Fullbacks play vital role for Hoosiers

Fullbacks are often the players on a football team who are suppose to do the dirty work. Whether it's clearing the way for the tailback or throwing a block to protect a quarterback, fullbacks often do things that don't find their way onto the stat sheet.\nBut in IU's offensive system, the fullback is known to be more than a blocker. And IU's opening game Saturday against North Carolina State proved that the fullback will be an integral part of IU's offense this season.\n"There's probably a handful of schools, that can legitimately recruit a fullback and tell him, 'You're going to get the football,'" said coach Cam Cameron said. "Most people are running a one-back or an offense where the fullback is strictly a blocker. Our fullback has to be able to block, he has to be able to handle the football, running and ultimately catching the football. Those guys are extremely valuable to us."\nAllowing IU to do more with the position is the fact it has two capable fullbacks, senior De'Wayne Hogan and sophomore Jeremi Johnson.\nHogan and Johnson were involved in more than a blocking capacity in IU's 41-38 loss to NC State. Hogan carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards, while Johnson carried the ball three times for 21 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards. Each player rushed for a touchdown in the defeat.\n"We were practicing all week and all camp to get the fullbacks the ball more," Hogan said. "I kind of knew I was going to get a chance of to show what I can do."\nThe primary difference between Hogan and Johnson is size. The 6-foot, 230-pound Hogan is the normal size for a college football fullback and arrived at IU as a tailback. His 10-yard touchdown scamper up the middle in the first quarter against NC State proved that Hogan can find and run through an open hole like a tailback. \n"De'Wayne was first a tailback when he first came here, and he's made a nice adjustment to fullback," Cameron said.\nJohnson although an inch shorter than Hogan, he weighs 40 pounds more. Johnson's size makes him an imposing presence on runs or blocks. He demonstrated his power when he dragged three NC State tacklers with him on his four-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. \nWhile Hogan and Johnson had their moments carrying the football Saturday, they also did a solid job of handling their blocking responsibilities. Cameron noted it was Johnson's block that helped junior tailback Williams score on a 36-yard option play at the the end of the first half.\n"The play right before the half, where Levron Williams scores is because Jeremi Johnson does exactly what he's asked to do and creates the initial block and then Levron cuts it back and scores," Cameron said.\nHogan started against NC State and will likely start Saturday at Kentucky. Hogan saw more snaps against the Wolfpack, but Johnson received ample playing time. Both players say they have no problem splitting time with each other.\n"Jeremi is a good fullback," Hogan said. "I have no problem with it. He does a lot of great things and there are things I can help him with and there are things he's helped me with. With us splitting time it gives him time to rest."\nThe more experienced Hogan has offered advice to the younger Johnson.\n"He's helped me a lot," Johnson said. "He told me to push myself every play"