By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012 ):
Tempo. It’s a word on that’s been on repeat inside hash marks and pylons at CEFCU Stadium over the past few weeks.
Running backs coach Alonzo Carter will be banking with experience come week one.
“Brandon Monroe, Malike Roberson, and Zamore Zigler. They’re the leaders, ” Carter said.
Monroe, who has seen time at fullback and on special teams, missed all but one contest in 2016 due to a concussion is only looking forward.
“We have a really good running back core, we got a lot of backs that can run the ball this year, especially with the new guys coming in,” Monroe said.
It will be Zigler and Roberson collecting most of the carries together once South Florida comes to town.
The pair share some similarities. They’re both built the same and have the ability to help in the passing game.
Now, about the whole “tempo” thing. The Spartans won’t be running a 100 plays per game, nor a play every 20 seconds. They are too young of a team for that.
They aren’t a Big-12 powerhouse, but the goal stays the same: To snap the ball with the defense off-guard.
Whether that means no-huddle, high pace, or just a D-linemen taking his sweet time getting off the field, the Spartans plan to figure out a clever way to take advantage.
An up-tempo offense doesn’t leave room for error, and Zigler feels he’s got the right partner to share the spotlight with.
“Me and Malike, we know the offense very well,” Zigler said. “It don’t matter who starts. We’re just going to have the offense going up, fast, in, and out.”
Zigler, Roberson, and Monroe only make up half the running back core. The other three are still getting their feet wet and are competing with one another for that fourth slot.
Jamar Williams who redshirted last season and had an impressive spring game can provide another dimension up coach Carter’s sleeve, as he’s the biggest back on the running back roster.
Freshmen Tyler Nevens and Jerrell Alberty both are still getting familiar with the city just as much as they are the team, but coach Carter believes it’s only a matter of time before they catch up to speed.
“They are learning fast,” Carter said. “Everyday you see them getting used to the speed of it.”
Nevens admits it’s a work in progress, saying it’s nothing like high school, but is confident he’ll be fine in time.
“I haven’t adjusted yet,” he said. “I think before the season, I’ll get it down.”
Just 16 days remain before the home opener against South Florida.
