Saturday, November 13, 1999
Miami receiver chasing records, too
Gaylor 5 catches, 3 TDs from school marks
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With Travis Prentice setting 35 Miami University records, it's hard for his teammates to get much attention.
But Trevor Gaylor has done that, in terms of the record books and the pro scouts.
Gaylor, a 6-foot-4, 192-pound senior from Hazelwood, Mo., is on the verge of moving into first place in every significant career receiving category at Miami.
Gaylor enters today's 1 p.m. game at Ohio University first in career yards (1,818). He needs five receptions and three touch down catches to move into first in those categories as well.
“I didn't really think about it until lately,” Gaylor said. “I'm enjoying it. The year's had its ups and downs, but it's been fun.”
Gaylor leads Miami with 39 catches for 715 yards and seven touchdowns. He's come on strong lately. He had 168 yards and three touchdowns against Cincinnati two weeks ago.
He's starting to get noticed by the pros. He has been invited to the Hula Bowl and the USA vs. Florida Stars game.
“A lot of teams love him,” Miami coach Terry Hoeppner said. “The Vikings were in this week, and they really like him. A lot of teams go for those tall receivers.”
Early in the year, Gaylor was playing in the shadow of fellow wideout Sly Johnson. Johnson had 476 yards and four TD catches before getting hurt early in the fourth game.
That changed things.
“With Sly, we had two good receivers, so I wasn't seeing any double coverage or funny looks,” Gaylor said.
Nate Sexton, a senior from LaSalle, replaced Johnson, but he doesn't have anywhere near Johnson's speed. So Gaylor moved into Johnson's position, and Sexton plays Gaylor's.
“Trevor's whole thing is consistency,” Hoeppner said. “He's had some spectacular games. It's different now that he's the guy.”
Gaylor expects to have a chance at a big game today in Athens. Prentice is coming off last week's 376-yard record-shattering day against Akron.
“I'm sure they're going to try to stop Travis,” Gaylor said.
The game is a big one for both schools. Ohio U., which has bounced back from an 0-3 start, enters 4-5 and 4-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats could actually win the MAC East. Marshall would have to lose today at Western Michigan, and then the Bobcats would have to win at Marshall.
Miami (6-3, 4-1) could win the MAC East with a win today and Marshall losses at Western and to Ohio.
Gaylor would like nothing more than to help the Miami cause with a couple of TD catches. That would give him 18, tying Jeremy Patterson's career mark.
“That's the one that means the most,” Gaylor said. “As offensive players, that's what we're supposed to do: score.”
Sports Stories
Reds raise ticket prices
Reds' Casey wins Hutch Award
New stadium might bar kids' play
Slow punting leaves Brice on shaky ground
Titans cautious of Bengals' upset
XU set for boarding school
No option for UC: Stop ECU's QB
