Making His Mark
November 05, 2008 10:57 AM | General
November 5, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia may be getting close to having another big playmaker to add to its offensive arsenal with the continued development of freshman Mark Rodgers.
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| West Virginia's Mark Rodgers has rushed for 69 yards and returned 13 kicks for an average of 23.2 yards per return so far this season.
Pete Emerson photo |
After last Saturday’s win over Connecticut, running backs coach Chris Beatty commented on the progress Rodgers is making both as a backup to Noel Devine and on special teams with his ability to change field position in the return game.
It was Rodgers’ 44-yard kickoff return following a Connecticut field goal that led to West Virginia’s first touchdown. Rodgers is also gradually getting more carries as the coaching staff becomes more comfortable with him out on the field.
“I’m happy that the coaches are getting more trust in me by putting me on the field,” Rodgers said Tuesday evening. “Every time that I get in I try to take advantage of my opportunity and just play the game.”
Two weeks ago the Lawndale, Calif., resident had an impressive 14-yard run against Auburn when he broke through an arm tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Against Marshall, he carried six times for a season-high 42 yards including a season-long 19 yard run.
Like Devine, Rodgers has sprinter’s speed that the coaching staff believes can get the football into the end zone.
“We need to get him some carries,” Beatty said. “It’s tough to do that with Noel back there because we don’t want to take him out. But every time Mark touches the ball he’s got a chance of taking it to the house. He’s also getting better each week on those returns.”
“I’m just being prepared every week,” Rodgers says. “The coaches prepare us very well and we have a good plan. I just follow it and listen to the coaches.”
Most of the carries at tailback so far this year have gone to Devine and slotback Jock Sanders. Devine has run for 909 yards and three touchdowns in eight games while Sanders scored three times against Connecticut, twice on the ground, and shows a team-leading eight touchdowns. When healthy, backup quarterback Jarrett Brown has also been used as a third-down back when the coaching staff needs a bigger back to help move the sticks in short yardage situations.
The 5-foot-9-inch, 185-pound Rodgers won’t assume that role, but he is about ready to become the guy the coaches can put out on the field to give Devine a rest when he needs it.
Rodgers is also getting close to making a big play in the return game. On his long return against Connecticut, the blocking was there but Rodgers said he just wasn’t patient enough to let it materialize.
“I think I need to slow down,” Rodgers said. “I didn’t let it develop so it makes it harder for my blockers. I guess I’ve got to continue to work on it in practice and hopefully one will bust out for me.”
The secret to returning kicks is knowing when to hit it and when to be patient and let your running lanes form. Rodgers said he is spending a lot of time watching some of the best kick returners in the NFL to try and pick up some of their secrets.
“Before every game I watch Devin Hester, so I just try to start off running fast and that’s probably what messes me up,” he said.
Rodgers says the same mindset also applies to running the zone play. You have to be patient enough to let your blockers get on their man, but explosive enough to get through the hole when a lane opens.
“You really just have to read it and be patient and wait for the blocks to develop just like a kickoff return and just hit it when you see the hole,” Rodgers said.
Again, Rodgers is learning from others.
“I have learned a lot of stuff from Noel as far as watching him run. I put it in my style of running – his work habits - he works hard,” Rodgers said.
Like most running backs, Rodgers was reared in the I-formation. He admits the I and the spread share many of the same running principles.
“It’s not too different. It’s just a tricky way to confuse the defense,” he said. “You can read it the same way - it’s just coming from a different angle.
“It’s all about your vision.”
Vision and patience, two things Mark Rodgers is starting to learn.
