UD football duo finds success by ad-libbing

QB Valentino and WR Watkins sometimes make it up as they go along.

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 11:01 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

DAYTON — Sure-handed receiver Justin Watkins and elusive quarterback Steve Valentino are housemates on Irving Avenue, and the plays they create together on the field sometimes look like they were drawn up during games of backyard football.

The fourth-year juniors at the University of Dayton have become one of the more lethal aerial combinations in the Pioneer Football League, and much of what they do is improvised.

“There’s times when I don’t know what I’m doing because I have no idea what Steve is doing,” said Watkins, a Northmont High School product who leads the Flyers with 32 catches and 569 receiving yards. “What he’s doing is unorthodox, but I tell you what, it’s working.”

Valentino has won back-to-back league offensive player of the week awards, and the Flyers (7-1, 5-0 PFL) likely will need him at his best again when they play host to unbeaten Butler (8-0, 5-0) on Saturday.

The winner will retain at least a share of first place in the conference. Drake (7-1, 5-0) also is tied for first, and the title will be decided on the field. UD visits Drake next week, and Drake and Butler meet in the regular-season finale.

“Butler is going to be a tough test for us,” UD coach Rick Chamberlin said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence. It’s not the same old Butler team as in years past. They’re executing and playing hard on defense.

“They’re going to come in here and try to make a name for themselves in the PFL. I’m sure they’re thinking, ‘No one can really respect us until we beat the Dayton Flyers.’ ”

After earning All-PFL honors as a receiver last season, Valentino was moved to QB after a season-opening loss to Urbana and ranks third in the league in rushing (587 yards) and fourth in passing (1,465 yards). He’s 7-0 as a starter and has become a front-runner for the PFL offensive player of the year award.

But while Chamberlin and his staff could take some bows for several savvy moves this year, they can’t take credit for the Valentino discovery. The Solon native wasn’t switched until the Flyers lost their first three QBs to injuries.

“It’s strange how athletics go,” Chamberlin said. “It’s one of those things where you can do all the planning you want, and one little turn changes everything — sometimes for the worse or the better. Fortunately for us, Valentino has stepped up and really taken charge for us at quarterback.

“He’s far exceeded my expectations. We were hoping he’d just carry us through until guys were healthy enough.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.