Tim Vizzi ended up being worth the wait for the Ventura College football team.

Playing in his first action of the season after suffering a preseason back injury, the Moopark High product earned SCFA Northern Division offensive player of the week honors by catching eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown at College of the Canyons.

"It's definitely something I've been waiting for," said Vizzi. "I didn't want to come back too early and mess things up. I've been waiting it out, riding it out."

On the week leading up to the Pirates' opener against Moorpark, Vizzi, a receiver who transferred to Ventura from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, awoke with a bulging disc.

While players like Renwick Scissom and Jordan Anderson stepped forward to give quarterback Antavius Sims some receiving options, Vizzi could only wait to heal.

"I just woke up one day and couldn't really move," said Vizzi. "It was definitely a mind battle, to be sitting out there knowing that you could be contributing. Patience is a virtue that you have to have in this game."

Vizzi arrived Saturday, when five of his receptions converted Ventura third downs. And Mooshagian expects even more this week.

"He'll be better this week because it takes you about two weeks to get yourself back in playing shape," said coach Steve Mooshagian.