Temple University Athletics
WR Romond Deloatch
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
True Freshman Romond Deloatch Evolves
11.10.12 | Football
By Kami Mattioli, Owlsports.com columnist
PHILADELPHIA -- Even though the Owls as a unit got their wings clipped by an explosive Cincinnati Bearcats team, a few of them had an opportunity to soar today.
Perhaps the one that flew the highest was true freshman wide receiver Romond Deloatch, a 6-5 high school standout from Phoebus High in Hampton, Va.
Deloatch, who appeared in a handful of games this season in relief of junior Deon Miller, has had a few opportunities to get his hands on the ball this season, but had yet to convert those chances into a reception -- until this afternoon at least.
Temple opened up the second quarter on a third-and-seven from its own 43-yard-line where starting quarterback Chris Coyer drilled a wide-open Deloatch for an 11-yard completion -- the first of his career.
It was a critical moment in the forward progression of the young freshman's development, especially after struggling in recent weeks to find a groove.
“I was a little nervous last week at Louisville with all the fans. I hadn't had a catch all year,” Deloatch said after the game. “Coming into this game today, Coach told me to be patient and calm -- to let the ball come to me -- and just play.”
“After that first catch, it was on,” he continued.
Sure enough, some 15 odd minutes later at the beginning of the third quarter, back-up quarterback Clinton “Juice” Granger was able to connect with Deloatch yet again -- this time on a third-and-10 -- to pick up 17 yards and another first down for the Owls.
He attributed much of his struggle to what he calls “freshman jitterbugs” and the uncertainty surrounding his status on the team.
“At first the coaches wanted to redshirt me this season,” he explained. “Then they decided that I needed to play this year which was a little unexpected, so I was nervous. Now I'm ready to get out there and play though.”
A self-described “playmaker”, Deloatch couldn't solve all of the Owls' offensive woes today, but he certainly caught the eye of head coach Steve Addazio, who heaped praise on the freshman in his post-game press conference.
“There were some positives that came out of today,” Addazio said as he addressed the media. “I thought Romond Deloatch, young freshman, came into the game today and all of a sudden we kind of said 'that's it, we're going full-out now.' He made some really nice catches -- that big 6-5, 6-6 target out there.”
At 6-5, it's hard to miss Deloatch, even without the signature of his now-shorn dreadlocks creeping out from under his helmet. Taking a look at today's stat sheet solidifies his presence on the field. He finished the game with a team-best four receptions for 42 yards.
“You can see the makings of a great football player in Romond Deloatch. That's pretty obvious to the eye,” Addazio said.
PHILADELPHIA -- Even though the Owls as a unit got their wings clipped by an explosive Cincinnati Bearcats team, a few of them had an opportunity to soar today.
Perhaps the one that flew the highest was true freshman wide receiver Romond Deloatch, a 6-5 high school standout from Phoebus High in Hampton, Va.
Deloatch, who appeared in a handful of games this season in relief of junior Deon Miller, has had a few opportunities to get his hands on the ball this season, but had yet to convert those chances into a reception -- until this afternoon at least.
Temple opened up the second quarter on a third-and-seven from its own 43-yard-line where starting quarterback Chris Coyer drilled a wide-open Deloatch for an 11-yard completion -- the first of his career.
It was a critical moment in the forward progression of the young freshman's development, especially after struggling in recent weeks to find a groove.
“I was a little nervous last week at Louisville with all the fans. I hadn't had a catch all year,” Deloatch said after the game. “Coming into this game today, Coach told me to be patient and calm -- to let the ball come to me -- and just play.”
“After that first catch, it was on,” he continued.
Sure enough, some 15 odd minutes later at the beginning of the third quarter, back-up quarterback Clinton “Juice” Granger was able to connect with Deloatch yet again -- this time on a third-and-10 -- to pick up 17 yards and another first down for the Owls.
He attributed much of his struggle to what he calls “freshman jitterbugs” and the uncertainty surrounding his status on the team.
“At first the coaches wanted to redshirt me this season,” he explained. “Then they decided that I needed to play this year which was a little unexpected, so I was nervous. Now I'm ready to get out there and play though.”
A self-described “playmaker”, Deloatch couldn't solve all of the Owls' offensive woes today, but he certainly caught the eye of head coach Steve Addazio, who heaped praise on the freshman in his post-game press conference.
“There were some positives that came out of today,” Addazio said as he addressed the media. “I thought Romond Deloatch, young freshman, came into the game today and all of a sudden we kind of said 'that's it, we're going full-out now.' He made some really nice catches -- that big 6-5, 6-6 target out there.”
At 6-5, it's hard to miss Deloatch, even without the signature of his now-shorn dreadlocks creeping out from under his helmet. Taking a look at today's stat sheet solidifies his presence on the field. He finished the game with a team-best four receptions for 42 yards.
“You can see the makings of a great football player in Romond Deloatch. That's pretty obvious to the eye,” Addazio said.
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