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BOCA RATON – An emotional player by nature, cornerback Meiko Dotson is challenging himself to temper that emotion in order to play with greater consistency.
“I have a lot of emotion when I’m out there,” Dotson said. “They tell us, every day that [emotion] could turn into mistakes, just playing too emotional.”
Dotson made a couple of big major mistakes last week in FAU’s victory over Ball St., getting beat for a touchdown pass and missing a tackle that resulted in a long gain.
He admitted this week to getting overly amped when approaching an opposing ball carrier, losing focus and technique, and costing him tackles.
With sometimes starting corner Korel Smith missing last week’s game because of an undisclosed injury, Dotson received his most playing time as an Owl. Coach Lane Kiffin isn’t expecting Smith to be ready for this week’s 6 p.m. kickoff against Wagner, providing Dotson with the opportunity for a measure of redemption.
“With injuries back there, he needs to play better.” Kiffin said of Dotson. “He would be the first to tell you that.”
When healthy, Dotson proved he could complete at the FBS level. He played as a true freshman at Georgia Tech before transferring to Garden City Community College, and later FAU. Staying healthy has been Dotson’s biggest challenge.
Injuries sidelined Dotson after seven games of his high school senior. Dotson missed all of the 2018 season and was limited during 2019 spring practice after undergoing hip surgery.
“You can’t get into football shape until you play football.” Dotson’s said.
Dotson’s credited with five tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup thus far this season,
“Everything seemed fast early and now it has slowed down,” Dotson said of his return to the field.
Teammates are noticing Dotson’s improvement.
They’re also trying to help Dotson remain emotionally even.
“He gets down on himself a bit,” cornerback Chris Tooley said, “There is no room to dwell on things in the past. That is something I have tell him a lot.”
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