Running backs will get expanded role in new Southeast Missouri State offense

Southeast Missouri State offensive coordinator Sherard Poteete has one of the best problems a coach could have -- depth at a position.

He also has a pretty good solution, too.

There are multiple running backs that will likely earn playing time this fall, and the Redhawks change under first-year coach Tom Matukewicz to a spread offense will allow more opportunities at the position.

"Just based off last year, you had a great running back in DeMichael Jackson, and obviously we expect big things out of him," Poteete said. "Then you've got some depth, though, at that position, which is awesome for myself as a play-caller."

Poteete thinks Jackson, a junior who rushed for 977 yards and four touchdowns on 170 carries last season, has proven himself as the front-runner to start but that each of the running backs could play critical roles for the Redhawks during their season that starts Aug. 28 against Missouri Baptist.

"We're really trying to get those guys' game widened out a little bit, even putting them out at receiver, so we're going to play a lot of guys," Poteete said. "Whoever starts the game may not necessarily be the guy that gets the most snaps because we're going to play a lot of guys, and when you have depth you're able to do that."

Poteete also expects senior Lennies McFerren, junior Lewis Washington and redshirt freshman Brendan Stewart to earn time this season.

McFerren ran for 84 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries last season, while Washington had 375 yards rushing and one touchdown on 44 carries.

"You've got four or five guys there that we think that can handle the ball and that will touch the ball for us in meaningful snaps," Poteete said. "When you've got four running backs there at the depth, it's good to sit there and hand the ball off to them. We're excited about that because no matter what you do offensively, you've got to run the ball to have success."

None of the running backs is a newcomer, so it's been a transition for all the returners to learn the new system.

"The biggest difference is, man, you've got to know the wide receiver routes," McFerren said. "We're playing more as wideouts now. We're going to run the ball, but we're going to have to catch the ball as well, so all our running backs are going to have to play together and use our hands and catch the ball. Anything that's coming our way, we've got to catch it."

McFerren and Jackson each had a 20-yard touchdown reception during the Redhawks' first scrimmage of fall camp Tuesday.

"They're used to being two backs in the backfield and running predominantly downhill," Poteete said. "We're trying to spread the field out a little bit more, create a little bit more space for them -- get some defenders out of the box because the more people we put in, the more people the defense will put in, so we're trying to widen it out and just make the defense not key in on that. Then when you talk about running backs, our three quarterbacks run the ball really well, so that's a dimension that we're going to try to take advantage of is making sure the defense has to account for their running ability as well."

The running backs are comfortable with the new system now that they've had months to soak it all in.

Southeast running back Lennies McFerren runs a practice drill, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at Houck Stadium. (Laura Simon)

"In spring it was all [over the place], trying to get to know the new stuff," Jackson said, "but now since we've got it down and the coaches have explained it way better, it's coming way easier to all the running backs."

The progress has been evident to Poteete, too.

"The terminology's not new to them anymore," Poteete said. "They're flying around, they're moving. They're not thinking where they should go, they know what's happening, and I think that showed up today when we got our first live situation."

The offense will continue to be tweaked throughout fall camp to fit Southeast's personnel.

"Well right now, hey, we're just trying to get guys -- our best guys -- find out which are our five best play-makers and then we find those formations that we need to be in," Poteete said. "You know, whether it's a tight end, whether it's three or four running backs, if it's four or five receivers, we're still trying to feel that out right now.

"We just finished our fifth day, but it's great coming out here and seeing our guys compete. Offensively we kind of finished the practice well, but our defense has played well, so it's kind of a roller coaster right now for us. But we're going to try to get our best athletes the ball in space and that doesn't matter if that's in the running game or the passing game or what position that they are."

The Redhawks continue fall camp with practice from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.

"We're looking really good at the running back position," Poteete said. "I can't wait to coach these guys on Saturdays, and I'm just sitting back trying to divvy up how many balls I can give each guy."