Central ohio watch
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday November 18, 2014 4:41 AM
Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
Pity the placekicker, who isn’t really considered a football player but a nonathlete who seldom gets his uniform stained.
At the University of Toledo, though, teammates always have viewed Jeremiah Detmer to be one of the boys. They even elected him a captain.
“The players know how much I care about this team and they know I am passionate,” said Detmer, a senior from Hilliard Davidson. “When I have something to say, I do think my teammates listen. I do think the guys respect me.”
There has been no finer placekicker in the Mid-American Conference over the past three seasons than Detmer. He has converted on 64 of 74 field-goal attempts, including 16 of 20 from 40 yards or more.
In 2013, he was voted the MAC special teams player of the year and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after hitting 19 of 20 field-goal attempts, including all six from beyond 40 yards.
The biggest honor was when the Rockets voted Detmer one of their captains.
“We pick captains in the fall during two-a-day camp,” he said. “Everybody who is interested in becoming a captain can speak in front of the team. Then we vote. I do think I had a chance because I’ve built relationships. But being a kicker is not your typical captain.”
When the names were announced, Detmer felt a surge of emotion.
“I’ve been on championship teams and gotten accolades, but that meant the world to me hearing that,” he said. “I’m not the rah-rah type for speeches on game day. But the captains do talk. I do take a while to think about what I’m going to say because it is important.”
Toledo (6-4, 5-1) is bowl-eligible, but as a mid-major probably needs another victory to be considered for a bid.
Detmer has given some thought about getting a chance to kick in the NFL, but not this week. The Rockets play rival Bowling Green on Wednesday on ESPN2.
“That would be great to get that opportunity, but I’m focusing on the next few games,” he said. “ I’ve been asked about that a lot. You might hear me consistently say I’m just living the dream. We’v e got it good here. We must cherish the time we have on this team.”
Life can be difficult for placekickers in the MAC because, with few exceptions, most stadiums are open in at least one end zone and the wind can play tricks.
“The MAC is notorious for wind, but swirling wind,” Detmer said. “It could be blowing one way in one part of the stadium and another way in another part. But it’s part of the job. You show up and keep the same kicking technique. It’s very much like golf.”
Detmer is an education major with designs on teaching high-school social studies.
Would he like to return to Davidson?
“That would be great,” he said. “I’d look into coaching, too.”
Sent from my iPhone
The Columbus Dispatch
Tuesday November 18, 2014 4:41 AM
Jeremiah Detmer, Toledo
Pity the placekicker, who isn’t really considered a football player but a nonathlete who seldom gets his uniform stained.
At the University of Toledo, though, teammates always have viewed Jeremiah Detmer to be one of the boys. They even elected him a captain.
“The players know how much I care about this team and they know I am passionate,” said Detmer, a senior from Hilliard Davidson. “When I have something to say, I do think my teammates listen. I do think the guys respect me.”
There has been no finer placekicker in the Mid-American Conference over the past three seasons than Detmer. He has converted on 64 of 74 field-goal attempts, including 16 of 20 from 40 yards or more.
In 2013, he was voted the MAC special teams player of the year and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after hitting 19 of 20 field-goal attempts, including all six from beyond 40 yards.
The biggest honor was when the Rockets voted Detmer one of their captains.
“We pick captains in the fall during two-a-day camp,” he said. “Everybody who is interested in becoming a captain can speak in front of the team. Then we vote. I do think I had a chance because I’ve built relationships. But being a kicker is not your typical captain.”
When the names were announced, Detmer felt a surge of emotion.
“I’ve been on championship teams and gotten accolades, but that meant the world to me hearing that,” he said. “I’m not the rah-rah type for speeches on game day. But the captains do talk. I do take a while to think about what I’m going to say because it is important.”
Toledo (6-4, 5-1) is bowl-eligible, but as a mid-major probably needs another victory to be considered for a bid.
Detmer has given some thought about getting a chance to kick in the NFL, but not this week. The Rockets play rival Bowling Green on Wednesday on ESPN2.
“That would be great to get that opportunity, but I’m focusing on the next few games,” he said. “ I’ve been asked about that a lot. You might hear me consistently say I’m just living the dream. We’v e got it good here. We must cherish the time we have on this team.”
Life can be difficult for placekickers in the MAC because, with few exceptions, most stadiums are open in at least one end zone and the wind can play tricks.
“The MAC is notorious for wind, but swirling wind,” Detmer said. “It could be blowing one way in one part of the stadium and another way in another part. But it’s part of the job. You show up and keep the same kicking technique. It’s very much like golf.”
Detmer is an education major with designs on teaching high-school social studies.
Would he like to return to Davidson?
“That would be great,” he said. “I’d look into coaching, too.”
Sent from my iPhone