UC’s frosh QB working through rough spots
By Rick Ryan
Charleston Gazette
DeRante Hunter isn’t about to give himself a free pass on his performance this season as the quarterback for the University of Charleston.
Many people, including UC’s coaching staff, felt like there would be some bumps in the road as they turned to a redshirt freshman under center for a team that otherwise looked like a contender in the West Virginia Conference.
Sure enough, there were some rough spots for Hunter early in the season. He threw six interceptions and lost four fumbles in the Golden Eagles’ first three games. But since then his efficiency has improved and he’s won his first two conference starts, putting UC (4-1, 2-0) all alone atop the WVC standings.
Less has proven to be more for Hunter, who threw 53 passes in his first three games, was picked off six times and completed just 47 percent of his attempts.
However, in wins against West Virginia Wesleyan (33-6) and West Virginia State (49-32), he’s hit on 10-of-19 throws for 172 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He’s had just one turnover in that time, a lost fumble last week with the Golden Eagles safely ahead of State.
Moreover, the dual-threat QB has turned up his running skills a notch, gaining 202 yards and scoring twice on 40 carries in the two victories.
Hunter holds himself to higher standards than he showed in his first three games.
“I know I’m just a freshman,’’ he said, “and people will say, ‘Oh, you’re just a freshman and you’ll be better next year. You’ll know what to expect.’
“I’ll be thinking like that sometimes, but I feel the coach puts you in there to perform. Then I look at the seniors’ faces and I know when I’m looking at them, it’s their last time and I’ve got to do it for them. Even though I’ve got three more years, after this they ain’t got no more time. So I’ve got to give it all for my seniors.’’
UC coach Tony DeMeo is pleased with the maturation of his young quarterback and his team in general. However, he’s definitely not satisfied at this point.
“We have a ways to go,’’ DeMeo said after Saturday’s win at West Virginia State. “I felt like we ran the ball well [285 yards] and did some good things, and on defense, we created turnovers and scored off the turnovers.
“But we’re not even close to where we need to be. We have a long way to go. We’ve got to keep getting better every week. That’s been my mantra since I’ve been here, and it’s still the same thing. We’re a lot better than we were in Week 1 against Tusculum, but we just have to get better. I think we’re going to be pretty good, and if we keep improving, we’ll see that potential reached.’’
Charleston Gazette
DeRante Hunter isn’t about to give himself a free pass on his performance this season as the quarterback for the University of Charleston.
Many people, including UC’s coaching staff, felt like there would be some bumps in the road as they turned to a redshirt freshman under center for a team that otherwise looked like a contender in the West Virginia Conference.
Sure enough, there were some rough spots for Hunter early in the season. He threw six interceptions and lost four fumbles in the Golden Eagles’ first three games. But since then his efficiency has improved and he’s won his first two conference starts, putting UC (4-1, 2-0) all alone atop the WVC standings.
Less has proven to be more for Hunter, who threw 53 passes in his first three games, was picked off six times and completed just 47 percent of his attempts.
However, in wins against West Virginia Wesleyan (33-6) and West Virginia State (49-32), he’s hit on 10-of-19 throws for 172 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He’s had just one turnover in that time, a lost fumble last week with the Golden Eagles safely ahead of State.
Moreover, the dual-threat QB has turned up his running skills a notch, gaining 202 yards and scoring twice on 40 carries in the two victories.
Hunter holds himself to higher standards than he showed in his first three games.
“I know I’m just a freshman,’’ he said, “and people will say, ‘Oh, you’re just a freshman and you’ll be better next year. You’ll know what to expect.’
“I’ll be thinking like that sometimes, but I feel the coach puts you in there to perform. Then I look at the seniors’ faces and I know when I’m looking at them, it’s their last time and I’ve got to do it for them. Even though I’ve got three more years, after this they ain’t got no more time. So I’ve got to give it all for my seniors.’’
UC coach Tony DeMeo is pleased with the maturation of his young quarterback and his team in general. However, he’s definitely not satisfied at this point.
“We have a ways to go,’’ DeMeo said after Saturday’s win at West Virginia State. “I felt like we ran the ball well [285 yards] and did some good things, and on defense, we created turnovers and scored off the turnovers.
“But we’re not even close to where we need to be. We have a long way to go. We’ve got to keep getting better every week. That’s been my mantra since I’ve been here, and it’s still the same thing. We’re a lot better than we were in Week 1 against Tusculum, but we just have to get better. I think we’re going to be pretty good, and if we keep improving, we’ll see that potential reached.’’