Running backs shine in UNI Spring Game

CEDAR FALLS - From the start of spring practice, the Northern Iowa football team had a long way to go in a new offense.

And while the unit still has a lot of work left to do under new offensive coordinator Joe Davis, one position group and two players in particular showed in Friday's Spring Game that even without that soon-to-be NFL running back on the field, the backs are the strongest group by far.

'I'm very pleased with them,” said Coach Mark Farley after the Purple unit beat the White unit, 49-6, in the annual Spring Game. 'I think we can roll them (in and out), I think they can be on the field at the same time, because they've got blocking ability - they're big enough to block - and yet they're both tailbacks.

'We've got more than two running backs, we probably have three or four. For sure three (with Tyvis Smith).”

Last year's lead backup Darrian Miller and Rutgers transfer Savon Huggins broke off for long runs, scored touchdowns and caught passes in a glimpse of the new-look offense.

Miller had six carries for 56 yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches for 38 yards. Huggins, who was on the field in a game setting for the first time since the 2013 season at Rutgers, had seven carries for 83 yards and a touchdown, as well as four catches for 27 yards.

'What I liked about Huggins is I hadn't seen him run (in a game setting). And each week we've given him the ball more and more, and he continually makes the right cut and a really strong cut. He has progressed and I've seen the same thing with more repetitions,” Farley said. 'I knew Darrian. He needs that burst and can make that cut. He needs as many carries to get back on the field and to get his 25 reps. Those guys just need to get the ball because they're missing the continuous carries that they need (in practice).”

The offense installed by Davis is very much a hurry-up style, with screens, slants and read-options supplemented by some vertical plays, as well as draw plays to get the running backs in space where they can make the cuts they're so adept at making.

Huggins and Miller spent several plays on the field at the same time, owing to Davis' desire to experiment a little bit - as all coaches do in the spring - and get the best offensive unit as a whole on the field at the same time.

'There's no question about it, and any good football coach would tell you - whether it's high school or college - you've got to find ways to get your best 11 guys on the field,” Davis said. 'I think the spring is a nice time for some experimentation to see what roles certain players can fit into and be productive without taking away their natural football ability.

'There's trial and error with it, but for the most part we've found guys for some spots for the fall to build on it and hopefully go into fall with a mindset to be very, very productive.”

For their part, the players have relished the chance to be utilized in ways other than simply running the football - though, obviously, that's the chief desire for them.

Both Huggins and Miller said the spring has taught them a lot, and they've enjoy the chance to learn together and make their skill set wider.

'I think that's what makes you more versatile. You need to be able to do more than just run the ball, and I think in this offense you have the advantage of doing that,” Huggins said. 'And honestly, it comes down to what you do with the carries you get. I think Coach Davis' offense creates lanes for you to be able to run in if everyone does their part. I think we hit those today and we have to continue to do that.”

Farley, Davis and the players have all been very up front from the beginning of spring that the whole new system is a work in progress, but on the field after the spring game, each was happy with the progress that's been made - even if, as Davis said, there's still room to grow.

The relative efficiency of the hurry-up was a far cry from the beginning of April, when players were struggling to grasp even formations and sets.

'It really started off with coach Davis coming in and implementing the offense and it's just a testament to how good he is. He got us ready,” Miller said. 'There were times we came in and were doing our morning conditioning and he was calling out formations, and we (the running backs) were sitting there like, ‘We don't know.' Within a month, we're breaking down the offense, looking at different options and we're dissecting it.

'Any running back that gets put in this offense has a chance at success. We all just boost each other up and keep learning together.”

Running backs and associate head coach Bill Salmon said he's proud of the work his group has done all spring, and likes where the group is headed within the new offense. He also acknowledged how difficult a certain player will be to replace - 'You probably wouldn't be able to replace him for 100 years” - but that 'these other kids are good football players and they're going to be fun to watch.”

The backs are likely to be the focal point of the offense - at least right away - when the season kicks off Sept. 5 at Jack Trice Stadium against Iowa State, and not just because of the depth of talent at running back at UNI. Davis learned pretty quickly from Salmon and Farley that success in the Missouri Valley Football Conference requires a good running game.

'Unquestionably, those running backs have to be our focus,” Davis said. 'The offensive line has to be the focus; the receivers, their ability to buy into blocking in the run game, and then creativity from a coaching standpoint to figure out a way to get the quarterback involved in the run game. That ability to establish the run is going to be key to our success this fall.”

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com