University of Maryland senior running back Josh Allen wants to see his fellow backs succeed, but he also wants personally to make up for the time he lost last season while recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.
“It felt real good getting back out there,” said Allen, who had six carries for 25 yards in the Terps? 27-14 win over William & Mary Saturday. “I felt confident, had a good time. It?s a starting point, and I look forward to building on that throughout the year.”
It was also a starting point for the offense in general. Allen watched as junior Keon Lattimore carried the ball 13 times for 89 yards and a touchdown, and junior Lance Ball rushed 15 times for 86 yards and two scores.
Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen, however, doesn?t see the crowded backfield as a problem.
“It?s a nice dilemma to have,” he said. “We have four good running backs. So unless they give me more footballs, it?s going to be tough.”
That group will enable the sixth-year head coach to keep each of them fresh ? particularly Allen, who is still not quite back to where he was prior to tearing three knee ligaments.
“Hopefully, I can work into the system more,” Allen said. “I wasn?t disappointed with [Saturday?s game]. Right now, my body is still getting into football shape.”
Staying fresh is something that appeals to all the Terps? running backs. Lattimore missed spring practice while rehabbing his shoulder, and there is lingering concern about Allen?s ability to recapture his 4.49-second speed in the 40-yard dash.
“I don?t know if he?ll ever be what he was,” Friedgen said, “but he?s still pretty good.”
Friedgen saw improvement from Lattimore, an interesting local talent from Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore.
“I really think he has a chance to be very, very good,” said Friedgen, who still wants Lattimore to run less horizontally and more vertically. “I look at all of them as starters. We?re going to need all of them before it?s all over.”
TERPS ON THE RUN
» Allen (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) played prep football at Eleanor Roosevelt in Prince George?s County and enters the season sixth on Maryland?s all-time rushing touchdown list.
» Ball (5-foot-9, 216 pounds) is a native of New Jersey and led the Terps with 903 yards in 2005.
» Lattimore (5-foot-11, 225 pounds) is the brother of Ravens? linebacker Ray Lewis.
