Dymonte Thomas Defies Nickname With First Interception
By Will Burchfield
Twitter @Burchie_kid
ANN ARBOR (CBS DETROIT) - Entering Michigan's game against Illinois on Saturday, senior safety Dymonte Thomas had failed to record an interception in 40 career games. It wasn't for lack of opportunity.
"He had at least six picks last year he could've had," said cornerback Jourdan Lewis. "I was pretty sure he was going to capitalize this year but definitely last year he was dropping balls left and right."
Inevitably, that led to a nickname.
"We call him Pan Hands," said defensive end Taco Charlton, laughing.
And the heckling didn't end there.
"My teammates, every day, they always make fun of me: 'Dymonte you can't catch, you don't have hands,'" Thomas chuckled.
He put an end to that on Saturday.
In the second quarter of Michigan's 41-8 win, Thomas jumped a screen pass deep in Illinois territory and came down with his long-awaited interception. Suffice to say, he was thrilled.
And understandably relieved.
"The first thing that went through my mind is, 'It's about time,'" he said.
"You should have seen how happy he was," Lewis smiled.
Thomas' pick led to a Michigan field goal, staking the No. 3 Wolverines to a 31-0 nothing lead at halftime. The nation's top-ranked defense entered the intermission having held Illinois to a grand total of zero passing yards.
Thomas added a fourth down pass break-up in the third quarter and finished the afternoon with three tackles.
"Dymonte was outstanding," Jim Harbaugh said. "He read that screen as good as you can read it, leapt up and made a great interception."
His teammates, if a bit surprised, were undoubtedly impressed.
"It was one of the most athletic plays I've seen him make since I've been here," said the senior Charlton.
Lewis, who has five interceptions to his name over his Michigan career, has seen growth in Thomas this season.
"He's always had the athletic ability to go up and get it, I just think he was probably a little nervous. He's calming down a little bit so it's a good thing," Lewis said.
Pan Hands no more.
"He proved us wrong right there," Charlton said. "He showed us he does have some hands to work with."
