Tyron Laughinghouse proved he can play with the big boys on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013.
The All-American from Saint Augustine's University helped the Stripes team beat the Stars in the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic. He caught a nice 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of a 31-3 Stripes' victory at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
The Raycom Classic featured the top players from Division I, II and NAIA. Laughinghouse was a teammate of five players from FCS national champion Alabama and two players from NCAA Division II national champion Valdosta State. CBS College Sports Network televised the game though viewers had to subscribe to Time Warner Cable Sports Pass to receive the channel.
Laughinghouse was thrilled to catch a touchdown pass and play on television against Division I players. The contest was a memorable experience for him.
“I was happy to be on TV and score a touchdown,” said Laughinghouse, a wide receiver and return specialist from Greenville, N.C. “Me being from a D-II school, I was happy to play with and against D-I players.”
His touchdown pass came on a comeback route from Robert Marve of Purdue. It gave the Stripes a commanding 24-3 lead late in third quarter. The scoring pass was the only one for the Stripes.
The touchdown grab was the second catch of the game for Laughinghouse, who earlier caught a 14-yard pass. He finished with two receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown.
“Both of my catches were on comeback routes,” said Laughinghouse, whose mom, dad and aunt were in attendance. “The first catch I believe was on a Clemson DB and the touchdown catch on a Lane DB.”
Laughinghouse entered the game on the second series, and rotated with four other receivers throughout the contest. He was targeted for passes three times.
His biggest highlight other than the touchdown was on special teams where he made a tackle on the kickoff coverage unit. Laughinghouse never played on the kickoff unit at St. Aug during his four-year career. He made a name for himself as a kick returner, leading the nation in Division II in kick return yards per game (40.1) and touchdowns (3) in 2012.
“I was third on the depth chart and didn't get the chance to return a kick,” Laughinghouse said.
Laughinghouse was able to make an impression as a wide receiver, though. Former NFL Pro Bowl player Keenan McCardell, the Stripes' wide receivers coach, praised the St. Aug star, who set school career marks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
“Coach McCardell told me that I did well,” Laughinghouse said. “He told me to come out of my breaks faster and pump my arms but everything else was good.”
Running back Michael Hill from Division II Missouri Western was the story at the Classic, winning offensive MVP honors, but Laughinghouse caught the attention of scouts and fans as well. Their performances showed that Division II players are good like their Division I counterparts, according to Laughinghouse.
“There's not much difference between Division II and Division I players,” Laughinghouse said. “After playing this game, I still feel like [St. Aug] receiving corps was one of the best in the nation.”
Overall, Laughinghouse enjoyed the entire week in Montgomery, Ala. He has a football autographed by the players as a memento from the game.
“The experience was great,” said Laughinghouse, who talked to a Kansas City Chiefs scout during practice week. “Everything was well organized. They flew everyone in. We didn't have to pay for anything. I was cool with the whole wide receiver crew. I got to talk to wide receivers from LSU and Clemson.
“I felt like I played well. I caught passes and blocked well. I felt like I had a pretty good game overall.”
Laughinghouse flew back to Chicago to continue training. A sport management major, Laughinghouse has finished his requirements for a university degree and is scheduled to graduate in May 2013.
