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Best Eagles quarterback? Well, there have been plenty.
Meanest linebacker? Whew, that’s a toughie.
Fastest tailback? No problem. It’s Eric Donoval.
“He’s the fastest we’ve had,” Terry said.
Faster than Jared Arn? Faster than Andrew Mocadlo?
“Yep,” Terry said.
OK, so Donoval is fast. The senior ran a 4.32-second time in the 40-yard dash this spring, which not only earned some oohs and aahs but got him out of sprinting again in preseason testing.
Donoval is out to prove he’s about more than speed this fall. After three seasons as a backup tailback and return specialist, Donoval spent the offseason working out and bulking up for his time as UW-L’s featured back.
Donoval, at 6-foot and 195 pounds, is as big and strong as he’s ever been. And it
didn’t cost him a step of that blazing speed.
“I felt like I owed it to the team to bust it and be where I need to be,” Donoval said. “In my opinion, I’m light years ahead of where I was last year. Weight-wise, speed-wise, strength-wise, I don’t even think it’s a comparison. So I’m really looking forward to taking the load this year and seeing what I can do with it.”
Terry is eager to turn Donoval loose now that the tailback’s repertoire includes more than just speed.
“We know he’s fast,” Terry said. “That’s a start. But when you add to that his ability to see things and cut and go tackle-to-tackle, that makes him a pretty exciting guy with the ball in his hands.”
“Speed only gets you so far,” Donoval said. “Speed kills in football, no doubt, but if I can’t break one tackle in the open field and use that speed, it’d be useless. I found that last year, I was getting ankle-tackled and getting dropped by one guy. This year, I don’t feel like that’s going to happen.”
Donoval backed up Dan Hall last season and averaged 5.8 yards per carry with three touchdowns. When Hall was injured in the season opener at Hardin-Simmons (Texas), Donoval stepped in and rushed for 115 yards in the Eagles’ 47-21 win.
During the offseason, Donoval set aside everything but school and football preparation. If his motivation started to wane, Donoval watched game film to get back on track. But that didn’t happen often.
“Last year was a little bittersweet; we had some good moments and we had some bad moments and it wasn’t where we wanted to be record-wise,” Donoval said. “From day one when the season ended, I was a lot more motivated. It inspired me to work out harder and put in the time that I needed to.”
Donoval put on about 15 pounds, dropped his 40 time and improved his bench press to 330 pounds and his squat to 450. He doesn’t even remember what he was lifting a year or two ago.
“The only thing I can think of is when we did the combine in the spring and we did maximum bench reps (225 pounds),” Donoval said. “I did 16 and I don’t think I could do much more than six last year.”
Donoval’s commitment to the offseason included taking a break from playing lead guitar for the rock band he and his friends formed in high school, Missing Tomorrow. Donoval and the band toured the Midwest extensively in the summer of 2007, but also kept him away from the weight room heading in to his junior year.
“I was playing shows and having fun last summer,” Donoval said. “We’ve been friends since sixth grade. Playing music with those guys, it’s definitely still alive in me, but priorities are priorities. Last summer, we toured around and there’s not a lot of time to work out and you don’t eat very well. It’s not like I didn’t do anything to get ready for football, but it’s two things you’ve got to balance.”
Donoval said his bandmates have been supportive of his focus on football. When the season is over, Donoval hopes to get back to playing again. He’ll certainly be the only lead guitar player anywhere who can run a 4.32-second 40-yard dash and bench press 330 pounds.
For now, Donoval is content with being at center stage of the Eagles’ offense.
“I came into the program wanting to prove myself, I wanted a challenge,” Donoval said. “It’s a ladder and you’ve got to work your way up, and it’s definitely worth it. Now, it’s my senior year and it’s my time to shine.”
He’s with the band
Donoval plays lead guitar for a Milwaukee-area rock band called Missing Tomorrow. For audio and video clips and more information about the band, which Donoval formed with his friends while growing up in Sheboygan, Wis., go to www.myspace.com/missingtomorrowrock
