By Jim Fenton

The Enterprise

September 10, 2015

The four-time All-America hurdler returned a kickoff for a touchdown and added two long pass receptions for scores in his first game since playing for Rockland High School in 2009 last Saturday against Salve Regina.

Terrence Gibson set a modest goal for his first-ever college football game last Saturday afternoon.

The Worcester State University fifth-year senior had not played the sport since his junior year at Rockland High School in 2009 and was eager just to get back on the field again.

“I would have honestly been happy if I had just one catch in the game just to say I played college football,’’ said Gibson, a four-time Division 3 All-America hurdler at Worcester State who turned to football after finishing his track & field eligibility.

Gibson did a lot more than catch one pass in his return to football against Salve Regina University.

The former Enterprise All-Scholastic in football and track & field had a debut game to remember in the Lancers’ 41-28 loss to the Seahawks in Rhode Island.

Gibson returned the game’s opening kickoff – the first time he touched the ball in nearly six years – 97 yards for a touchdown for a stunning start.

Then, in the span of 4:37 during the second quarter, Gibson recorded touchdown receptions of 78 and 84 yards from quarterback Trevor Vasey.

“Very impressive, to say the least,’’ said Worcester State coach Brien Cullen. “We were really excited when Terrence decided to come out in his last year here.

“Obviously, we knew of his great speed and athleticism and were kind of curious to see how it came into the football end of it because he wasn’t able to do spring ball because he was running track.’’

Gibson had little trouble getting back in the football groove after not playing since suffering a torn knee ligament during a scrimmage against Cardinal Spellman prior to the 2010 Rockland High season.

The speed that made Gibson a national champion in the 60-meter hurdles in 2013 and earned him All-America honors three other times translated to the football field with little trouble.

Gibson caught three passes for 173 yards and returned three kickoffs for 187 yards.

“I’m not going to lie,’’ said Gibson. “The first play of the game, I was a little bit nervous. But once I had the ball in my hands, it brought back old memories. It just felt natural just to get out there and run, try to avoid tackles, getting back to football.

“I couldn’t imagine a better scenario on my first ever collegiate play than running back the opening kickoff. It’s funny because my first ever high school varsity play, I took an 81-yard pass for a touchdown against Abington.’’

Gibson made a name for himself as a hurdler at Worcester State, placing fourth (2013) and second (2015) at NCAA outdoor meet and first (2013) and second (2014) at the indoor meet.

The New England track athlete of the year in 2015 always had in the back of his mind that he would play football once he did the four years of being a hurdler.

“For the past couple of years, one of my good buddies on the team, Kemani Jones, was always trying to get me to play football,’’ said Gibson, a 2011 Rockland High graduate. “I told him once I finished with track & field that I would go out.

“I think what really made me play was my father (Tim Gibson) was actually like, ‘I think it’d be really cool if you went out and played football one last time and gave it a go.’ That sealed the deal right there. I’m playing.’’

The Lancers now have a new weapon with the speed that Gibson possesses, making him dangerous as a wideout and a returner.

“We haven’t had anyone with his kind of speed since I’ve been here,’’ said Cullen. “It obviously puts a lot of pressure on a defense now.

“I told Terrence that every day he keeps getting better. He hasn’t played since high school, so it’s been a while and he’s getting back into the rhythm of it.’’

The knee injury in 2010 cost Gibson his final season at Rockland High, but now he’s getting a chance to finish off his days as a college athlete with one more football season.

“I’m having a blast right now,’’ said Gibson. “I didn’t have a senior year in high school because I tore my MCL in a scrimmage. I always said if I were to play in college I wanted to get my senior year back so hopefully that’s what I’m doing right now.

“I think the sky’s the limit. Right now, teams are going to think I’m a one-trick pony and just go deep. If I just fix up my footwork and route running, I think I can be a lot more dangerous and get us some more wins.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.

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