USFL’s Derrick Dillon reflects on ‘exciting’ historic weekend: ‘I just spoke it into existence’

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A USFL player entered the historical past books for the second straight week.

On Saturday, Memphis Showboats broad receiver and kick returner Derrick Dillon accomplished a uncommon feat towards the Pittsburgh Maulers. He returned a missed subject aim kick 109 yards for a landing and helped the Showboats to their third straight victory, 22-0.

Dillon informed Fox Information Digital in an interview Monday he was nonetheless in “disbelief” over the play.

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Derrick Dillon vs the Breakers

Derrick Dillon, #4 of Memphis Showboats, runs the ball towards Adonis Alexander, #3 of the New Orleans Breakers, throughout the first quarter at Protecting Stadium on Might 14, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Jaden Powell/USFL/Getty Photos for USFL)

“I used to be watching the replay for the final couple of days simply making an attempt to course of all of it as a result of I caught the ball, I look down to ensure I didn’t step out and all the things after which seeing individuals working at me all kind of the way … Yeah, I analyzed the video a few occasions,” he mentioned.

Dillon in some way made the catch off the kick, which was broad to Maulers kicker Chris Blewitt’s proper, and stayed in bounds within the course of. He then ran all the best way to the opposite finish zone for the important thing landing proper earlier than halftime, setting an all-time document all through skilled soccer.

He was named the USFL’s Particular Groups Participant of the Week. Final week, Philadelphia Stars kicker Luis Aguilar tied a document for many field-goal makes in a single recreation with eight.

“It’s thrilling as a result of I didn’t get an opportunity to win it final 12 months,” Dillon informed Fox Information Digital. “And the loopy half about it, I used to be occupied with it earlier that week. Like, man, as quickly as I get an opportunity I wanna win Participant of the Week. So, now that it occurred, I simply spoke it into existence. It’s actually thrilling.”

USFL KICKER LUIS AGUILAR TIES PRO FOOTBALL RECORD WITH 8 MAKES, INCLUDING GAME-WINNER: ‘IT HASN’T HIT ME YET’

Derrick Dillon hugs Todd Haley

Memphis Showboats head coach Todd Haley congratulates Derrick Dillon, #4, after Dillion returned a missed subject aim for a landing throughout the 1st half of the sport towards the Pittsburgh Maulers at Simmons Financial institution Liberty Stadium on Might 20, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Joe Murphy/USFL/Getty Photos for USFL)

Dillon was a standout broad receiver at LSU taking part in with Joe Burrow earlier than he turned professional. Within the Tigers’ championship season in 2019, he had 15 catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He performed within the crew’s Fiesta Bowl win within the 2018 season, recording two catches for 86 yards and a landing.

He went undrafted in 2020 and signed earlier than the beginning of the season with the New York Giants, however he by no means appeared in a recreation.

Derrick Dillon at LSU

Derrick Dillon, #19 of the LSU Tigers, runs with the ball within the second half towards the Georgia Bulldogs throughout the SEC Championship recreation at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 7, 2019 in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Photos)

Derrick Dillon with the Giants

Derrick Dillon, #6 of the New York Giants, misses a go throughout the Blue and White scrimmage at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Mike Stobe/Getty Photos)

The Tampa Bay Bandits chosen him within the first-ever USFL participant draft in 2022. After the season, he tried to latch onto the Cleveland Browns’ 53-man roster however was waived earlier than the beginning of the season.

Dillon got here again to the crew as they moved to Memphis to turn out to be the Showboats. Dillon mentioned he’s lucky the USFL gave him a possibility to additional his taking part in profession.

“It offers individuals like me the chance to indicate what we will do on the sector and hopefully get an opportunity on the subsequent stage,” he mentioned. “I actually find it irresistible. They’re giving guys one other alternative to play skilled soccer and one other alternative to try to make it again to the NFL or to the NFL for the primary time.”

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Memphis is in final place within the South Division with a 3-3 document. The crew has a key divisional matchup towards the Houston Gamblers on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. There are 4 video games remaining within the common season.

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