All of the Bobcats want to pick up where they left off last year, but that process is a little different for Riley Dunlop.
The redshirt junior wide receiver returned to the field Tuesday on the first day of spring practice after missing the latter half of the 2009 season. He was forced to sit out due to a torn labrum - a tear in the cartilage surrounding the shoulder joint.
I've never missed a game in my life
said Dunlop, who was injured Oct. 10 against Akron. Knowing I had to miss the rest of the season it hurt pretty bad but I just got to deal with it and bounce back.
Dunlop averaged 10.2 yards per catch before the injury, and finished the season fourth on the team in receiving touchdowns (2) and yards per game (20.3). He also returned punts with LaVon Brazill in a two-returner formation, which the team abandoned after Dunlop's injury.
Despite efforts from Terrence McCrae and Steven Goulet, the offense missed Dunlop on the field, wide receivers coach Dwayne Dixon said.
Riley has an ability to make plays that maybe some other people might not make because of his tenacity
because of his yearning to excel
Dixon said.
That playmaking ability, which Dunlop displayed numerous times last season, was back in Peden Stadium Monday.
In a 7-on-7 drill, Phil Bates passed to Dunlop on an out pattern amidst a double team, but that didn't faze Dunlop. He snatched the ball with outside linebacker Jelani Woseley in his face.
Dunlop's injury helped him form a bond with another Bobcat signal caller - Boo Jackson.
Jackson and Dunlop spend a lot of time off the field together, and Jackson went to Dunlop's house over spring break.
They spent even more time together last year because each player dealt with a season-ending injury.
Jackson and Dunlop suffered the same injury, a torn labrum. Jackson was sidelined during the Bobcats' victory against North Texas, while Dunlop's season ended four games later.
In another coincidental twist, fellow roommate and cornerback Billy Gonzales-Santos suffered a season-ending knee injury. Gonzales joined his roommates after the Akron game.
Everybody's saying it was the house
Dunlop said. It's cursed or something. We should get out of there
probably.
It was definitely hard for all of us to be down and sitting on the sideline, watching our teammates, but stuff comes. You got to work through it, and we're alright now.
On the field
Dunlop's most productive season so far came with Jackson at the helm of the offense two seasons ago. Dunlop averaged 12.6 yards per catch that season and was fifth on the team in receptions with 22.
Still
both players insisted that Jackson throws toward Dunlop no more often than other receivers.
Of course, (Dunlop)'s going to have a big target on his back just because he is my roommate, Jackson said. Listen, he doesn't get any special love just because he's my roommate. Coming out here, you have to treat everyone just the same. If someone's open, you have to get them the ball.
No matter who's throwing the ball
Dunlop expects to have a big season.
I'm just looking to build off last season, where I left off, he said. I feel like I'm going to be stronger this year, faster and try to take it all the way.",",2,Sports,Matt Wagner,31126a.jpg,Ohio wide receiver Riley Dunlop fights through two Tennessee defensemen Sept. 27 at Tennessee. Dunlop recently returned to spring training after suffering a torn labrum
which is connective tissue in the shoulder joint
