Post by rainman on Aug 30, 2007 5:52:05 GMT -5
Ready for action
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— One reason West Virginia All-America tailback is “very anxious” to start a new season is that he didn’t like the way last year’s campaign ended from a personal viewpoint.
His dislocated wrist, which he tried to hide from opposing teams, kept getting worse and finally got the best of him. As a result, the two lowest productive performances of his career came near the end.
The 5-10, 195-pound junior from Levittown, Pa., netted just 43 yards on 18 carries in the 24-19 upset loss to South Florida on Nov. 25 at home, Then he rushed just three times for 11 yards in the Gator Bowl victory over Georgia Tech on Jan. 1, 2007. He was also limited by a deep thigh bruise in that game.
In between those games, Slaton had 112 yards and scored twice in the triple-overtime 41-39 win against Rutgers.
“Those last games didn’t go the way I wanted them to go,” he recalled Monday night. “So I’m real ready. I wish the game were tomorrow, today, anytime. Just so it’s soon.”
Slaton, who underwent surgery on the wrist during the offseason, said it feels fine now and that he’s looking forward to playing without pain – and without interruption – in 2007 for the third-ranked Mountaineers.
“I feel like everything is where it needs to be,” he said. “I feel 100 percent healthy. I don’t think the wrist will be a problem.”
Despite the health-created limitations, Slaton still broke the school rushing record with 1,744 yards last season. That topped by 34 yards the standard Avon Cobourne set in 2002.
Asked whether he thought 2,000 yards rushing was a possibility this year, he replied: “I don’t think anything is out of the question. With a good start, I think any goal is reachable.”
Slaton has said he always wanted to be the best player at his position, and he most certainly has proved that since starting the fifth game of his freshman season. He also wants to get better each year, and he has done that so far.
He finished fourth in the Heisman balloting in 2006. He’s expected to be even more of a threat for college football’s most prestigious award in 2007.
“I think the third time around is going to be a good time,” he said, “Heisman race or not, I’m going to strive to be the best. You just want to play real hard in every game. You want to put everything on the field.”
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— One reason West Virginia All-America tailback is “very anxious” to start a new season is that he didn’t like the way last year’s campaign ended from a personal viewpoint.
His dislocated wrist, which he tried to hide from opposing teams, kept getting worse and finally got the best of him. As a result, the two lowest productive performances of his career came near the end.
The 5-10, 195-pound junior from Levittown, Pa., netted just 43 yards on 18 carries in the 24-19 upset loss to South Florida on Nov. 25 at home, Then he rushed just three times for 11 yards in the Gator Bowl victory over Georgia Tech on Jan. 1, 2007. He was also limited by a deep thigh bruise in that game.
In between those games, Slaton had 112 yards and scored twice in the triple-overtime 41-39 win against Rutgers.
“Those last games didn’t go the way I wanted them to go,” he recalled Monday night. “So I’m real ready. I wish the game were tomorrow, today, anytime. Just so it’s soon.”
Slaton, who underwent surgery on the wrist during the offseason, said it feels fine now and that he’s looking forward to playing without pain – and without interruption – in 2007 for the third-ranked Mountaineers.
“I feel like everything is where it needs to be,” he said. “I feel 100 percent healthy. I don’t think the wrist will be a problem.”
Despite the health-created limitations, Slaton still broke the school rushing record with 1,744 yards last season. That topped by 34 yards the standard Avon Cobourne set in 2002.
Asked whether he thought 2,000 yards rushing was a possibility this year, he replied: “I don’t think anything is out of the question. With a good start, I think any goal is reachable.”
Slaton has said he always wanted to be the best player at his position, and he most certainly has proved that since starting the fifth game of his freshman season. He also wants to get better each year, and he has done that so far.
He finished fourth in the Heisman balloting in 2006. He’s expected to be even more of a threat for college football’s most prestigious award in 2007.
“I think the third time around is going to be a good time,” he said, “Heisman race or not, I’m going to strive to be the best. You just want to play real hard in every game. You want to put everything on the field.”
