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Sports TwitterRedHawks have solid tailback choices
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
OXFORD — Sophomore Thomas Merriweather will start at tailback for the Miami RedHawks in their season opener Thursday, Aug. 28, against Vanderbilt.
But it doesn't make much difference whether Merriweather or junior Andre Bratton is in the backfield for the opening drive, head coach Shane Montgomery said.
"I think you're going to see both Thomas and Andre out there," he said. "Those are the top two guys and I don't think it really matters who starts.
"Andre will have to get reps," Montgomery said. "He gives us a dimension we didn't have last year, the ability to cut, to break a big run."
Bratton became the starter last season after Brandon Murphy was injured, but Bratton injured his ankle and missed most of the season. He carried only 17 times for 72 yards.
Montgomery said he is "trying to be smart with Bratton by not over-using him" during practice.
Merriweather saw considerable action over the final four games, rushing for 143 yards and four touchdowns.
Montgomery said there is a fine line between playing both Merriweather and Bratton too much and too little.
"We'll try to leave them in long enough so that they can get a rhythm going," he said, "but we'll also try to keep them as fresh as we can."
The Miami coach said he also will use a third running back, which probably would be sophomore Jamel Miller or true freshman Danny Green.
"We'll have to give them some reps to keep the other two guys fresh," Montgomery explained.
Stephens to start
Sophomore Brandon Stephens has received the starting assignment at cornerback ahead of junior Wendell Brunson.
Stephens has been more consistent, Montgomery said, and has practiced more than Brunson, who is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery in June.
Another player in the mix is red-shirt freshman Cornelius Ward.
"He's a bigger corner," Montgomery said. "He doesn't have experience, but we feel he may have as much upside as any of those guys."
Center looking strong
Montgomery said he has been encouraged by the play of senior Josh Satterthwait, who is making the transition from right guard to center.
"We moved him in the spring, so he's had a lot of experience with the quarterbacks," the Miami coach said. "He's very confident in his snapping ability."
