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Running Backs Battling For Playing Time

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

TAMPA - With a number of quality running backs vying for playing time in the University of South Florida's opener against Tennessee-Martin, the most challenging aspect has been getting each one enough practice reps, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

Senior Ben Williams is listed as the starter, followed by sophomores Jamar Taylor, Mike Ford and Richard Kelly.

"You can't get Ben out of there," Leavitt said. "Can't take Ford out of there, Taylor, Kelly - those four are the ones getting the most reps.

"You wonder if you hurt some by not giving them a lot of carries in practice," Leavitt said.

How deep is the Bulls' running back corps? Sophomore Moise Plancher, who started the season opener in 2006 only to suffer a torn ACL, is playing better than two years ago - and he can't crack the top four.

"I think Moise is playing better than he did when he started for us, I really do," Leavitt said.

Leavitt said ultimately the decision on who starts and how much game time the player receives is up to running backs coach Carl Franks.

"Carl knows a lot more about running backs than I do," Leavitt said. "He coaches them every day, played the position at Duke. He knows these players."

TAYLOR-MADE SUSPENSION: Freshman LB Quavon Taylor, who missed team meetings Sunday and Monday and Monday night's practice, has been suspended indefinitely by Leavitt.

"He missed practice Monday night and he'll miss a few more, I'm not going to let him back out there," Leavitt said. "He just has to find his way around the campus a little bit better. How long is he out? That I don't know."

ODDS AND ENDS: As of Tuesday, USF has distributed 39,000 tickets for Saturday's opener. The record for USF's home opener was 49,212 for the inaugural game in 1997. ... DE George Selvie was named a preseason All-American by ESPN.com. Selvie and Cincinnati P Kevin Huber were the only Big East players honored on the 25-player team.

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