Tight Tailback Race
August 27, 2004 03:55 PM | General
August 28, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez isn’t sure who his starting tailback for East Carolina will be next Saturday, but he says it won’t matter much anyway because both of them are going to play a lot. In fact, senior Kay-Jay Harris and sophomore Jason Colson are going to play a lot together.
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| Jason Colson ran 28 times for 104 yards in the Temple win
(All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
Harris is the team’s top returning rusher, gaining 524 yards and scoring four touchdowns on just 98 carries in 2004. His 5.8-yards-per-carry average was the best on the team. Colson also shined last year as a redshirt freshman, carrying 56 times for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Colson ran for more than 100 yards against Temple and did a good job at Syracuse filling in for an injured Quincy Wilson.
Yet, Rodriguez spent a good portion of fall camp barking in his top two tailback’s ears, imploring them to hit the holes harder and get positive yardage instead of simply hunting for long touchdown runs. The coach has also been on them about becoming tougher and more dependable, playing through minor bumps and bruises. He said Thursday evening that both of them are starting to come around.
“They’ve had better practices the last two days and they’re getting a little healthier,” he said.
Behind them, however, is a different story. Third-team tailback Bryan Wright has been in and out of practice with various ailments: the latest being a sprained ankle. Wright’s injury status has moved true freshman Pernell Williams closer to the top of the depth chart with sophomore Erick Phillips still recovering from off-season knee surgery.
“We’re still concerned about who the third guy is going to be,” said the coach. “Pernell Williams has a chance but he’s a little banged up.”
The coach hinted that Colson may have the slight edge over Harris because he has made fewer mental mistakes.
“We’re going to play two anyway and they’re pretty close,” he said.
Rodriguez has been pleased with the progress made by Williams, a 2003 first-team all-Ohio tailback from Jefferson High School near Dayton. Williams ran for nearly 1,800 yards and scored 23 touchdowns during his senior season.
“He’s a pretty quick learner and he’s obviously got ability or we wouldn’t have signed him,” Rodriguez said. “He’s learning faster than maybe a typical true freshman would so he’s got a chance. If he’s going to be in the mix we’re not going to redshirt him.”
The wildcard in the backfield is Phillips, a powerfully built 5-foot-9, 220-pounder from Hilliard, Ohio near Columbus. Phillips had knee surgery last December and is still a few weeks away from being cleared for full contact. He must also get himself back into playing shape.
“It will probably three more weeks,” said Rodriguez. “They were doing a test (Thursday) on his knee and I haven’t received that report yet.”
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| Kay-Jay Harris averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year as a junior.
(All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
Random Notes:
The coach also hinted that he may move senior tackle Tim Brown to center if Jeremy Hines hasn’t completely gotten himself into playing shape.
“Right now that’s still up in the air,” he said.
“The scary part is you don’t have any preseason games to work out the kinks. You always worry about your opener hoping your guys will go out there and execute and do what they’re supposed to do,” he said.
“There is no limit on them. I like taking all of the quarterbacks,” he said. “There will be some games we even take (true freshman) Pat White even though he’s going to be redshirted simply so he can experience what the game type of speed is like.”
The coach would like to have an opportunity to get Bednarik and Thompson some time under center but he won’t go searching for it.
“I just hope it’s not because of necessity,” Rodriguez said. “Adam has progressed to the point where we feel comfortable with him playing some snaps at quarterback. They still don’t have the experience that both Charles and Rasheed have, but they have a lot of football left. I’ve been in a situation before when the starting quarterback didn’t play a snap. If they’re ready, they’re ready.”
