Post by Aggie One on Oct 12, 2005 11:45:17 GMT -5
www.newszap.com/articles/2005/10/11/dm/central_delaware/sports/dsnspt01.txt
DSU’s McBride catching on; Receiver leads MEAC in receptions, yards
By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News
Delaware State University junior wide receiver Shaheer McBride is seven catches behind Darnerian McCants for eighth place in school history. Delaware State News file photo
DOVER — By now, everyone in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference knows about Shaheer McBride.
As a sophomore, the Delaware State University wide receiver turned heads in his initial season as a Hornet, where he brought home conference Rookie of the Year honors.
The accolade wasn’t enough for McBride, though.
Knowing he’d soon be double-teamed and bumped at the line of scrimmage, McBride focused on improving during the offseason. He stayed at DSU over the summer working on routes and lifting weights.
“Stay in shape,” McBride said “You go home, you don’t do too much.”
The extra work has seemingly paid off as McBride leads the MEAC in receptions (30) and receiving yards (357).
And after Saturday’s 17-0 win over Bethune-Cookman, McBride is also climbing the ladder to some DelState receiving records.
Catching six balls for 113 yards Saturday, McBride is now seven catches behind former Hornets’ wideout Darnerian McCants for eighth place in school history. He is also 59 yards from 11th in receiving yards.
“Shaheer has made improvements in his route running, especially being able to get away from tight, bump-and-run coverage,” Lavan said. “He uses his quickness and size to separate.”
If McBride, who has 1,206 yards and eight touchdowns on 76 catches at DSU (2-1 conference, 3-3 overall), has been slowed this season, its been due to getting the timing down with redshirt freshman quarterback Vashon Winton.
Winton, who is also McBride’s roommate, showed poise finding McBride earlier this year. Against Millersville on Sept. 10, Winton connected with McBride in stride for a 77-yard touchdown pass.
But as DSU encountered a stretch of three road games against ranked opponents, McBride’s production dropped off. He caught 14 balls for just 76 yards in those games, which were all losses.
“Those three games helped his confidence,” McBride said of Winton. “Sometimes you have to go through bad times to get to the good times. I just try to talk to him and keep him focused and keep him confident.”
Winton and McBride hooked up early and often Saturday. Despite battling a muddy field and fierce rain, McBride was mostly open on slant routes.
It was his fifth 100-yard receiving game as a Hornet.
“I was kind of surprised on how much footing I had,” McBride said. “Now we are starting to click. We are focusing more and doing our assignments better.”
“It points to their determination and their confidence and skills,” Lavan said. “They came together this past weekend more-so than ever.”
McBride and Winton will have to continue that success again this weekend when the Hornets travel to North Carolina A&T (2-1, 3-3) for a 1:30 p.m. game. The MEAC contest is yet another make-or-break game for the Hornets’ conference title hopes.
“Every game now is important,” McBride said. “We can’t afford a loss.”
Staff writer Chris Gasiewski can be reached at 741-8231
or cgasiewski@newszap.com.
DSU’s McBride catching on; Receiver leads MEAC in receptions, yards
By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News
Delaware State University junior wide receiver Shaheer McBride is seven catches behind Darnerian McCants for eighth place in school history. Delaware State News file photo
DOVER — By now, everyone in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference knows about Shaheer McBride.
As a sophomore, the Delaware State University wide receiver turned heads in his initial season as a Hornet, where he brought home conference Rookie of the Year honors.
The accolade wasn’t enough for McBride, though.
Knowing he’d soon be double-teamed and bumped at the line of scrimmage, McBride focused on improving during the offseason. He stayed at DSU over the summer working on routes and lifting weights.
“Stay in shape,” McBride said “You go home, you don’t do too much.”
The extra work has seemingly paid off as McBride leads the MEAC in receptions (30) and receiving yards (357).
And after Saturday’s 17-0 win over Bethune-Cookman, McBride is also climbing the ladder to some DelState receiving records.
Catching six balls for 113 yards Saturday, McBride is now seven catches behind former Hornets’ wideout Darnerian McCants for eighth place in school history. He is also 59 yards from 11th in receiving yards.
“Shaheer has made improvements in his route running, especially being able to get away from tight, bump-and-run coverage,” Lavan said. “He uses his quickness and size to separate.”
If McBride, who has 1,206 yards and eight touchdowns on 76 catches at DSU (2-1 conference, 3-3 overall), has been slowed this season, its been due to getting the timing down with redshirt freshman quarterback Vashon Winton.
Winton, who is also McBride’s roommate, showed poise finding McBride earlier this year. Against Millersville on Sept. 10, Winton connected with McBride in stride for a 77-yard touchdown pass.
But as DSU encountered a stretch of three road games against ranked opponents, McBride’s production dropped off. He caught 14 balls for just 76 yards in those games, which were all losses.
“Those three games helped his confidence,” McBride said of Winton. “Sometimes you have to go through bad times to get to the good times. I just try to talk to him and keep him focused and keep him confident.”
Winton and McBride hooked up early and often Saturday. Despite battling a muddy field and fierce rain, McBride was mostly open on slant routes.
It was his fifth 100-yard receiving game as a Hornet.
“I was kind of surprised on how much footing I had,” McBride said. “Now we are starting to click. We are focusing more and doing our assignments better.”
“It points to their determination and their confidence and skills,” Lavan said. “They came together this past weekend more-so than ever.”
McBride and Winton will have to continue that success again this weekend when the Hornets travel to North Carolina A&T (2-1, 3-3) for a 1:30 p.m. game. The MEAC contest is yet another make-or-break game for the Hornets’ conference title hopes.
“Every game now is important,” McBride said. “We can’t afford a loss.”
Staff writer Chris Gasiewski can be reached at 741-8231
or cgasiewski@newszap.com.
