Trio of IU running backs compete for starting nod

The IU football team opens its 2004 season in four days. But as of now, the starting running back job is still up for grabs. Juniors Chris Taylor and Yamar Washington, along with sophomore BenJarvus Green-Ellis are all competing for one job, unlike last year, when the Hoosiers relied on a committee approach to the running game.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said having a primary running back will help establish a flow that was absent last year. \n"We have three guys right now who will split the number of carries in practice," DiNardo said in a statement. "But we want one running back this season, not running back by committee. We will find one player who will run a majority of the plays until he is tired."\nWhile seniority may have some effect on DiNardo's choice, the early favorite leans toward Green-Ellis, who ran for 938 yards last season as a freshman. He averaged 98 yards per game in Big Ten games and had the most rushing yards as a freshman since Alex Smith ran for 1,475 yards in 1994. \nDespite Green-Ellis's breakout year, Washington is returning after rushing for 688 yards in 2002. He missed the entire 2003 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament before the annual Cream and Crimson spring game. After starting nine games during his sophomore campaign, Washington figures into the mix because of his experience on the field.\nTaylor can't be counted out either. He had only three starts last season, but was especially helpful in short-yardage situations. He amassed three touchdowns last season, all of which were from inside the 3-yard line. He was second among backs in both rushing and receiving yards as well.\nTaylor knows the competition is tough, but understands a situation such as this is not necessarily a problem.\n"We all have what it takes to succeed," Taylor said. "I think it's great that we have so many guys that have that ability. Each practice, we all push each other and in the end, we will all be better because of that competition." \nIf all else fails and someone becomes injured, freshman Kenni Burns has the potential to see time in the offense. Burns is one of the fastest players on the team, and ran for nearly 2,500 yards in his senior season of high school. Even if Burns does not see much action, he is regarded by many as one of IU's most promising athletes and possibly the future at running back. \nThe amount of talented running backs also allows the Hoosiers to practice with more efficiency, a needed change from years past. All of the backs can split time in practice with the first team, and can help the second team improve by working with future first-team backs.\nSenior offensive lineman Chris Jahnke tries not to let the decision process influence his performance in practice.\n"You can't let that affect you," Jahnke said. "All the backs run hard and hit the hole extremely well. Each guy is definitely talented, but as a lineman, it shouldn't matter to us who is back there. That is not our concern."\nThe Hoosiers' passing game suffered from the inconsistency of the running game last season, averaging only 166 yards per game. The team also averaged only 321.8 yards of total offense -- their lowest total since 1997. Senior wide receiver Patrick Thompson said a strong running game can help improve the passing game as well.\n"I think it is a big asset that we have so many running backs," Thompson said. "I think we will be more explosive, and the receivers will get more of an opportunity to get the ball."\nJunior offensive lineman Isaac Sowells said the opening day starter won't matter when it comes down to playing as a team.\n"I think we have all the confidence in the world in whoever is back there," Sowells said. "Each back is different. They have their own personal attributes, but our job is still to get off the ball and block, regardless of who is back there."\n-- Contact staff writer David Paulen at dpaulen@indiana.edu.