ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – When Jawon Hamilton went down with a season-ending injury on the opening drive at Maryland, UCF turned to a stable of young running backs to carry the load.
As a result, Taj McGowan, Adrian Killins Jr., and Otis Anderson have stepped up in a big way.
"Injuries happen in football," Killins said earlier this week. "We have to be focused on doing our job as the next men up. Jawon is a great athlete and contributed a lot in those first two games. Everybody in the running back room has different attributes that we bring to the table. We didn't miss a beat when the next guy stepped up."
The running backs have been a big factor in helping the No. 17/18 Knights boast the top scoring offense in the nation. The rushing attack is ranked 23rd with 229 yards per game and 24th in rushing touchdowns at 19 total scores.
UCF is one of only 16 teams this season to rush for over 15 touchdowns and average more than 5.5 yards per carry.
Running backs coach Ryan Held credited recruiting for assembling such an explosive and versatile backfield.
"We've done a good job in recruiting to get some new guys in here," Held said. "That has given us some flexibility. We have that next man up mentality. Our standard never changes, no matter who is in there. Our guys have really bought into that. As we keep developing this offense, we have guys who can do a lot of different things."
Killins and McGowan teamed up for a dynamic one-two punch in Hamilton's absence. McGowan's ability to run between the tackles combined with Killins' speed on the outside has produced 11 touchdowns and more than 600 yards on the ground.
McGowan has been a consistent factor in the backfield, racking up 215 yards on 51 touches. He also found pay dirt in each of the first five games this season.
Killins, the self-proclaimed fastest man in college football, has shown off that lightning fast speed on touchdown carries of a school record 96 yards against Memphis and a 79-yard score to give the Knights some breathing space against Navy.
"Our coaches did a great job of recruiting," Killins said. "They brought in guys who can line up in the backfield or out in the slot to create nightmares for defenses. It's hard to scout for teams like us. Having so many guys makes it harder for teams to key in on just one running back. I know if it's not working for me, my teammates will step in for a drive to get the offense moving."
Up by three in the fourth quarter at Navy last week, Anderson stepped into the backfield to seal the game. The native of Jacksonville carried the rock five times for 41 yards, eventually putting the game out of reach with a 10-yard scoring run with 3:30 to play.
"Don't mess up," Anderson said. "That's all I could think. I really like pressure situations like that. The fact that the coaches believe in me to run the ball at a time like that says a lot about what they think about me. A lot of the credit has to go to the other running backs. They've helped me get prepared each week. I wouldn't have been able to do what I did without them."
Anderson has found plenty of work in the backfield in recent weeks. A receiver by trade, the freshman ranks fourth on the team in rushing with 158 yards and one of the most important touchdowns of the year.
He is far from the only other contributor in the backfield. Greg McRae and Cordarrian Richardson have each found pay dirt this season, and Marlon Williams took a handoff for 47 yards at Cincinnati. Excluding quarterbacks, 11 different players have carried the ball for the Knights.
"It's great to have a lot of different options," Held added. "They all can do what we want them to do, but there's certain situations where a specific guy can fit the play or concept. I've got confidence in all our guys. We've got a nice group, but we're not satisfied. We have a huge stretch of games ahead, so we need to keep getting better and take care of business."
The young backfield will look to take the next step on Saturday when the Knights host Austin Peay at Spectrum Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. on ESPN3.
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is now underway. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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