A hurry to fix SMU's rushing game

[PK]

From the Dallas Morning News:

A hurry to fix SMU's rushing game

SMU puts rebuilding its ground attack at top of to-do list for 2005


10:23 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 27, 2005


By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News


Of the problems surrounding the SMU football program, fixing the running game is a top priority.

Last season, backup quarterback Jerad Romo led the team in rushing with 434 yards. It was the first time since 1994 that a quarterback had led the team in rushing.

Romo's yards were the fewest for a Mustangs leading rusher since Kevin Love gained 423 yards in 1989.

Coach Phil Bennett said if the spread offense is going to work in 2005, a strong running game is a must.

After spring practice, it appears the Mustangs have the needed depth at the position.

"I'd like to have a featured guy," Bennett said. "I don't want to depend on the quarterback run game like last year. When we get a good running game, it opens the lanes for our throwing game."

SMU finished 88th nationally in rushing at 125.18 yards a game. It was the fewest yards per game since 2000, when SMU averaged 115.8.

To fix that problem, Bennett has Cedrick Dorsey and Richuel Massey at the head of the depth chart at running back. Dorsey, who played with a bruised thigh last season, rushed 87 times for 431 yards and two touchdowns. Dorsey came into the spring in better shape. He went from his freshman playing weight of 206 pounds to 190. The weight loss has added speed and elusiveness to his game.

As a freshman, Massey played in 10 games, gaining 16 yards on 14 carries. In spring practice, Massey proved to the coaches, particularly running backs coach Clarence James, that he can play.

"He finally is seeing the light," James said. "He's gaining confidence. The biggest thing is awareness, knowing what to do. It wasn't natural for him. He was concerned about his assignments, instead of letting the flow of the game come."

Foy Munlin, a transfer from Texas Tech, was the projected starter last season. But Munlin broke his hand days before the start of the regular season and never recovered. He rushed 95 times for 335 yards and two touchdowns. His best game was in early September when he rushed for 114 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown in a win over San Jose State.

After that, Munlin never found a rhythm, and the Mustangs relied on Romo's quarterback draws, keeps and scrambles for yards. The Mustangs' longest run of the season was a 59-yard scamper by Romo. Dorsey wasn't ready to become the lead back, and the other players hadn't developed enough to gain the coaches' trust and get much playing time.

"Foy being injured before the start of the season was a factor," Bennett said. "For the first time, since I've been here, we have depth at our first- and second-teamers."

Fred Turner (Arlington Lamar), DeMyron Martin (Allen) and Jessie Henderson performed well in spring practice to add to the depth chart.

"It's a healthy competition," Dorsey said. "Everybody is doing good, but it's hard to say who will start. It's a coaches' decision."

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SMU RUNNING BACKS
Here's a look at the top five running backs on the depth chart after spring practice:

Player Ht. Wt. Cl. Comment

Cedrick Dorsey 5-11 190 Soph. Had winning TD against Tulsa last season

Jessie Henderson 5-8 170 RS Fr. Off-season knee surgery, ran well in spring

DeMyron Martin 6-2 200 RS Fr. High expectations for highly recruited back

Richuel Massey 5-11 210 Soph. Must play consistently to remain on field

Fred Turner 5-10 170 Soph. Very talented but must show it in games

*RS Fr.–Redshirt freshman

[PonyExpress]

Five running backs, and the OLDEST are sophomores. That's very encouraging.

[Cheesesteak]

Maybe one of the sophomores will become a star this season and we'll be able to quote Keith Jackson..."a sophomore and a good one".

[PonySnob]

It appears that Bennett has not done a real good job of spacing out his RB's and there are not going to be enough carries to have a "dominant" RB. Hopefully one or two of them will step it up in August and take the starting job and #2 RB spot. The same can be said about the QB position with regards to somebody stepping up and taking the starting position.

[Original Frank]

Thanks for that insightful perspective, Pony Snob!

[The Q]

It appears that Bennett has not done a real good job of spacing out his RB's and there are not going to be enough carries to have a "dominant" RB. Hopefully one or two of them will step it up in August and take the starting job and #2 RB spot. The same can be said about the QB position with regards to somebody stepping up and taking the starting position.

So in an effort to "space out" his RBs, should he have not recruited talented players like Martin and Henderson?
Brilliant.
He's building depth across the board. There's no way to generate maturity and depth other than patience. In the meantime, if you have a chance to recruit a player you think will help, you take him.

[The PonyGrad]

PS you contradict yourself. Bennett has spread out his QBs but getting the JC QBs. There are now seniors and an RS soph and two nice incoming freshmen to be redshirted. Please try to get your complaints straight.

[Sewanee Stang]

Perhaps Ron Meyer should have done a better of job spacing out his running back recruits as well. We might have had more success back then.