<a href='http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Players/TroyState_DeWhittBetterson.htm' target='_blank'>Troy RB DeWhitt Betterson</a>
Writeup by Pete Fiutak
Who is DeWhitt Betterson? ... Troy (no longer Troy State) has been a decent performer since coming up to the D-I level. At the very least, and this isn't meant as a backhanded compliment, it hasn't embarrassed itself considering where it started from winning 26 games over the last four years. Mostly the Trojans have won with defense consistently playing well enough to hang around for a while with the tougher teams on the schedule. What they haven't enjoyed is much of an offense.
It's hard to get too excited about an attack that struggled to average 15.4 points per game averaging 139.3 passing yards last season. This was the Barney Fife offense with only one bullet in the gun; running back DeWhitt Betterson.
Considering he received no support from the passing game, his 1,161-yard, nine-touchdown season last year was amazing. He's a fantastic blend of power and quickness who'll be even better this year as the offense, with a little more experience, is a bit stronger. He's easily within reach of several school records and, barring a disaster, should finish his career as Troy's all-time leading rusher. That's not that bad considering his first start came in the 2003 season opener.
Betterson's best game so far was ... in last year's 23-14 win over Utah State. Betterson was coming off a brilliant 177-yard, two touchdown performance in a loss to Middle Tennessee State before coming up with one of the best rushing performances of the year tearing off 230 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries against the Aggies. Over the two game span he ran 79 times for 407 yards and four touchdowns.
Why you should care about DeWhitt Betterson ... Patrick Cobbs of North Texas is the reigning star of the Sun Belt and should be one of the best running backs in the nation, but Betterson should be the league's second best back. Troy has all the pieces to win the league title (including not having to play the Mean Green), and Betterson will be the key piece. If he doesn't have a huge season, Troy will be a Sun Belt also-ran.
Positives about Betterson ... He's a good-sized all-purpose back able to run inside or out, catch the ball in a pinch and can return kicks. When he's on a roll he's all but unstoppable as a five-yard-per-carry workhorse able to carry the offense on his back. He has excellent straight-line speed on a 218-pound frame.
Negatives about Betterson ... He hasn't done much against good defenses. He tore through MTSU, Utah State, Florida International and Marshall, but was shut down completely by Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas State. While able to carry the ball and the offense, it has taken a bit of a toll playing through back pain last year needing off-season surgery.
A cool thing about Betterson that you probably didn't know ... He's related to former Pittsburgh Steeler Larry Brown ... There are lots of Ds in the family; his sisters' names are Dandreeca, Dakota and Dalice.
Career statistics
2003: 244 carries for 1,161 yards and nine touchdowns, seven catches for 46 yards
2002: 101 carries for 711 yards and five touchdowns, one catch for four yards
2001: 52 carries for 295 yards and a touchdown, one catch for five yards