Eagles Travel Fast with Carter on the Field
September 29, 2003

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

For the past few years, Interstate 71 has been a haven for construction workers working diligently to increase the number of road lanes, which would make for a quicker and less congested ride for all travelers.

While the process hasn’t always been easy with constant delays and one-lane roads, the end result has allowed travelers to get to their destination in a quicker amount of time. What was once a two-lane road has rapidly been transformed to three and, in some places, four lanes for motorists to speed down.

Senior defensive back Toure Carter (Cleveland, OH/Rhoades) can easily relate to the adventures of the I-71 project. Just like the highway expansion, he has seen his role on the Ashland University football team expand from offense to defense and has been a witness to the delays and frustrations that have come in the progress.

Carter originally came to Ashland as a running back and looked forward to success in the AU backfield. He rushed for 97 yards in his first season, which ranked him third on the team, but coaches decided that his athleticism would be best suited on the defensive side of the ball.

“It took some convincing,” secondary coach Steve Clinkscale said. “I told him that he was a good running back, but he could be a great defensive back. He’s got great athletic ability along with speed, agility and strength so it was the right move to make to keep him on the field.”

“Initially, it (the switch) hurt me a bit,” said Carter. “It made me think that I wasn’t a good athlete or I wasn’t good enough to play at that position. Coach Clinkscale really opened my eyes and he basically told me that I was an athlete and that there wasn’t anybody on the team who could do the things that I could do.”

Carter once envisioned himself streaking down the sidelines with defenders chasing him as he reached the end zone, but once the move came, he realized that a new spotlight was being thrown on him. This time it would be his job to prevent touchdowns rather than scoring them.

“That was the one thing that Coach Clinksclare really taught me about the cornerback position. It’s one of the hardest positions on the field because when the ball is in the air, all eyes are on you and you’re either going to make the play or you’re not. I like that type of pressure on me,” added Carter.

The switch didn’t always come up smelling like roses for Carter. He took his lumps in his first season as a cornerback, but with every passing game, he continued to improve and learn more about the position until he became one of the Eagles’ most reliable secondary players.

“I quickly learned as a defensive back that you have to have thick skin and a short memory. When I’m on the field, I try to stay relaxed and focused on what I need to do and perform to the best of my abilities,” Carter said.

Carter’s role didn’t just stop at the secondary as the coaches believed that his speed would be an asset on special teams and he soon became one of the conference’s most explosive return men. He averaged 19.3 yards per return as a junior and this season has upped his return average to 21.3 yards. His athletic ability has made it hard for coaches to take him off the field.

“I never want to leave the field. I want to do whatever it takes for this team to be successful and if I can contribute on the offensive side then I’d love to get the chance to play receiver. Right now, my mindset is playing my best on defense and special teams,” said Carter.

While Carter has seen his role expanded on the field, he has also witnessed his off-the-field role widened. He was named a team captain for the 2003 season, and he thrives on the responsibility that comes along with the title. During the offseason, Carter remained in Ashland and dedicated himself in the weight room and put himself through brutal individual workouts.

“I made the choice this summer to stay here and train. Everyday I worked out, ran, watched files and really dedicated myself to this team. I wanted to be a captain that my teammates could look at with confidence,” Carter said.

“Our biggest thing this season is turnaround. We believed that the turnaround of this program began with the leaders and the way they approached and prepared for the season. Toure spent everyday in the weight room and worked hard on his technique,” Clinkscale added.

His hard work and dedication to the Eagles has paid off personally for Carter as his three interceptions are not only a team high, but also surpassed his career total. He had one of his best all-around games against Hillsdale when he recorded six tackles (four solo), two interceptions and two pass deflections in an Eagles’ loss. On the season, Carter has 23 tackles (14 solo), three interceptions, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal attempt.

Even with a defense that is ranked third in the conference, the Eagles have struggled with a 1-4 record in their first five games. While AU has traveled on some bumpy roads, Carter remains positive in his outlook for the remainder of the season.

“As a leader, it’s my job to keep my teammates’ morale up. When I’m out on the field, I lead by example and I want my teammates to see that if you work hard on the field and stay focused then good things are going to happen. We’ve hit a little bit of a slump here, but this is the time when we need to come together the most. If we stay together, we can turn this season around,” Carter concluded.

Similar to the I-71 project, AU will be looking for the quickest way to the win column and it doesn’t matter whether its’ offense, defense or special teams, the Eagles have been traveling at a faster pace with Carter on the field.