Colorado University Athletics
Running Backs Working On Little Things In Spring
BOULDER ? Aside from the well publicized battle at the quarterback spot for the University of Colorado football team during spring practices, perhaps the battle that could be listed as 1A for most Buff fans is also in the offensive backfield and the running backs spot.
While itGÇÖs a good problem to have battles at both positions, at the running backs spot you can almost substitute the word battle with depth.
GÇ£Everybody is in the mix,GÇ¥ running backs coach Darian Hagan said. GÇ£IGÇÖm happy with all six guys, they all bring a different element to our game and we can do a lot of different things with them out of the back field.GÇ¥
Hagan has the running backs focusing on the little things early during the spring, mainly footwork, so they are more natural and fluid in the backfield. While spring football is a good time to work through the little things, Hagan still expects a lot out of his backs.
GÇ£I expect perfection every time out,GÇ¥ Hagan said. GÇ£By the time the spring game comes around, weGÇÖll be where we want to be, especially Darrell Scott. WeGÇÖre playing hard and consistent, but I want to get to the point where theyGÇÖre just out there playing football and not thinking about the little things.GÇ¥
Hagan said Scott at times tried to be perfect, a good problem to have.
GÇ£He knows what heGÇÖs doing but you canGÇÖt be perfect,GÇ¥ Hagan said. GÇ£He just needs to let his natural abilities take over. Just go out and play and everything will take care of itself.GÇ¥
Scott certainly showed flashes of brilliance during his freshman campaign, but he has spent a lot of time over the winter in the weight room. HeGÇÖs down to just over 200 lbs and is under five percent body fat, as well.
GÇ£The winter was intense,GÇ¥ Scott said. GÇ£But I just dedicated myself. It was a lot of hard work. IGÇÖm going 100 percent in every drill starting right now.GÇ¥
When asked what the difference is between a year ago and now, Scott simply said he was ready and prepared.
Scott battled through some minor injury bugs during his freshman campaign and was still the Buffs second leading rusher, behind fellow true freshman Rodney "Speedy" Stewart.
Stewart led the Buffs with 622 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. And donGÇÖt forget about Demetrius Sumler, who will be a junior and is who Hagan describes as GÇ£Steady Eddie.GÇ¥ Sumler has hit pay dirt eight times in his two year career and was the Buffs leading receiver out of the backfield last season with 18 grabs for 167 yards.
GÇ£He knows everything,GÇ¥ Hagan said. GÇ£But weGÇÖre trying to turn the heat up on him having Speedy chase him and push him.GÇ¥
Brian Lockridge will also have a chance to contribute. He took a redshirt last season after seeing action in nine games in 2007, including one start against Kansas State. He showed flashes that season with runs of 47 and 40 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
Hagan used a unique method to get the point across to Lockridge about patience.
GÇ£I told him,GÇ¥ Hagan explained. GÇ£?YouGÇÖre driving a sport car around Boulder, and you want everybody to see you, right? Yeah, OK, so you have to be patient. Then when itGÇÖs time to push on the gas and let everybody know your car goes real fast, you press on the gas and go.GÇÖ So heGÇÖs learning that.GÇ¥
Hagan expects Corey Nabors and Kevin Moyd to contribute, as well. Hagan compares Nabors to Sumler and thinks he can do great things when he puts everything together. Moyd has had some ups and downs throughout his career, but Hagan just told him that his senior year will be a new lease on life and he has an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Hagan expects all six to see action at some point and none of the six are similar so this group should give the Buffs plenty of options for game-planning come the fall.
Hagan summed it up best, GÇ£IGÇÖm just happy to be coaching these guys.GÇ¥