UNCP running backs prepare for battle
By Brad Crawford
Sports Editor
Speed, quickness and power. Those are the buzzwords that define Black and Gold tailbacks Rashon Kennedy, Keith Gore and Brandon McLaurin.
The talented trio accounted for over 1,300 yards last season as freshmen, scoring nine touchdowns and controlling the clock in UNCP’s favor.
Much of the same will be expected from the three-player backfield this year as UNCP faces a challenging schedule, including a three-game road trip over consecutive weeks.
McLaurin will be the first to give his own scouting report on the Braves’ other ball-carriers as each moves closer to a 1,000-yard campaign in 2008.
“Rashon is an outstanding do-it-all type of player,” McLaurin said. “Keith will hit you with some of the quickest moves you’ve ever seen. He’s got great feet. Opposing teams don’t want to see myself, Rashon and Keith lined up in the backfield,” he added.
Kennedy, a former Lee County High standout, was the statistical leader for UNCP last season with a steady 668 yards on 113 attempts.
Gore, the Black and Gold’s tallest running back at an even 6-feet, toted the ball primarily in the red zone last season and scored twice on the ground.?
“I look at a sophomore as an experienced player whereas most teams are just trying to get sophomores playing time,” UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick said. “We’ve got sophomores for us that will be expected to lead.”
Despite a 3-2 record at home in 2007 and a narrow 10-point loss on the road at Davidson in the season-opener, McLaurin doesn’t view his freshman season and his team’s 4-7 record as a success. “We didn’t accomplish what we wanted last year and that starts with everyone playing as individuals,” McLaurin said. “We worried about our own game too often and needed to focus on playing as a team.”
“I returned a kickoff all the way back to the 6-yard line then fumbled,” McLaurin said, seemingly replaying the nightmare in his mind as he spoke. “That play didn’t die in my mind all season and hasn’t died this summer either.” Kennedy, Gore and McLaurin have worked on ball security throughout training camp as they try to limit turnovers this season in key situations.
“We had too many turnovers last season to really move the ball consistently,” Kennedy said. According to?Coach?Shinnick, maintaining a unit on campus strengthens team morale.
“We make them eat by position at most meals,” Shinnick said. “We want each of our guys to understand that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.” Shinnick believes camaraderie among players is important to push across the “unity” philosophy he is trying to instill this season. The offensive line staying “injury-free” throughout the season will be important towards a powerful running game according to Shinnick.
“Injuries on the o-line right now are a concern,” Shinnick said. “Anytime you move a guy from second team to first team, it’ll always be a concern.”
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