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Unselfish backs are moving forward for BSU Broncos
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F or anyone who has ever tried to do more than what is asked of them, those people should sit down with the running backs for Boise State. For the second straight season the Broncos use a running-back-by-committee system. For a selfish person, this system would drive them nuts.
“You definitely can’t be selfish. But I’m not going to lie, it sometimes gets frustrating because you want to get in there and do some things that maybe you feel you can do especially when the team is struggling on offense,” senior running back Lee Marks said. “But you can’t be selfish because when your number is called, your number is called-you can’t be out there feeling bad. You have to be just as amped up as if you were getting the ball 95 times in that game.”
Marks is one of four running backs which rotate for Boise State this season. Whatever the team is doing with each one seems to be working, the Broncos are first in the WAC and 16th in the nation averaging 214 rushing yards per game.
“We can give the ball to different guys and still continue where someone just left off. I had an 11-yard run on Saturday and then Ian (Johnson) had a 7-yard run right after that. I mean he comes right off the bench, or whoever comes and we just leave off right where the other one did, and that’s good. We all cannot be selfish and do what we are asked to do,” Marks said.
The Broncos have three seniors and a freshman in the rotation at running back. Ian Johnson (the freshman) leads the teams in rushing yards (69.8 yards per game) and is fourth in the Western Athletic Conference this season. Johnson has also been the leading rusher for Boise State in every game this season.
“I think Ian is doing a good job and I think he is a good football player. There are three seniors leaving after this year and I think he’s had a chance to learn and watch a little bit when he was redshirting and he’s doing a good job so far this year. What can I say? The kid is good, he’s the future,” Marks said.
Marks is averaging 50.8 yards per game and has two touchdowns. He also has six catches for 20 yards and has returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Antwaun Carter has been the goal line specialist. He has three rushing touchdowns and the longest run of the season for the Broncos. The third senior, Jeff Carpenter, has been a workhorse. He is the best blocker of the backs and has even recovered a fumbled while on punt coverage against Georgia.
“He does everything for us. He’s definitely our best blocking back. When he gets his chance to make a play, it seems like he is always making it. He’s a very good player and rarely makes mistakes,” Zabransky said.
Carpenter was also on the short end of two calls Saturday against Portland State. Twice it looked as if Carpenter got the ball over the goal line on swing passes from Zabransky, but the officials called him out at the two and the 1-yard line. Boise State scored on the next plays on both drives.
For the three seniors, it may look like it could get difficult in their final season to get a little bitter that they can’t do more on the field because of the rotation. But once they do get in, they all make the most of it.
“You have to be willing to sacrifice your body for the team. You have to be willing to sacrifice anything for the team,” Marks said. “When they asked for me to do something, I did my best and performed.”
For Johnson, it’s also a time for him to live and learn.
“I didn’t even think I would be playing this early on in my career and to be getting as many carries as I am is amazing,” Johnson said.
And he gets to learn from some of the most unselfish players in the game.
“I’m a team player. If they told me, ‘Lee won’t be getting the ball anymore and you have to play defense,’ you better believe I’m going to strap on my shoes and throw on that orange jersey during practice and give them my all. That’s the way you have to be,” Marks said.
The rest of the team, especially Zabransky loves having all of those guys ready to go.
“I enjoy having all those guys back there. They are all good running backs and I think it’s good for the team to get them all in there and contribute as they do,” Zabransky said.
The only thing this group is missing is a 100-yard rushing game for one player. Johnson had 85 against Oregon State, but that is the closest thing that has come close to the milestone-but that seems to be good enough to the team.
“I think it’s OK to spread it around. I think that is one of our focuses is to get everyone involved,” Zabransky said.
Trevor Horn / Sports Editor
