By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
Of course they want the ball — as early and often as possible. Everyone understands that, especially William & Mary offensive coordinator
Christian Taylor.
But what's an OC to do when he has three running backs who are capable of rushing for 100 yards on any given Saturday? How do you keep each happy when it means none of them will get 20-plus touches like the traditional featured back?
He gets them to buy into the system, of course. A system that emphasizes having a fresh back on the field at all times, keeping the defense on its heels, and above all mutual support. Oh, and winning games.
Bronson Yoder,
Malachi Imoh and
Donavyn Lester are proving that with everyone on the same page, such an approach can work. Together, they have combined for 1,764 of the Tribe's 2,399 rushing yards this season, which ranks third nationally in the Championship Subdivision.
"They're great people and very unselfish," Taylor said. "They want to see the team succeed and make history here by winning a national title. They understand they can't carry the ball 25 times a week and maintain their health the whole season.
"If they're able to balance out their carries, every time they're touching the ball, it's full-speed reps. They're reaching their max potential every time they have the ball in their hands."
Yoder has been the busiest by averaging 15.8 carries per game followed by Lester at 9.3 and Imoh at 8.9. Each is averaging at least 5.9 yards an attempt and has at least six rushing touchdowns.
And each is sacrificing better individual numbers for the greater good, which in this case happens to be an 8-1 record and No. 8 national ranking.
That's been the team's philosophy since preseason camp. It was reiterated two weeks ago when former Tribe running back and New England Patriots assistant coach Ivan Fears '77 talked with the team prior to its game against Rhode Island.
"He spoke about how when the Patriots were really good, it was about playing for the team and not an individual," Tribe coach
Mike London said. "That message permeated throughout our team even at the beginning of the year.
"Then we have a guy like Ivan, with the pedigree he has, talking about the ingredients that made the Patriots great. That resonated with our guys. Our guys want to win and they also want to encourage each other as well."
After all, a team game is no place for selfishness.
"There's only one football," Lester said. "The running backs want the ball, the receivers want the ball, so we're all accepting of whatever is best for that game and whoever is having a good day or off day.
"We're going to do whatever it takes to win the game. Winning the game outweighs having to split the carries."
Yoder, who came to W&M in 2019 as a safety, leads the team and is 16
th nationally with 104.9 yards per game. He's one of two backs in the FCS who is averaging at least 100 rushing yards on fewer than 16 carries.
According to Pro Football Focus, 538 of Yoder's 839 rushing yards (64%) have come after contact. That comes as no surprise.
"I've never seen anyone break tackles and stay on his feet the way he does," Imoh said. "It's absolutely insane. It's always multiple people trying to gang tackle him. He gets out of the craziest situations with his spin move and he loves to hurdle people."
Imoh is next (and 44
th nationally) at 74.4 yards a game, and his per-carry average of 8.4 yards would be second in the FCS if he had enough attempts to qualify. He's rushed for at least 93 yards in each of his last three games, in none of which he had more than 10 carries.
Imoh on the very short list for the team's fastest player, but at 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, he's stronger than many suspect. Last week against Hampton, he broke three tackles (the final two simultaneously) on a 49-yard touchdown run that put W&M ahead for good.
"When I hear Malachi's name, I hear explosive and fast," Lester said. "He can make a play at any given time. His vision and speed are his best traits. If you don't have good angles to tackle Malachi, he's gone."
Lester, who at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds is the biggest of the three, is averaging 55 yards a game. He's coming off a season-high 80 yards on 10 carries at Hampton.
"That man runs like a freight train," Yoder said. "He's insanely smart and just crazy strong, and he runs that way. And when it comes to pass protection and reads, he's probably the smartest back we have in the room."
The depth has been needed.
Yoder and Imoh each have missed a game to injury this season, and Lester has missed two. At Lafayette in week three, both Imoh and Lester were out. So the coaching staff called on
Martin Lucas, who at 6-2 and 235 pounds is normally used as a blocker, to back up Yoder.
Lucas' career rushing totals at that point were 10 carries for 16 yards. But when opportunity knocked, he ran for 91 yards on 13 attempts.
"I know he wants more carries, but he's done a great job doing a lot of things for the offense," Taylor said. "He can do a lot of blocking for us and we have no issue handing him the ball."
The Tribe has rushed for at least 300 yards four times this season, including the last three games. If its current average of 266.6 yards a game holds, it would break the program record. So would its current average of 5.9 yards a carry.
Of course, none of that would be possible without what was an XXL question mark in the preseason.
The offensive line had lost three starters from last season, which was bad enough. Then came a season-ending injury to
Marcus Crowell, who has 11 career starts and can play guard or tackle, in August.
Yet the rebuilt line has become a strength. Tackles
Charles Grant and
Colby Sorsdal, guards
Bart Francois and
Rian Haigler and center
Ryan McKenna have started every game this season.
"They don't get talked about enough for what they do," Yoder said. "They've been the propeller of our running game."
Taylor contends that if a run goes longer than five yards, it usually involves a key block on the perimeter. That not only means tight ends
Lachlan Pitts and
Colton Turner but the wide receivers
Caylin Newton,
DreSean Kendrick,
JT Mayo and
Tyler Rose.
"You don't average over five yards a carry just from good play by your running backs," Imoh said "It takes all 11 guys on offense."
