UCF’s running game fell below expectations during week 1 of the college football season, after facing an unranked Florida International in the season opener.
“Teams that usually have a lot of success week 1 are teams that’ve been together for a while… We still have an offensive line that’s growing,” said former UCF running back and member of the UCF coaching staff, Kevin Smith.
UCF’s veteran running backs, Dontravius Wilson and William Stanback, struggled to get anything going last Thursday night against FIU.
“Thirty carries for forty-six yards – you can’t live like that in a football season,” said head coach George O’Leary.
Practice intensified for the Knights this week as they get ready to take on the Stanford Cardinals Saturday night, Sept. 12.
“All the backs have practiced hard this week,” said Smith.
One UCF running back that is expected to get more carries this week is true-freshman Taj McGowan.
McGowan enrolled early at UCF in the spring and has already made an impression during his short time with the university’s football program with his explosive speed.
“He is a faster back, but that can be a gift and a curse…he has to know when to use his speed,” said Smith. “He’s just improving and continuing to grow.”
Regardless of who’s running the ball for the Knights on Saturday, the offensive line has to get more push off the line of scrimmage.
“We have to be more physical up front. We have to come of the ball harder and establish the line of scrimmage,” said o-lineman Joey Grant.
The Knights are not expected to give up on their system of running the ball.
“We take pride in the running the ball and, although we didn’t get it done, I don’t think we’re going to give up on the run game. That’s who we are – that’s our MO,” said Grant.
“Coach O’leary is not going to stop running the ball, we just have to execute,” added Grant.
Photo credit: Nick Russett
