BLOG 11: Bulldogs eye stronger running game this fall

By Sandy Gholston

Big Rapids - - Ferris State University would love nothing more than to be able to establish a powerful and consistent running game on the football field.

The ability to run the ball is something in the back of the mind of Ferris offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy, who has been encouraged with respect to the potential through nearly four weeks of spring practices in Big Rapids. Last season, Ferris’ running game largely came from the legs of workhorse quarterback C.J. Van Wieren, who was not only the team’s leading passer, but also the top rusher coming out of the team’s backfield.

Ferris State University running back Paris Holloman takes the ball from quarterback Tom Schneider during practice in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

“Running back is the group where we’ve seen the most improvement from the beginning of the spring to where we are right now getting ready for our spring game,” said McCarthy, who is taking a hard look at a stable of running backs that include Leonard Curry, Tim Hogue, Chuck Wasson, Marvel Pridgeon and Paris Holloma among others. “I think our backs are running the ball a lot better and a lot harder this spring and that’s something that has definitely been encouraging.”

McCarthy is looking for some runners who can gain the tough yards between the tackles as well as get outside and turn up the field.

“Our guys right now are running physical and that has been one of the biggest positives,” he said. “They’re not out there trying to do too much cutting or anything like that. They are going in there and running hard and they’re also getting down the field and doing some blocking and that’s something that’s going to be important to us.”

It’s a little early to talk about who is first string or second string or anything of that nature on the team’s depth chart.

“It’s still kind of early and it’s possible we will be having running back by committee out there,” McCarthy said. “There’s still a lot of time between now and the beginning of the season.”

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com