LSU Football: Opposing Defenses Be-Ware of Running Game in 2011
LSU sophomore running back Spencer Ware quietly made a name for himself as a freshman, but won’t be quiet in 2011.
Ware, making a number change from No. 16 to No. 11, will be featured much more in 2011 than he was in 2010.
A two-sport athlete, Ware will also be playing baseball for the Tigers, and will probably be a No. 1 or No. 2 running back for the football team.
With very few rushing opportunities as a freshman, Ware made his mark catching balls out of the backfield, averaging 10 yards per catch on 11 catches.
His rushing numbers came primarily in two games, a 32-10 victory over McNeese State where he carried the ball five times for 31 yards, and in the Cotton Bowl where he exploded for 102 yards on 10 carries including a long of 26.
Ware is a competitor, so Tiger fans can be assured of one thing: Whether he is the starting running back or a role player, Ware will do whatever it takes to help the Tigers win.
Tiger running back coach Frank Wilson, like many fans, expects Ware to work his way into the starting lineup and increase his touches.
Ware has shown that when he gets touches, he can make things happen.
New offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe has many weapons at his disposal at LSU, but a talented running back like Ware who can make plays on the ground or running routes out of the backfield will make his job a lot easier and a lot more fun.
Having other talented backs to share the workload with will keep Ware fresh and a hopefully improved passing game should help him to exploit defenses with his speed and pass-catching abilities.
