So far it hasn't been the season receiver Catchings envisioned

By Cliff Kirkpatrick

Gazette-Times Reporter

It can be called the sophomore slump, but that means big things may occur when it's over.

That's what Darrell Catchings is experiencing this season, and hopes for the future.

His sophomore season with the Oregon State football team hasn't been going as smoothly as expected.

Playing for the Beavers hasn't been easy from the start, having to battle a physical setback, being throwing into a prominent role from the first day and now being relegated to backup after a fumble on the goal line in the season opener.

Catchings still remains optimistic about the season and his future. The coaches are behind him, rely on him now and expect him to be a go-to receiver next season and beyond when senior Sammie Stroughter graduates after this season.

"He's very capable with a lot talent," coach Mike Riley said. "I think he can be a very good receiver. He has to take it to the next level in practice, and not wait until Sammie is gone."

Catchings had high hopes after coming out of Escondido, Calif., as a standout from San Diego County. He was a versatile athlete with sprinter's speed.

During the summer before joining the team for training camp he found out he had diabetes. His lifestyle had to change.

Diabetes is a disease where the body does not produce or properly use insulin, according to the American Diabetes Association. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes remains unknown.

"It was kind of a shock," Catchings said. "I was worried because I didn't know how to handle it. But it's cool now."

As he was learning to improve his diet and maintain his insulin levels, Catchings impressed the coaches in training camp last year. When Stroughter's status was in question due to personal problems, Catchings was pressed into service as a true freshman.

He took over for Stroughter at split end, the primary receiver position in this offense. That's the deep pass guy, and the first person the quarterback looks to down field.

"It was fun being out there, but I was nervous being out there," Catchings said. "I was new to the game with the speed."

He turned in a steady season, catching at least one pass every game and finished with 33 receptions for 386 yards and one touchdown.

That was more of an impact than Stroughter had as a true freshman. He returned punts but wasn't ready to play as a receiver until his junior season.

"He matured a lot through that," Stroughter said. "As a freshman you always say you want to play, and when you do, it's whoa hold on. Then you see all the other stuff and what they hold you to."

Big things were expected for Catchings this season. However, the offseason training was difficult with the diabetes. He came to OSU at 185 pounds and is 175 now.

Football players commonly eat a large amount of calories and train hard. That helps them bulk up and gain strength. Catchings needs to portion his food out, and can't give his body too much.

His training translates into a more lean body, which is why he's smaller now.

"Sometimes it is tough to get bigger because with my diabetes, it's hard to gain weight," Catchings said. "But that's what I'm working on. That's the biggest problem for me. I'm getting stronger, but putting on the pounds is hard."

Catchings still had his speed and steady hands, so he had another solid training camp in August. He has seven catches for 95 yards this season.

He was the starting flanker and caught four passes for 54 yards in the season-opening loss at Stanford. His last catch would have put the Beavers on the 2-yard line with a chance to tie the game in the final seconds.

However, he tried to stretch the ball to the end zone and fumbled.

"I was feeling really bad about that," Catchings said. "But it wasn't hard to come back from that. I had my teammates to help me get through it. It happened and my teammates cheered me up and we moved on."

Also in that game was the emergence of Shane Morales. He earned a starting role, and that bumped Catchings from the lineup. Now Catchings goes in sporadically, but is the first outside receiver used off the bench.

The timing was just bad, making it look like Catchings is in the doghouse for the fumble when he isn't.

"He's handling it very well," wide receivers coach Jay Locey said of the demotion. "He is still pushing the team to be the best it can be. That's an admirable attribute. If called upon, he's ready to roll."

What keeps Catchings focused is the learning of his position. He plays behind Stroughter, and gets to watch a former All-American at work.

That wasn't the case last year with Stroughter out with a kidney injury. Catchings had to find his own way without top-level peer guidance.

"I'm just trying to learn more and get better this season, and it's not that bad not playing as much," Catchings said. "I'm learning a lot from Sammie. It's a big difference now that I get to see what he does, I'm learning a lot from him. And, yes, you always want to play as a true freshman, but I'm learning more this year and getting a better understanding of the game."

Stroughter has been one of the supportive players for Catchings, helping him through the rough patches.

He believes Catchings can excel when he's gone and thinks Catchings and James Rodgers make an exciting duo for the future.

"What I like about Darrell, he has that tenacity," Stroughter said. "He wants to play. He wants to get better and learn. You can't get mad at a kid like that. The position he's in is a tough one, but he's giving that extra to get on the field. He's building the confidence back. He has all the talent in the world. And when it's his time, he's going to shine."

His position coach agrees. When Stroughter is gone, Catchings should step back into the split end position better prepared.

"I think Darrell can absolutely be that guy," Locey said. "He just has to keep working on the little things. I don't think there's anything particular for Darrell. He just has to keep moving forward."