Time for everyone to step right up
With McCrae out, other running backs expected to deliver
UCF running backs are confident they won’t miss a beat with starter Greg McCrae sidelined for the Knights’ game at Temple on Saturday.
“We’ve got to prepare like we normally do,” junior Otis Anderson said of facing the Owls without the Knights’ leading rusher. “Everybody prepares the same, no matter who’s starting, no matter who’s hurt and no matter who’s playing.”
UCF coach Josh Heupel ruled McCrae out for Saturday’s American Athletic Conference showdown after the junior suffered an apparent knee injury late in the first quarter of the team’s win over East Carolina on Saturday. McCrae left the game and returned to the sidelines wearing a knee brace on his right leg.
Senior Adrian Killins tweaked his ankle against the Pirates, leaving Anderson and redshirt sophomore Bentavious Thompson to handle most rushing duties.
Anderson finished with a game-high 80 yards rushing, while Thompson added 51 yards,
including a 32-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Knights finished the game with 197 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
“It speaks to the depth that we have; we have a lot of talent,” Anderson said. “The running backs that we have, even Trillion [Coles], we have players that could go to another school and be a valuable piece to their offense. The fact that we jell together so well and that we play off each other and feed off each other, and that speaks a lot to what we can do.”
Anderson, who also splits time at receiver and kick returner, didn’t anticipate carrying the ball a career-high 18 times against the Pirates, but he credits his rigorous preparation for his ability to handle the increased workload.
“Most of the time, I can’t really tell because I rep both positions so much, but I’m glad that I do that in practice,” he added. “I’m glad I put myself through a lot to be able to withstand what I have to be able to do.”
Anderson is second on the team in all-purpose yards behind receiver Gabe Davis with 643 total yards, including 308 yards rushing. He’s fourth among running backs behind McCrae (401 yards), Killins (335) and Thompson (315).
Thompson’s ability to handle a heavier workload against ECU impressed Heupel.
“He’s has gotten some opportunities at running back, typically at the end of ball games, but stepped in and played really well,” Heupel said. “[He] did a great job in [pass] protection. He executed well all night long. Took care of the football. A guy everybody inside our program trusts being there in the backfield.”
Anderson offered his own assessment of Thompson, adding, “He’s a complete back. He can catch, he can run between the tackles and outside zones and he can pass-block. I think he’s started to take to himself personally to be able to become a better back and to be able to contribute better.”
UCF (5-2, 2-1 AAC) could get Killins back for the Temple (5-2, 2-1 AAC) game Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will air on ESPN2.
“A.K. practiced today, and he looked about 100%. I forgot that he even had a nick or injury,” Anderson said of Killins.
While UCF didn’t provide specific information about McCrae’s injury or a detailed update on other players who were hurt against East Carolina, Anderson said McCrae is doing well.
“Greg’s fine. He’s been in meetings; he’s been with us watching the film, and he’s been getting a lot of treatment. I’m glad that Greg is taking things as he should,” he said. “As I said, he won’t be out for too long. He’ll be back soon.”