As the all-time wins leader in Oregon men’s basketball history, Johnathan Loyd caught his first career touchdown on the football field against Wyoming last Saturday. Emerald sports reporter Andrew Bantly caught up with Loyd after Monday’s practice and discussed his first touchdown reception at the collegiate level and his thoughts as he rolls along through the season.
What was going through your mind when you were lining up?
To be honest I wasn’t thinking about the ball at all. I really was just trying to line up right and do my job. If I was open it’s going to be on me fast. That’s all I really thought about.
It seemed that right when you turned your head the ball was on you, were you ready for that?
We practice all the time so I ran the play and he’s done it before like that. I was thinking and remembered that if this ball comes it’s going to be on me right away. When I caught the ball I didn’t even know if I was in the end zone or not, so I was going to turn up the field a little bit. Then I realized where I was.
You’re the all-time wins leader in men’s basketball and this is your first career touchdown, did you ever expect this kind of success when you first arrived as a freshman?
I definitely never thought I would be on the football field. I felt I could do it but I never thought I’d be on the football field and have success. I’m blessed to be in the position.
Did you ever consider before being a two-sport athlete?
Coming out of high school, if I didn’t get one of the schools I wanted for basketball I was going to play football and basketball, just because. But I ended up getting the school I wanted for basketball so I didn’t need to do the two-sport thing. But it’s always been in my mind that I could definitely do it.
How does basketball compare to your time on the football field? Is there anything you can take from the court to the field?
Definitely the physicality. You got to be in a different mindset for football. But it’s two different sports and I love them both. I just been playing basketball my whole life. I really enjoy both of them.
You’ve always been the passer setting up other players, now you’re on the receiving end. How does that feel?
It’s different. Not really controlling the rock like that is definitely different. But I’m under one of the best point guards in the country. He makes it easy on me.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3