Murray wins fullback job
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
October 21, 2009
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| Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo tabbed junior Vince Murray to start at fullback on Saturday against Wake Forest. (Getty Images) |
Strong work in Texas earns junior a start
It took Vince Murray three seasons to get his first carry in the Navy backfield. But the Midshipmen fullback is making the most of his long-awaited opportunity. Subbing for injured Alexander Teich during the Mids' Texas two-step, Murray carried 34 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns in wins over Rice and SMU to earn the starting job.
"Vince has been playing well," said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. "Normally a guy doesn't lose his position with an injury. But it's hard right now with the chemistry Vince has [provided], to take him out."
Chemistry is key in Navy's triple-option offense, which demands precision and decision-making on the fly. Navy (5-2) struggled to get consistent gains from their fullbacks, Murray included, in their first five games. But the offense ran smoothly in Texas, putting up 936 yards and 101 points against generous defenses.
For Murray, a 6-1, 217-pound junior, and Teich, a 6-0, 212-pound sophomore, the similarities end with their dimensions.
"We have totally different running styles," said Murray. "He's a quicker, faster back than me. I run definitely more downhill. We're a better offense with both of us in there. We can complement each other."
Murray struggled in part-time duty, running 41 times for 145 yards (3.5 yards per carry) in Navy's first five games. But with more rushes the last two weeks he has averaged 6 yards per run. Teich has carried 51 times for 230 yards (4.5 yards per carry).
"It's just kind of fallen in place," said Murray of his recent success. "It's not so much surprising, I came here to play fullback for Navy. It's been my goal."
Murray has another goal at the academy. He wants to fly jets. His father, a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines flew A-7s and F-18s in the Navy.
"That was a big part of my decision to come to the academy," said Murray, a three-sport standout at Ryle High (Ky.) in the suburbs of Cincinnati. "I wanted to fly. I grew up watching Army-Navy games on TV."
Thanks to his desire to fly, Murray has the Navy offense well grounded. He rushed for 141 yards on 25 carries Saturday at SMU. His total included a 52-yard sprint, the longest run by a Navy player this season. His success between the tackles helped create opportunities for slotbacks Marcus Curry (4 carries, 72 yards) and Gee Gee Greene (2 carries, 33 yards).
"You've got to play the whole field, in between the tackles, outside the tackle, and outside on the perimeter," said Niumatalolo. "We definitely need to get that going for us to be an option team."
