

Temple coach Matt Rhule said it's an inspirational story

"I think it is just amazing," Rhule said. "Number one, the guts and character of that kid, what a message it must be to the other guys on the team."

Golub said he has been playing football since the seventh grade. He began as a two-way lineman, but by the end of his sophomore year he started concentrating on long snapping since he felt that would be his best shot to play college football.

Now he is a business major and a football player.

Johnson suggested that there will be other long-snapping opportunities and Golub himself doesn't want to be a one-hit wonder.

"It was such a great experience to get in the game and contribute," said Golub, who hails from Newtown, Mass. "My goal is seeing more playing time and hopefully to try to earn the starting spot."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

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