Trojans find depth at running back

TROY — Offensive coordinator Neal Brown said he usually doesn’t know who is in the game at running back.

As long as they know their assignment, that’s all that matters.

Last year, DuJuan Harris was the workhorse, eclipsing 1,000 yards and earning second-team all-conference honors. This year Harris’ numbers are down, but he’s playing well, coaches say.

But he’s got some help. Freshman Shawn Southward and senior Maurice Greer have stepped up their game, giving the Trojans a three-headed monster at the running back position.

All three are in line to get carries in Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against UL-Monroe. Troy (5-2, 4-0) has won five straight. ULM (4-3, 3-0) is the other unbeaten team in league play. All three scored touchdowns in each of the last two games.

“That’s been the biggest difference in why we’re playing better,” Brown said. “When we were struggling, we couldn’t get any type of a run game.

“I don’t even know who’s in the game most of the time. There’s some times I definitely want DuJuan in the game. There’s times I want the other two, but for the most part, (running backs coach Chad Scott) rolls in who he sees fit and it doesn’t change what we’re doing.”

Harris, a junior, has 377 yards. Southward has 188 and Greer 186. Last year, Harris was the man as backup Xavier Moreland (now graduated) was often injured and Greer hadn’t learned the offense yet.

“It might take some carries out, but it’s a team sport and we’ve all got to play together and get the win,” Harris said. “That’s the most important thing.”

While Harris is more apt to try to make a defender miss with a juke or spin move, Southward has been the best at hitting the hole and running north and south.

“We call him North and South,” receiver Jerrel Jernigan said. “When he gets it, he’s not playing with it or trying to juke you. He’ll either run through you or run by you.”

Greer has finally hit his stride during the middle of his senior season after transferring from junior college last year. He hit the hole for a big 46-yard touchdown run at FIU two weeks ago and ran for 80 yards against Middle Tennessee. At 210-215 pounds, he gives Troy the element of a bigger back.

“Maurice has been given a lot more opportunities this year,” center Danny Franks said. “This year they’ve got him in there more, and he’s showcased his talent. It’s sad that it was so late in his senior year, but he’s doing good.”

Harris remains the No. 1 guy, and if it’s a situation where a big yard or big play out of the backfield is needed, he’s likely to get the call.

“He’s played good all five weeks, but the last three weeks he’s played as good or better than any point last year,” Brown said. “What’s deceiving is that we’ve got better players.

“He got 95 percent of the carries last year. He’s staying fresher, but the end-of-game output isn’t what it was last year because other guys are getting some carries.”

Redshirt freshman D.J. Taylor got his first big action in the win over UNT, rushing for 53 yards on six carries in fourth-quarter time and is set for a prominent role in the future. Coaches have compared him to former big back Sean Dawkins, who excelled as a blocker but could also run with it.

Now, coaches are counting on the big three.

“We’ve got Greer who can come in, and he’s good at what he does,” Franks said. “DuJuan is a great running back. Southward is an all-star freshman. What can you say about Southward? He’ll come in and do what he needs to do to help the team out. We definitely have a three-headed monster.

“We have no worries at running back, that’s for sure.”