Redshirt freshman emerging from crowded Ohio backfield
By Garrett Downing
October 2, 2008
Entering the season, the Ohio football team knew the running attack would look much different than it had the past several years. No more Kalvin McRae meant the Bobcats needed to fill the void left by the departure of the team’s career rushing leader and biggest offensive threat.
The Bobcats initially went with a backfield by committee, but in Saturday’s 51-31 win over VMI, redshirt freshman Donte Harden started to separate himself as the team’s top running back.
Harden rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first Bobcat to eclipse the 100-yard mark this season.
“He wants the ball,” Ohio Offensive Coordinator Tim Albin said. “He’s got a toughness about him.”
Harden had just five carries last year, and he missed most of the season with a shoulder injury.
To start this season, Harden entered the year in competition for the starting job with Chris Garrett, Vince Davidson and L.J. Flintall.
Garrett and Davidson impressed the coaches in spring ball, and many expected them to get most of the carries this year. But a turf-toe injury has slowed Davidson, and Garrett missed last week with an ankle injury.
With an opportunity Saturday to take control of the job, Harden played his best game as a Bobcat.
“I want a guy to take it over,” Albin said, “and Donte had a nice game Saturday.”
Although Harden had limited experience coming into the season, the coaches have liked his potential since he first arrived on campus. Prior to his shoulder injury, the coaches had planned to use him as a backup last season, Albin said.
After a year of rehabbing the shoulder, the injury or fear of reinjuring it has not slowed Harden. “You have it; you deal with it,” Harden said. “It’s gone and you don’t think about it again.”
Harden does not have great size (5-11, 181 pounds), but he has good speed and finds ways to break tackles. Coaches like his running style and the way he follows his blockers to find open running lanes.
“It’s like he’s got grease on his jersey; he’s a very elusive guy,” Albin said. “I’m not surprised at all by his production.”
Even with Harden leading the backs through five games, the coaches have not yet ended the competition between the four players.
Garrett and Harden shared carries in the first four games, and Garrett has breakout speed when he gets in open space. Garrett is expected to play this week, and Davidson is also returning from the turf-toe injury, and the coaches think Davidson could make a case for more carries once he returns to full strength.
Flintall has been used sparingly in the backfield, but has shown his explosiveness on kick returns, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against VMI.
“I feel like the competition with the backs helped bring out the competitiveness in each one of us,” Harden said.
With Ohio heading into league play, Albin said he expects to use the running game a little more than the ’Cats have so far.
The offense will feature a more balanced attack, and two players will likely handle most of the work at running back, Albin said.
And if Harden has more games like last week, he probably will find himself with plenty more carries.
“We are all good running backs, and it leaves you with no choice but to come out on the field and give 110 percent,” he said.
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