Roberson not frustrated with limited catches

Quin Roberson

VALDOSTA — Last year, Gerald Ford was sitting in the grandstands watching the Valdosta State Blazers finish with a 6-4 record. In his absence, the Blazer receiving corps featured three players rise and lead the team in receptions, all of whom finished the year with over 30 catches. Another player finished with 24 One player led the team in receptions, while another led the team in yards and touchdowns.

It was a balanced receiving corps, and Quin Roberson was a big piece to that balanced attack.

Now that Ford is back with the Blazers this year, and now that he has regained his old form,  the balance is somewhat gone and some Blazer receivers that made impacts last year are seeing their numbers decline this season. One those of those players is Roberson, who finished the 2011 season with 31 catches for 382 yard with four touchdowns.

This season, Ford has been the go-to target for Blazers quarterbacks. He leads the team in receptions (28), yards (476) and touchdowns (8). With Ford's production up and the emergence of Regginald Lewis, Roberson's numbers are down. He still has faith that he can have a big game and he isn't getting too concerned about it, as long as the Blazers (4-2, 1-1 in Gulf South Conference) keep winning.

"It would be nice to have a break out game," Roberson said. "I feel good out wide, but right now I am just playing my role, as well as anybody else."

Roberson's role has been limited this season. He has just 14 catches for 182 yards with a pair of touchdowns, both of which have come late in blowout victories. He isn't frustrated, though. If anything, he is enjoying his time playing next to a wide receiver like Ford.

"It can't be too frustrating when you have a player like Gerald Ford next to you," Roberson said. "It is not very frustrating to me. You know, in games, I get the thought in the back of my mind, 'hey, throw me the ball.' But it is not too big of a deal."

While his receiving numbers are down, Roberson has still been able to make an impact this season, though. He is the Blazers' starting punt returner,  a position he solidified when Greg Reid was injured during a preseason scrimmage.  In 12 returns this season, Roberson is averaging 17.42 yards per return and he has a school-record 94-yard return under his belt.

"I have other opportunities, as far as returning kicks," Roberson said.

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