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Miami’s Givens set for do-over

After injury wiped out last season, receiver hopes to step up this year for RedHawks.

Miami's Chris Givens (17) makes a catch against the defense of Boise States Kyle Wilson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 in Boise, Idaho.

AP Photo by Matt Cilley Miami's Chris Givens (17) makes a catch against the defense of Boise States Kyle Wilson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 in Boise, Idaho.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 12:56 PM Wednesday, August 11, 2010

OXFORD — Chris Givens is starting to wonder if the injury which stopped his junior season cold in its tracks might turn out to be not so bad after all.

The Miami University wide receiver was given a medical redshirt last year after hurting his shoulder in the second game at Boise State. Now his junior season is a do-over.

“It feels great to be back,” said Givens, who was Miami’s leading receiver in 2008 with 35 catches for 513 yards, and who scored eight touchdowns for a Miami squad that had only 23 offensive TDs. “Missing nine to 10 months of ball, sitting out and watching everybody else being able to play, was heartbreaking.

“But at the same time it was eye-opening,” he said. “While I was out I learned how to appreciate the game, to see how much it means to me, how much it’s done for me. And at the same time how blessed I am to have an extra year, and to be able to come back and participate.”

Givens had caught 11 passes for 98 yards through one game and part of another when he was sidelined.

“I tore the labrum in my left shoulder (the labrum is the cartilage around the shoulder joint),” Givens said. “I tore my whole labrum all the way around.”

That sounds bad, and it was, but Givens insists he is completely recovered. And there has been nothing to suggest otherwise through the first four days of practice. Givens has been playing with the first string all the way, and looking good.

“To be honest with you — I hope this doesn’t sound outrageous — I feel 110 percent,” Givens said.

“The doctors did a very good job on the shoulder, the trainers did a very good job to help my shoulder get better, the strength coach helped me get even stronger,” he said. “Those three right there contributed a lot to my health and helped me get back to 100 percent and accomplish even more.”

Givens said he is looking forward to playing with quarterback Zac Dysert. He was injured last year before Dysert erupted into one of the hottest freshmen in the Mid-American Conference.

“Zac’s a special guy,” Givens said. “You don’t find too many quarterbacks who are able to run and throw at the same time. I kinda missed that, I wasn’t able to be out there and play with him last year.

“But through the summer we worked together in 1-on-1s and 7-on-7s, team passing drills,” he said. “I’m excited to work with Zac. He’s the kind of guy who could potentially have a professional career out of his skills and I just want to be a person that’s able to contribute to the team with him.”

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