UC's Hunter glad to get back 8-27-07
UC's Hunter glad to get back to competitive football
By Michael Dailey
Daily Mail sportswriter
When University of Charleston quarterback DeRante Hunter stepped under center in Saturday's season-opening win over Tusculum College, it was the first time in nearly two years that he'd faced live competition on a football field.
Sure, there had been hundreds of reps in practice and intra-squad scrimmages, but not any contact with an opponent seeking to de-cleat him on every play of every possession.
That's what made Saturday afternoon a special day for the redshirt freshman from Sarasota, Fla.
"I'm glad to get this game under my belt, considering that my last game was Dec. 9, 2005 in senior high school," said Hunter, after UC rallied for a 27-23 win before 3,621 fans at UC Stadium.
"All those games were at night, so I had to get used to playing in this heat, too. But the speed difference is the biggest thing. Guys here are a lot faster than high school.
"To get this first game out of the way and come out with a winning performance is great. I know I can still play a lot better, but it still was good enough for the win."
That's the most important aspect of Hunter's performance as far as UC Coach Tony DeMeo was concerned.
"The big thing I liked is that we won the game," said DeMeo. "That's the sign of a good quarterback. If a team wins a game, then the quarterback's done something right.
"I was happy with his performance, but he's going to get a lot better. He played well. He bowed up and played tough when he had to.
"I think he's going to be a good football player. I really do."
Hunter, 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, was solid in his collegiate debut while connecting on 11-of-18 passes for 168 yards with a pair of touchdowns, a pair of interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles.
Hunter also added 92 yards rushing, including a 35-yard touchdown scamper on the first play of the third quarter.
"That's a good day," said DeMeo of Hunter, who sports a 3.1 grade-point average. "He had a couple of touchdown passes and ran for another. I think he's learning the offense now and he's going to keep getting better.
"He made a few bad decisions in the game and threw a couple of ill advised balls, but that can be expected in a first start.
"He's got the qualities I like in a quarterback. He thinks quick, runs quick and makes good decisions. That's really what it's about.
"He's not the biggest guy in the world, but the atomic bomb wasn't all that big either. I think he's going to be a real good one. He's got a lot of quickness and a lot of speed, but more importantly, he's got a lot of heart and a lot of brains."
While pleased with his performance overall, Hunter also sees plenty of room for improvement.
"My running and my decision making when I ran were good," said Hunter. "But I need to work on my throwing decisions. They can get better, as can our option connection. All those things will get worked out in time.
"I've got to improve my decision-making. I just need to be a smart quarterback."
Hunter's performance was equaled on the Golden Eagles' defensive side by junior defensive back Chris Rotella. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder had a three and a half minute stretch that most players only dream of.
With 3:24 left to play and the Golden Eagles trailing the Pioneers, 23-20, Rotella pounced on a mishandled snap in the Tusculum end zone to give UC a 27-23 lead.
Then, after the Pioneers had driven to the UC 10-yard line, Rotella fell on another fumble, this one in the Golden Eagles' end zone.
For good measure, Rotella's interception of a Hail Mary pass on the game's final play, secured the win.
"The defense did a good job today," said DeMeo. "It's gotten to the point that I expect that type of play from our defense."
By Michael Dailey
Daily Mail sportswriter
When University of Charleston quarterback DeRante Hunter stepped under center in Saturday's season-opening win over Tusculum College, it was the first time in nearly two years that he'd faced live competition on a football field.
Sure, there had been hundreds of reps in practice and intra-squad scrimmages, but not any contact with an opponent seeking to de-cleat him on every play of every possession.
That's what made Saturday afternoon a special day for the redshirt freshman from Sarasota, Fla.
"I'm glad to get this game under my belt, considering that my last game was Dec. 9, 2005 in senior high school," said Hunter, after UC rallied for a 27-23 win before 3,621 fans at UC Stadium.
"All those games were at night, so I had to get used to playing in this heat, too. But the speed difference is the biggest thing. Guys here are a lot faster than high school.
"To get this first game out of the way and come out with a winning performance is great. I know I can still play a lot better, but it still was good enough for the win."
That's the most important aspect of Hunter's performance as far as UC Coach Tony DeMeo was concerned.
"The big thing I liked is that we won the game," said DeMeo. "That's the sign of a good quarterback. If a team wins a game, then the quarterback's done something right.
"I was happy with his performance, but he's going to get a lot better. He played well. He bowed up and played tough when he had to.
"I think he's going to be a good football player. I really do."
Hunter, 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, was solid in his collegiate debut while connecting on 11-of-18 passes for 168 yards with a pair of touchdowns, a pair of interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles.
Hunter also added 92 yards rushing, including a 35-yard touchdown scamper on the first play of the third quarter.
"That's a good day," said DeMeo of Hunter, who sports a 3.1 grade-point average. "He had a couple of touchdown passes and ran for another. I think he's learning the offense now and he's going to keep getting better.
"He made a few bad decisions in the game and threw a couple of ill advised balls, but that can be expected in a first start.
"He's got the qualities I like in a quarterback. He thinks quick, runs quick and makes good decisions. That's really what it's about.
"He's not the biggest guy in the world, but the atomic bomb wasn't all that big either. I think he's going to be a real good one. He's got a lot of quickness and a lot of speed, but more importantly, he's got a lot of heart and a lot of brains."
While pleased with his performance overall, Hunter also sees plenty of room for improvement.
"My running and my decision making when I ran were good," said Hunter. "But I need to work on my throwing decisions. They can get better, as can our option connection. All those things will get worked out in time.
"I've got to improve my decision-making. I just need to be a smart quarterback."
Hunter's performance was equaled on the Golden Eagles' defensive side by junior defensive back Chris Rotella. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder had a three and a half minute stretch that most players only dream of.
With 3:24 left to play and the Golden Eagles trailing the Pioneers, 23-20, Rotella pounced on a mishandled snap in the Tusculum end zone to give UC a 27-23 lead.
Then, after the Pioneers had driven to the UC 10-yard line, Rotella fell on another fumble, this one in the Golden Eagles' end zone.
For good measure, Rotella's interception of a Hail Mary pass on the game's final play, secured the win.
"The defense did a good job today," said DeMeo. "It's gotten to the point that I expect that type of play from our defense."