Aggies prepare for life after ‘Three-Headed Monster’
When a team loses two potential NFL running backs, the composition of the offense is bound to change somewhat. Such is the case for the Utah State football team.
Between Michael Smith and Robert Turbin – two of the three running backs named as part of the group called “The Three-Headed Monster” – the two running backs combined for 2,423 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“I feel like the biggest thing was leadership,” senior running back Kerwynn Williams said. “That’s probably the biggest thing with those two. That and they made a lot of plays. They brought a lot a veteran knowledge to the room in seeing the people normally wouldn’t see. I felt like they did a good job helping the younger backs when we went it to spell them.”
Williams – the third member of the, “The Three-Headed Monster” – made several plays himself during his junior year, but most of his yards were on punt and kick returns. The Las Vegas native amassed 915 return yards and 542 rushing yards to go with three touchdowns.
“He’s been in this program for three years and in a lot of system going on his fourth season,” USU offensive coordinator Matt Wells said. “We do draw on his experience, we draw on his leadership and we draw on his performance. It’s been excellent here in the three years from special teams to running back. I think he’s got a chance to be one of the better running backs in this league.”
The first-year offensive coordinator is also looking for someone to step up and show consistency in Spring football. One running back who has made his presence felt is sophomore Joe Hill.
“Right now, Joe Hill is standing out daily,” Wells said. “He had an excellent scrimmage. He’s still got some stuff that I think you can get away with in high school that he still does that are habits we are breaking. But I think he’s done a nice job in catching the football in the backfield and he’s done a nice job running.”
The Fullerton, Calif. native rushed for 25 yards and one touchdown last season. 20 of those yards along with his only touchdown came on a 54-17 blowout win against Weber State.
Two other running backs vying for playing time are redshirt junior Joey Demartino and fellow junior Robert Marshall.
“Joey Demartino didn’t play last year, but he played the year before that and got a lot of playing time in that year,” Williams said. “So, I don’t think that coming in and playing will be a big shock at all for him to come in and get some playing time early. Robert Marshall is going into his third year, so I definitely feel like there is some experience there. He’s not shy to the game at all.”
For Wells, those who show consistency during spring practices will find playing time when the season rolls around.
“Robert Marshall has been there in spurts, but he’s been hurt,” Wells said. “He just needs consistency and do it daily. Joey does some things well and needs to clean up some things. He needs to be more consistent.”
Out of the five other running backs on the roster, freshman Tavarreon Dickerson has caught Wells’ eye.
“Tavarreon Dickerson is just a freshman, and from a mental standpoint he’s really picked up things really quickly,” Wells said. “He’s dynamic out in the open field. He’s fast, he’s elusive. He’s been held out a few days with injuries, but as he comes back, I think we’ll see a little bit more during the next practices what he can bring if he can bring something to the table for this season.”
The Arlington, Texas, native averaged 9.5 yards per carry his senior year at Arlington High School. Dickerson amassed 1,815 yards and 24 touchdowns to go with 11 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman finished his senior year as the all-time leading rusher with 4,400 yards, and holds the all-time rushing touchdown record with 53.
The Aggies will most likely be relying more on the pass game next season.
“I think we will a little bit more,” Wells said. “We don’t have to NFL running backs sitting in the backfield. I know we have one proven one and other guys that are vying for playing time right now. I think it’s up to us to use the guys we have as playmakers better and more efficiently.
At the wide receiver position, the Aggies return two of their top three receivers in seniors Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs. Austin, who is returning for his sixth year, caught 34 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns last season, while Jacobs reeled in 20 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the offensive production capability of Austin, his physicality in making blocks downfield sets him apart from other wide receivers.
“Our receivers do a great job of going downfield cutting and making plays on the cornerbacks,” Williams said. “They an amazing job. Matt Austin is one of the most physical wide receivers I’ve ever seen. He gets downfield and gets at it at the cornerbacks and safeties. Our other receivers are coached hard to get down and make plays on the cornerbacks. They block well downfield. I don’t see any receivers blocking better than our receivers do.”
Austin said he has been a physical receiver for most of his collegiate career.
“I just watched some junior college film a couple days ago and I didn’t realize how physical I was at that time,” he said. “Now I realize it, and, when I’m in the game, I’m just a different person. I’m just an animal, and I want to hit guys. It’s a different game, because, when I’m hitting cornerbacks, the next play when I’m going out for a pass, they might think I’m trying to hit them. It helps out in a lot of ways.”
Austin made several game-winning catches last season and looks to be a leader.
“First, I feel like I bring a little bit of leadership leading by example on and off the field,” he said. “Other than that, I feel like I bring one of the big weapons back to the squad. I’m happy to be back. It’s a blessing, and I’m ready to get back to work.”
Wells is also grateful to have Austin back for a sixth year.
“We’re all happy with his extra year of eligibility,” Welss said. “He’s a leader for us, he’s got a great work ethic, he blocks his tail off, and he catches everything in his zip code.”
Jacobs has moved to the slot receiver position – the same position now-departed senior Stanley Morisson played last season.
“It’s been an excellent move for us,” Wells said. “He’s a very good blocker and it’ll allow us to get him the ball inside on the seams more.”
Austin expects Jacobs will have a positive effect in the slot position.
“He brings speed to the game and speed kills – that’s one thing he has,” he said. “Moving him to the slot is just like another Stanley (Morrison). He can open up the field and stretch it and catch some deep balls. He’s a deep threat and he’s one of those DeSean Jackson guys out there.”
Aside from Jacobs and Austin, no other receivers have stepped, up as of
yet.
“We’ve just got some injured guys and some young guys with not a whole lot of experience that are getting reps in this spring,” Wells said. “And it’s time for a lot of those guys to start improving a lot more consistent, heading into the summer.”
Although no one has stepped up, yet, Austin sees potential in the young and inexperienced wide receiver group.
“There are a lot of weapons,” he said. “There are a lot of guys stepping up that were on the scout team going against the ones last year. Brandon Swindall, Travis Reynolds and Cam Webb are all going to bring something to the table when the time comes. They are ready to catch some balls this year.”
– ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu