Wild Horses: Why WVU's Running Game Is Primed for a Big Year in 2011

As the draft looms just days ahead, Noel Devine gets ready to hand his fate over to the NFL Gods who will decide whether or not he is worthy of putting on his Sunday best.  Needless to say, Devine's stock has fallen mightily since a year ago when whispers of his dark horse Heisman candidacy were heard all over the Big East.  A senior season plagued by a lingering foot injury and some gutless losses to Syracuse and UConn, however, put any rumors of a trip to New York to rest.  

In Morgantown, however, Devine has secured himself a place in the pantheon of Mountaineer greats.  The diminutive speedster will forever be remembered as arguably the most explosive runner to ever take a handoff in Touchdown city.  So with Devine gone, what is now in store for West Virginia's ground game?  Certainly with Dana Holgorsen orchestrating his dominating brand of air raid in Morgantown the space between the tackles will be bricked off and forgotten, right?  

Wrong.  

While Holgorsen's offense does heavily favor the pass it also allows for plenty of opportunities to hand the ball off.  Just ask Kendall Hunter.  Last year under Holgorsen at Oklahoma State, Hunter sprang for 1,548 on 271 carries.  Not bad considering he was the second option for an offense that threw the ball 532 times in 2010.  And Hunter is by no means a big back at 5'7", Hunter stands equal with Devine (though Hunter outweighs Devine by about 20 pounds).  So it's clear that Holgorsen doesn't just settle for a big back who gets charity carries to melt away the clock. 

But what about personnel?  These aren't Holgorsen's boys.  As remnants of Jeff Mullen's system, what can the current backfield lineup provide?  In truth, the Mountaineers will have more than they need in 2011. 

There's an even mix of size and speed, power and elusiveness.  Big bodies like Ryan Clarke, Matt Lindamood and Ricky Kovatch all have experience, with Clarke being the most seasoned of three.  While Clarke has been hampered by fumble-itis in spring drills, these three should see quality minutes as essential blockers and short down specialists.  In other words, don't expect these guys to be statistical monsters; their importance will reside in the intangible.  

When Holgorsen does look to open up the run game, though, you're likely to hear a lot about Daquan Hargrett and Trey Johnson.  Both rising sophomores, the pair only combined for 56 total yards last year but make no mistake, this will change in 2011.  Both Johnson and Hargrett are archetypal Devine-type runners—small, deceivingly strong and explosive.  What's more is that the word coming out of spring practice is that both guys have been impressing Holgorsen, who, many are quick to note isn't the most effervescent coach in the biz (sound familiar, Huggs?).  True freshman Vernard Roberts has also drawn some of the same praise with flashes of true speed and make-them-miss maneuverability. 

Then there's Shawne Alston.  The junior out of Hampton, VA is neither a bull or a bronco but, rather a blend of both.  In 2010 Alston carried the ball 56 times for 248 yards.  Look for those numbers to rise dramatically in 2011.  Alston is no squirt at 6', 220 pounds.  His size will give corners and safeties fits should they decide to help out on the run.  But there is speed there too.  Alston may not have the projectile-like quality of Devine, Hargrett and Johnson but he can hold his own in a foot race.  Most important of all is that Alston, being a junior, is now one of the old boys.  Assuming a leadership role will only increase his market value in Holgorsen's scheme, and being that the new system insists that a player focus on only doing one thing and doing it very well, then Alston is by default a novelty because he is both big and fast. 

It is still early.  Any talk of who will be Devine's heir apparent while the new offensive scheme is still in chrysalis is guess work at best as not even Holgorsen knows who will lead the Mountaineers ground game in 2011.  If I've omitted the names of Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison, it's for good reason: They won't arrive until the fall.  Holgorsen will likely keep the colts reined in their freshman year unless they put on a fireworks display once they arrive on campus.  All Stewart and Holgorsen know at this point is that the run game HAS to be there.  West Virginia will need the run game to excel in order for Geno Smith to conduct a nightmare orchestra for opposing defenses in 2011. 

My early call—Shawne Alston will be lead horse for a versatile stable of backs that will anchor the Big East's most dominant offense in the 2011-2012 season.  The only certainty at the moment is that Devine has played his last down in blue and gold.  He is standing at the threshold of being taken in the twilight rounds of the draft.  For Mountaineer nation, the time for moving on is now.  Most of us will look to the sky come September 4th when WVU opens up against Doc Holliday's Marshall squad.  Just don't forget to look to the turf, as well.  Holgorsen was a cowboy last year, after all.  Don't think he's afraid to let the horses run.