With the departures of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball, the Terrapin football team lost two of its top 14 leading rushers in program history.
Terp fans may not forget the duo which combined for 1,573 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, but sophomore running backs Da’Rel Scott and Morgan Green will try to start their own memorable running back combo this season.
“It’s sad to see [Lattimore and Ball] go, but now it’s my time to step up,” Green said. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to go out there and play.”
Scott and Green entered preseason camp listed together at the top of the Terps’ depth chart at halfback. The third-year backs are prepared to share the load for the Terps this season.
Offensive coordinator James Franklin is excited to have Scott’s speed and Green’s power at his disposal coming out of the backfield.
“I think we’ve got two guys we can definitely win with,” Franklin said. “We’ve just got to take advantage of their strengths.”
Scott, a 5-foot-11 former high school track star, left his mark last season as a kick-off return specialist, averaging a team-high 84.2 all-purpose yards per game. He showed his explosiveness averaging 9.6 yards per carry and taking a screen pass 57 yards for a touchdown in the Terps’ upset win against Boston College.
Green, who has earned “Iron Terp” status in each of his three seasons for his work in the weight room, needs to prove he can stay healthy. He broke his clavicle during the 2007 Red-White game and battled a hamstring injury last season, which limited his season rushing stats to zero yards on three carries.
Bowie State transfer Rashad Henry and freshman Davin Meggett could also see carries this season.
“We bring different things to the game,” Scott said. “It’s going to hurt the defense because they really don’t know exactly what kind of running game we’re going to bring.”
The major unknown is durability. Scott said he needs to show in camp that he can make all the necessary blocks in pass protection and handle more carries. Green’s daily routine now includes extra stretching to avoid unnecessary injuries.
But Franklin isn’t concerned about finding someone to take the bulk of the load.
“I think the term ‘every-down-back’ is really non-existent anymore,” Franklin said. “You better have two or three backs who can take the pounding and handle the workload of the position.”
But Scott and Green, who room together during camp, know just one person will be in the backfield for the first snap against Delaware on August 30. They will be battling for carries throughout the preseason.
“We’re competitors, and we want that starting spot,” Scott said. “If I do get that starting spot, I’m going to take it and try to run away with it.”
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