Think about the June Jones offense, and images of countless downfield passes immediately come to mind. But when Jones took over as SMU’s head coach last January, he told anyone who would listen that while the quarterback and receivers usually get the headlines in his offense, an often-overlooked-but-vital part of his offensive system is the play of the running backs.

For the SMU running backs, last year was about learning more than anything else. The entire offense had to learn the new system, but the running backs’ role changed dramatically from seasons past. Running backs in Jones’ offense are extra receivers, and they absolutely must block, but they also get to run, and must be productive to give the offense the balanced needed to succeed.

Chris Butler had a career-high 95 last year against Tulsa (photo by Travis Johnston).

Chris Butler learned last year with his stablemates. He often played behind seniors DeMyron Martin and Andrew McKinney, but when he got his chance, a strong argument could be made that he was the team’s most effective runner. Despite limited playing time, he fell 16 yards short of McKinney’s team-leading rushing total – on, it should be pointed out, 13 fewer carries – and averaged a team-high 5.3 yards per carry, which is more than a yard better per carry than any other offensive player. He also nearly had his first career 100-yard rushing game when he picked up a season-high 95 against Tulsa.

When the season began, Jones preached the importance of blocking in the backfield, and chose to go with the bulkier Martin or McKinney in the backfield. But when the 5-10, 216-pound Butler entered the game, he showed a slashing ability and a burst of speed his larger teammates didn’t. He played in eight games, eventually taking a majority of the carries before getting shelved by a left knee injury.

“It was a slight tear of the medial collateral,” Butler said. “I hated being unable to play. But we were really just trying to learn everything last year. This year, we have a better idea of what the coaches want us to do. It’s not that complicated – we just have to focus on technique and execute better.”

With the graduation of Martin and McKinney, Butler – a junior from Brusly, La. – suddenly finds himself as the old man in a backfield that also includes sophomores-to-be B.J. Lee and Bryce Lunday, as well as true freshman Zach Line, who Butler said has considerable potential.

“Last year, it was all new to us,” Butler said. “Now it’s our turn to teach (Line).”

Butler said that having worked in the system for a year, he now sees a difference in running backs coach Wes Suan, who is able to be more specific in what he teaches his charges.

“Coach Suan is such a perfectionist,” Butler said. “Last year, he was teaching us the basics, but now he’s teaching us to be perfect in everything we do – running the ball, catching the ball, blocking. He can critique the little things, because when you get the little things down, it can mean so much.

“We’re working a lot of the same drills we did last year, but it’s so good for us to have a year in the offense. We’re not making a lot of the same mistakes we made at the beginning of last season.”

Butler knows the Mustangs will use several running backs, and that his roles will include special teams duty, including as a return specialist. But thanks to 13 pounds of muscle he has added since the start of the 2008 season, he said he thinks he is better-prepared to get through the rigors of the spring and summer, as he gets ready for his junior season.

“I’m 220 (pounds) now, and I feel stronger,” he said. “The knee doesn’t bother me at all, and (the extra weight) hasn’t affected my quickness at all. In the spring, a lot of what we do is mental, more than physical, but to be better in the fall, we have to keep our focus. If we can do that, we’ll be ready in August.”