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Friday, December 13, 2002
Miami boasts bevy of talent at receiver, running back
Associated Press
MIAMI -- Clinton Portis led No. 4 Miami with 133 yards rushing in the season opener.
Thing is, he's the third-string tailback.
The sophomore's success magnifies a pleasant problem that hounds Miami coach Butch Davis as each game nears - how to distribute the ball to the Hurricanes' talented skill players.
"Clearly there's guys that we want to have the ball," Davis said. "But defenses can dictate who you go to. Our talent makes defenses honest because they can't just try to shut down one guy."
Davis has already announced the starting tailback for this Saturday's game against No. 15 Washington, and it isn't Portis. James Jackson, Miami's starter for its last two season-openers, will get the nod in the Hurricanes' first real test of the season after a 61-14 drubbing of I-AA McNeese State on Aug. 31.
"I'm not yanking running backs in and out to have some kind of fictitious rotation," Davis said. "We plan to always have a fresh guy in there, always keeping them in long enough to allow them to get a feel for the game."
Portis stepped in for Jackson last season while he nursed ankle and shoulder injuries. Portis led Miami with 838 rushing yards as a freshman, but he is still stuck behind Jackson, a senior, and junior Najeh Davenport.
"It's not easy to watch from the sidelines when you know that you can get it done," Portis said. "I try to do the best I can on every play, just in case I don't get another crack at it for a while."
Jackson is fourth on the Hurricanes' career rushing list and has started 34 games.
"We have a lot of good backs on the team and that's good," said Jackson, who ran for 58 yards against McNeese State. "Right now I believe I'm getting the job done. Clinton's time will come."
Sophomore quarterback Ken Dorsey, who will be making his fifth career start, and first on the road, against the Huskies, said he loves having these tools at his disposal.
Receiver Santana Moss is Miami's most dangerous threat with a combination of flashy moves and 4.3 speed. Against McNeese State, the senior scored on a 77-yard punt return and a 75-yard reverse for a total of 204 yards offense in the game.
Reggie Wayne, a senior, is third on the Hurricanes career receiving yardage list, behind Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas. He caught two touchdowns passes against McNeese State.
Daryl Jones and Andre Johnson are third and fourth receiving options that could likely start for many other college teams.
Davis and offensive coordinator Larry Coker say they don't decide ahead of time how many touches Moss or Wayne should get, or how many carries the backs will receive.
"We need to get the ball to our playmakers, but the key is balance," Coker said. "Most any defense can prepare for a team that only runs or only passes."
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