Weaver Making Noise On, Off Field
October 3, 2006
WEATHERFORD -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University is getting a big lift on the football field from one of its smallest uniformed players.
Sophomore sensation Patrick Weaver, who is generously listed at 5-7, 175 pounds, has put together a lengthy list of highlight plays for the Bulldogs through the first five games this season. Last week Weaver nearly upended Tarleton State himself accounting for 177 yards of total offense, including a 79-yard punt return for the game’s opening score.
He came oh-so-close of taking another return for a touchdown before running out of gas and then being bounced out of bounds after a 56-yard, fourth-quarter jaunt.
Weaver, who has returned punts throughout his career even as a prep star at Oklahoma City’s Bishop McGuinness High School, has demonstrated the necessary fearlessness and ultra-quick thinking that is required of all special team’s players. While many consider returning punts akin to driving the wrong way on a five-lane interstate, Weaver takes pleasure in it.
”You know they’re coming at you full speed and they can’t stop,” Weaver said. “I might give them a shake, a wiggle and that’s all I need. A lot of the plays might be designed to go left or right. Usually, that goes out the window. I just follow my blockers and run to the open space.”
Weaver has gotten free often enough to lead the Lone Star Conference in returns this season. He ranks fifth in the NCAA Division II and is brought back 12 punts for 216 yards, an average of 18.0 yards a return. He had 177 all-purpose yards against Tarleton State and was named the LSC North Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
“Patrick can really change the complexion of a game in an instant,” coach Ryan Held said. “He just needs a little break and he’s gone. Not many people are going to catch him from behind”
Weaver said that while the title of the team’s fastest player may be in dispute, he considers himself as No. 1 and teammate and defensive back Johnathan Thomas No. 1A. Both have been clocked at 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters.
“I don’t know which of us is the fastest, but in football pads I have the edge,” Weaver smiled.
Weaver is in his second year at SWOSU. Currently, he is taking a course load in pre-engineering which he hopes will lead to a career in installation and development of the latest audio and video equipment primarily for home and recreational use.
He counts his favorite television show as the Speed Channel’s “Unique Whips” where customizer Will Castro outfits celebrities and sports stars with one-of-a-kind stereo systems from his shop in Long Island, New York.
Although Weaver said the audio system in his vehicle is much more conservative than what is seen on the show it doesn’t stop him from dreaming big.
“It’s a lot of fun to see some of the stuff they do and wonder how I can make that work for me,” Weaver said. “There is so much that goes into it like getting the right connections and making sure the circuits can handle the output. Hopefully, I’ll be in a job that will allow me to create and use my imagination for the next generation of systems.
As it is now, Weaver can be seen motoring around campus in his not-so-tricked-up sedan that’s on loan from his parents. His best moves typically come Saturday on the football field where he often is seen motoring past would-be pursuers.