WMU Football in Full Pads - Day 5 Camp
With WMU Media Day in the rear-view mirror, the running backs for the Broncos this season look to put defenders in the rear-view as well. Day 5 of Fall Camp was pushed inside due to poor weather conditions and a re-vamped offense thrived in the Seelye Center.
The WMU offense is no stranger to putting up big numbers through the passing game. This high powered passing offense can sometimes overshadow the running backs that pass block and pound it out on the ground. As teams may doubt WMU's ability to run, that just adds to their motivation.
"I'm a running back, I want to run the ball. " said junior Antoin Scriven. "I just want to help my team win."
Today's practice was the first practice in full pads and both the offense and defense wasted no time in getting acclimated with each other through hitting one another. The running backs were put to the test in game-like situations in practice, as they were suseptible to getting tackled fully to the ground.
"I have to set the example and come out and work hard everyday in practice," said Scriven.
Though not much of the exposure goes to the running backs, the position has depth with four juniors that all saw action for the Broncos last season. Something that will tremendously help the team later on in 2012.
"It's good to have a variety of backs," said junior Dareyon Chance. "Small, big, quick, slow, it's all nice."
With both Scriven and Chance being leaders of the group, it's key that they develop some of the younger backs.
"I just have to do my part and help on the younger guys as a team player," Chance said.
The running backs came out in today's practice with a full head of steam and confidence running through the tackles. Not only were they flashing their running skills, they also flashed their receiving skills when Chance made a sliding one handed catch near the sideline.
This group of experienced backs give the Broncos a different dimension to the heavy pass offense. The backs have a good chemistry heading into the season and could be a factor in many wins for the Broncos.
"You could call us the Wild Boys," Chance said. "Never know what you're going to get."
Nathan Palcowski is staff writer for www.wmubroncos.com and will be covering the Broncos during fall camp and beyond.
