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Sports TwitterFlyers' Millio has made the most of his speed
From scout team back to this year's top receiver, he has been a hard catch for many.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
DAYTON — Being a scout-team tailback is sort of like working as a rodeo clown: You expect some snorting behemoths to rumble in your direction, but the trick is to never get caught.
Justin Millio mastered that art as a true freshman at the University of Dayton last year, flashing his speed and acceleration often enough to earn the Flyers' scout team player of the year award.
"He drove our defense nuts because he could hit the hole so fast and get upfield," first-year UD coach Rick Chamberlin said.
Millio remembers one practice where he ripped off three straight TD runs, prompting then-coach Mike Kelly to blow his whistle and order the defense to run a series of "beasts," which are four consecutive sprints across the length of the field.
Millio didn't make many friends that day.
"The defense was looking to pound me ... and everybody on offense was like, 'Thanks, Justin, they're going to kill us now,' " he said.
The redshirt freshman was converted into a receiver in the offseason, and he's leaving opponents frustrated now.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Millio had a team-high six catches for 57 yards in a 41-22 win over Davidson (N.C.) last week, and he leads the Flyers with 36 receptions for 282 yards and two touchdowns.
He's also added a rushing TD.
"He can run," QB Rob Florian said. "We like to get him the ball quick and let him do his thing."
Millio starred at Wellington High School near Boca Rotan, Fla., and drew interest from UD after sending the school a highlight video. On his recruiting visit, though, the area was hit with a snowstorm, which didn't do much to sway him.
"Ooh," he said of his first impression. "No palm trees — not even leaves on the trees. They were all bare. It was a big difference.
"But I fell in love with the school, the coaches and the players, and the atmosphere was amazing. The campus is a very homey campus. In the student neighborhood, it seemed like everyone was inviting you in and having a good time. It felt like I was at home being so far away."
He's certainly found a home in the Flyer offense.
"He has given us a threat with his speed on bubble passes," Chamberlin said. "Jack O'Dell did a great job of that (last year). He wasn't the fastest guy or the shiftiest, but he could catch it and get it upfield 5 to 7 yards.
"Justin can break a big one ... He can take a 5- or 6-yard pass and turn it into a 20-yard gain."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Next game
Who: Valparaiso (2-4, 1-2 PFL) at Dayton (6-1, 3-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Welcome Stadium
Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)
