The New York Giants successfully introduced the modern “Thunder and Lightning” dual running back system. Now, the Terrapin football team is thriving off of it.
With Lance Ball as the power back and Keon Lattimore providing the speed, the Terps have two No. 1 senior running backs to rely on. But it’s not just happening in College Park. The two running back system is becoming the trendy way to run an offense in both the NCAA and NFL.
Just a take look at the ACC. Along with the Terps, Clemson, Boston College and Miami all rely on a one-two punch out of the backfield. Clemson’s junior James Davis and sophomore C.J. Spiller combined for more than 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Had Spiller gained an extra 62 yards, both backs would have surpassed 1,000.
Over at Arkansas, sophomores Darren McFadden and Felix Jones each rushed for more than 1,000 yards – by far. That’s no easy feat in college, where teams only play 11-13 games each season. Prominent programs like USC, Oklahoma and LSU have all had success with two running backs in the past (remember Reggie Bush and LenDale White?) and could go that route this season.
And in the NFL, Jacksonville, Dallas, the Giants, Minnesota and Carolina rely heavily on two running backs splitting carries.
“[Running backs] take such a beating,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “When I was in the NFL, the longevity of a running back was probably four and a half years. I think it’s something like three right now. They just take such a beating. You gotta be tough to be a running back. You’re never gonna be totally healthy; you’re always gonna be banged up.”
Last year, Ball rushed for 815 yards and eight touchdowns, while Lattimore had 743 yards and three scores. Friedgen was pretty consistent about splitting it 50/50, as Ball had just 14 more carries than Lattimore.
“Whenever you have a speed back and then a power back, that wears down a defense,” Lattimore said. “You pound ’em, you pound ’em, you pound ’em, then you put your speed back in, and he runs all over them. It tires out the defense in the fourth quarter.”
On the surface, it’d seem like splitting carries wouldn’t necessarily be how a running back wants to be utilized in the offense. But it works for the Terps in part because Ball and Lattimore are so close.
Off the field, the two seniors are roommates and have always been close; on the field, they compete to make each other better.
“It’d be harder if they weren’t that way, and I think each of them want to be the guy,” running back coach Phil Zacharias said. “I think they embrace one another, they get after one another. They’re both hungry and have some goals set for themselves, but it’s a better situation the fact that they are so close.”
Added Friedgen, “I think they respond pretty good to it. I think they pull for each other. I see them talking all the time offering suggestions. Some formations we play with both of them in the game, so I see them trying to help each other all the time.”
Last year, the Terps were quite successful in the fourth quarter, thanks much in part to Ball and Lattimore. During close games, the Terps were able to gain big first downs, even when the defense knew the run was coming.
“Towards the end of the game, you don’t feel as worn out as you do if you had all the carries,” Ball said. “It just keeps your legs fresh, keeps you into the game, keeps you ready.”
Against Virginia – a game that proved to be the turning point of the Terps’ season – Ball took all of the carries on the first three drives of the third quarter. On the Terps’ first full drive of the fourth quarter, Lattimore was given the carries and he broke a 56-yard touchdown to give the Terps their first lead.
In the Champs Sports Bowl against Purdue, the Terps ran 25 fourth-quarter plays, compared to 10 for Purdue and dominated time of possession because they were able to keep the clock moving. Going into the quarter, Lattimore had 13 carries during the game; in the fourth quarter alone, he had seven and gained 34 yards.
“I think that’s the key; when you try to use depth so that in the fourth quarter you are able to have fresh legs,” Zacharias said. “And I think the thing with Keon and Lance, each of them bring a different flavor of running style to the games, so sometimes it’s just a matter of what you’re looking for in a game in particular.”
The Terps are a team that likes to set the tone with the running game, so it’s equally important for them to have Ball and Lattimore on the same page.
“It’s one of those things where I know for a fact that those two enjoy playing with each other, enjoy sharing the time,” senior guard Andrew Crummey said. “They’re close like that. For them to be fresh in a game obviously is a great thing. It’s great to have a fresh back, but it’s also great to have two backs who have no problem sharing that time and take pride in sharing that time and helping each other out.”
Last season, Ball was the starting running back. This season, it will be Lattimore. Ultimately, though, it really doesn’t seem to matter. To everyone on the team, they’re both starters.
