The Wolf Pack’s new running game
Nevada’s rushing game, which represents the majority of coach Chris Ault’s Pistol offense, will look very different this season without tailbacks Brandon Fragger (bruised shoulder injury) and Luke Lippincott (anterior cruciate ligament injury).
Fragger was Nevada’s best route runner out of the backfield and led the team in all-purpose yards (348), while Lippincott was the Western Athletic Conference leading rusher last season (1,420 yards).
“We still have some guys, and we’ll just have to move it around a little,” Nevada Coach Chris Ault said.
Wolf Pack running back Vai Taua, who was third on the depth chart at the beginning of the season, will now lead Nevada’s depleted rushing game.
Fragger was told after the Missouri game that he would be out for the remainder of the season, but after further examination of the injury, Nevada announced he would only be out four weeks. Ault isn’t too worried because he thinks Nevada has three capable running backs.
Vai Taua
Nevada will use a backfield by committee this season, but the running back getting the most carries will be Taua.
“I’m going to have to hold down the No. 1 spot,” Taua said after hearing about Fragger’s injury at Missouri. “I’m going to have to be more of a leader and carry the load.”
The sophomore led Nevada’s rushing game in the season opener against Grambling State. He finished the game with 103 yards, 12 carries and two touchdowns. Taua’s career numbers prior to this game were 112 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown. With less carries, more scores and barely missing his compiled rushing mark by nine yards, Taua pounded the ball through the Tiger’s defensive line. At one point, near the halfway mark of the second quarter, Taua broke out for a career-long 62-yard run.
“I believe that downhill running is the best aspect of my game,” Taua said. “Just trying to get tough yards while moving the ball downfield, doing what I can.”
In recent appearances, Taua has used a similar style of running to Lippincott’s. Taua’s quickness, strength and power could make him a threat when the team is looking to run the ball up the middle. Taua might be the ideal goal-line back for Nevada. If the offense needs short yardage near the end zone, Taua could be the guy to get the job done.
Courtney Randall
Taua is not the only healthy back left on the Wolf Pack roster. The other sophomore running back, Courtney Randall, is a physical runner according to running backs coach Jim Mastro. Randall saw his first action of the season against Missouri with two carries for 10 yards. Randall is fairly unknown among the Wolf Pack running backs.
“Think of B.J. Mitchell (former Nevada running back),” Mastro said. “Then think of a bigger, stronger and taller version. That is what you have with Courtney Randall.”
Lampford Mark
Nevada’s freshman running back made his Wolf Pack debut after Fragger’s injury against Missouri. He carried the ball seven times for 25 yards.
“He didn’t make any mistakes (in his debut),” Ault said. “He did OK. He (and Randall) will both get more playing time as the season goes.”
Mark is considered by many coaches to be the fastest running back on the team. With his speed and agility, the offense could be a handoff away from turning a first and 10, from any yard marker on the field, into six points. Mark could be used on pretty much every play that is looking to pick up significant yardage. The quarterback could also call an audible and have Mark line up as a wide receiver.
With his speed, it would be very difficult for a linebacker to guard him man-to-man. That would help soften up the coverage on our other receivers and make plays down the field more of a threat. Mark could also receive a short pass over the middle or run the ball outside to make the defense pay for sitting in zone coverage.
Mark Minguey can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com
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