UCGrad1992
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RE: Random Thoughts From Bearcat Nation
Quote:WEST HARRISON, Ind. - The University of Cincinnati has not produced a 1,000-yard football rusher since George Winn gained 1,334 yards in 2012. Bearcats senior Mike Boone plans to end that drought this season.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Boone (Macclenny, Fla. native) has shown flashes of his former speed as UC continues preseason practice here at Camp Higher Ground. Boone played only nine games in 2016 because of a turf toe injury, but he is healthy now. Boone will be the featured back when UC opens the season Aug. 31 against Austin Peay at Nippert Stadium.
"At least 1,000 plus yards this year," Boone said, when asked about his goals for 2017. "Just showcase some versatility, anything to help make the offense better."
The top UC rusher last year was Tion Green, who rushed for 743 yards and since has earned a free-agent look with the Detroit Lions. The Bearcats mainly were a passing team under former coach Tommy Tuberville, who preferred a committee approach with his running backs.
Everything went south in 2016, when UC finished 4-8 and was among the worst offenses in America. The Bearcats ranked 123rd of 128 FBS teams in scoring (19.3 points per game) and tied for last in rushing touchdowns (8).
New coach Luke Fickell said that Boone will carry a big load, within reason.
"I truly believe Mike Boone’s going to be one of our best players," Fickell said. "We’ll have some objectives for him. If that's X amount of touches it’s like a pitcher, all of a sudden you start getting him a bunch over his touches, what is he? There’s such a thing as a back takes too many shots, and by the end of the year they’re no good."
Redshirt freshman Gerrid Doaks (Indianapolis Lawrence Central, Ind.) is projected as the primary backup to Boone. Doaks is projected to get plenty of work.
"We all know Mike’s the No. 1 back, so he’ll get most of the reps," Doaks said. "Whenever he needs a breather or whenever coach decides to put me in, they basically expect me to do anything Mike can do. Just be a playmaker on the field."
The 6-foot, 222-pound Doaks is more a power back than Boone, whose forte is speed. Doaks said he has grown from 198 pounds to 222 since arriving at UC as a 3-star recruit last season. Physically, Doaks may remind UC fans of the departed Green.
"I’m a downhill runner, probably more of a Tion-type runner," Doaks said. "One cut, get downhill, more of a powerful runner. Not afraid of contact."
To start off, UC fans will be anxious to see the old Boone. Boone burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2014, including a 212-yard rushing game against South Florida. Boone averaged 6.4 yards per carry as a freshman and 7.2 as a sophomore.
Boone entered his junior year with a career 6.8 yards-per-carry average, tops in UC history. Injuries, inconsistent blocking and overall ineffectiveness followed in 2016, when Boone averaged only 3.7 yards per carry (388 yards rushing) and scored just twice. This, after Boone totaled18 touchdowns during his first two seasons.
Boone's career rushing average has fallen to 5.8 per carry, now No. 4 in UC history. One more good year, and Boone again could threaten UC career leaders Roger Stephens (6.62 yards-per-carry from 1946-48), Dom Del Bene (6.07 from 1951-53) and Isaiah Pead (6.00 from 2008-11).
Overall, Boone has rushed for 1,787 career yards.
UC also plans to throw more to its backs this season, and Boone has shown he can catch it. Boone has 41 career receptions, including a career-high 20 last year despite his shortened season. Boone also may return some punts this year
"It's in the coaches’ hands, however they want the load to be split up," Boone said. "We're going to be up-tempo."
GINO IN CHARGE: Boone, Doaks and their fellow backs are being led by UC Ring of Honor quarterback Gino Guidugli. Guidugli is the new UC running backs coach, after seven years as an assistant at Central Michigan.
"Gerrid Doaks is going to play an integral part in our offense," Guidugli said. "Obviously we’re going to do everything we can to get the ball into Mike Boone’s hands, but Mike Boone isn’t going to be able to go in and take every snap. I tell my guys all the time that there's only seven of us in this room, and by the end of the year we might need every single one of you guys."
Along with Boone and Doaks, UC's other running backs are sophomore Taylor Boose (Clifton, Va.), redshirt freshman Hunter Gillespie (Taylor HS, Cincinnati) and true freshmen Michael Warren II (Toledo, Ohio), Jaelen Greene (College Park, Ga.) and Michael Kopaygorodsky (Mason HS, Ohio).
Fickell's take:
"I would say Mike (Boone) is 1A. I would say Doaks would be 1B. We'll find out who's that 1C guy."
Boone. Mike Boone. Boom!
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