The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Conliffe is TD machine for Ohio Dominican
A 6-foot-2, 230-pound receiver with 4.55-second speed at college football’s highest level — FBS — would be a matchup nightmare for most cornerbacks.
Take those talents to the Division II level, and it shouldn’t be a surprise what’s unfolding at Ohio Dominican.
South graduate Devanaire Conliffe is using his huge frame and blazing speed to become a touchdown machine at Ohio Dominican.
The sophomore has played in just nine college games — eight last season as a freshman and one this season — and is hauling in TDs at a staggering rate.
As a freshman, Conliffe made an impression early on with two TD receptions against Lake Erie (a 51-0 victory) in the team’s fourth game, but the biggest moment was two weeks later against Hillsdale in a much more competitive 41-27 win.
In that Hillsdale game, the Panthers faced an important fourth-and-5 play; Coach Kelly Cummings called Conliffe’s number, and he delivered. It didn’t result in a TD, but it was an impactful play for Conliffe’s psyche.
“Knowing the coaches had trust in me was really huge,” said Conliffe. “I had to work hard to earn reps as a freshman, and I had to keep going hard in practice.”
A knack for big plays is nothing new for Conliffe, who as a senior for the Rebels had more than 1,000 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. He was also the MVP of the 2017 News-Herald Senior Bowl with a highlightreel 82-yard TD run. There was also another 87-yard for a TD, but that was called back because of a penalty.
That potential and athletic ability — he was fourth in the shot put at the Division I state track and field meet — had to have the ODU coaches salivating, and Conliffe came through in the second half of his freshman season. In eight games played, he had seven TDs. Then in his first game this season against California, Pa., a Division II playoff team in 2017, the receiver gave a glimpse of what to expect in 2018.
Conliffe was a huge part of ODU’s rally in its seasonopening 28-23 win against California on Aug. 30. Trailing, 17-7, in the second quarter, Conliffe started the comeback with a 59-yard TD catch and run. Then with 11 minutes left in the game, he hauled in a 50-yard TD to make it 28-17 in favor of the home team. Conliffe finished the game with three catches, 116 yards (a whopping 38.7yard average) and two TDs.
“Both were just deep balls,” said Conliffe on his two long TDs. “The line blocked great, and our QB put the ball on the money. I beat my guy pretty good. Both were pretty easy TDs.”
The opener marked the fourth straight game, dating to last season, Conliffe caught a TD. He’s averaged 95.7 yards during that streak. On his 24 career college catches, he now has nine TDs.
That pace might be difficult to maintain, but there’s no question Conliffe will continue to be a game-plan nightmare for opposing defenses and coaches. He can use his size to snare passes in crowded spots, but also has the speed to run away from cornerbacks on go-routes.
“I think some people underestimate my speed,” he said. “But I definitely have it. I’ve been blessed with speed.”
More bad news for the opposition: Conliffe, who’s 19, said he might not be done growing. He’s been told he could reach 6-foot-4, but that doesn’t mean Conliffe
is content.
He was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017 after hauling in 21 passes for 314 yards and seven TDs. After one game in 2018, he’s almost halfway to his 2017 yardage total, but Conliffe wants more.
“There’s a lot more I need to work on,” said Conliffe. “I need to work on my route running and footwork. I never want to stop.”
Conliffe and Ohio Dominican face another tough test Sept. 8 when they welcome Ashland, a playoff team in 2017, for a 7 p.m. kickoff.