Catching greatness: Dorian Anderson's stellar start to his senior season

Senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson continued his impressive start this season against Southern Illinois University (SIU), recording eight receptions, 111 yards through the air and two touchdowns.

After four games, Anderson has tallied 27 receptions, 424 yards through the air (106 avg/g), 15.7 yards per catch, and five touchdowns. He is ranked first on the team and has already surpassed his stats from last season.

Anderson credits his early success to the long hours spent working on his game to improve as a wide receiver throughout the year.

“The work that I put in during the summer and also in the spring is what led up to this, I worked day in and day out, [and] all that hard work is paying off,” Anderson said.

Anderson also acknowledged the influence of last year’s seniors, including Damoriea Vick, Dalyn McDonald and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy. He said they set an example for him to follow this season.

“Seeing them work, day in and day out, and seeing their leadership and their drive and their competitiveness. Watching those guys and seeing where they went, and seeing how they did, I was like, I gotta do what they did. I looked up to those guys a lot, and I'm very proud to be that guy for this team,” Anderson said.

Wide receivers coach Desmond Noird praised Anderson’s development, noting how much he has grown as a player in a short amount of time.

“He has had a lot of growth. And you know, I don't know what happened, but he changed over time, and I don't know, just really proud of what he's doing right now, he's putting in work, and he's a great leader out here,” Noird said.

Anderson’s growth has also extended to his personal life as well, as Noird highlighted that Anderson leads the team on the field and in the locker room as well.

“He might not be the most talkative guy, but he does lead by example, he comes out, he plays hard, you know he blocks hard, he does everything the right way. He sets the standard, and the guys follow him,” Noird said.

Anderson has emerged as senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent’s favorite target and red zone threat, leading the team in both categories. DeLaurent says that the two built a connection by living in the same building and getting countless reps during practice together.

“He lived just a couple doors down from me in (the) K building. So we kind of started to bond as just human beings then. Last year, we had a lot of guys. He was a little bit lower on the depth chart, so we didn't really get to have a lot of reps together, and starting in the spring, and then the summer, we got so many reps. So we just continue to know where each other going to be at and just trust each other. So it's, it's great, and it helps that he's six, seven and has phenomenal hands,” DeLaurent said.

Anderson echoed DeLaurent’s statement, saying that prioritizing their relationship both on and off the field has been key to building their chemistry.

“Anywhere you go that main receiver has to be, like, best friends with the quarterback, especially if he wants the ball, And they're building that trust each and every day. It's just something you have to have. Paxton is a great guy. He's a great leader. So just being around him every single day is pretty cool,” Anderson said.

In what could be his last season at SEMO, Anderson wants to make this season count, and leave a legacy marked by both personal and individual success.

“I do want to be the best receiver in the nation, at FCS level or even at the FBS level, but it comes with team wins, and us making it pretty far into the playoffs. So that's really where I want us to be in the playoffs. I want to make it to the playoffs at the collegiate level,” Anderson said.

The Redhawks' next game is against Northwestern State on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. at Houck Stadium for Family Weekend.