2017 Preview - The Running Backs

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ST_Lawson
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Time to grind out some ground game...here’s the running backs:

#21 Senior Devon Sanders
#34 Junior Steve McShane
#41 Junior Joe Turk
#36 Sophomore Max Norris
#9 Redshirt Freshman Victavious Johnson
#16 Redshirt Freshman Clint Ratkovich
#31 Redshirt Freshman Josh Franke
Freshman James Bailey, Jr.
Freshman Isaiah Cherrier

Seniors
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Juniors
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Sophomores
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Redshirt Freshmen
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Freshmen
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Here’s the stats from last year for the guys who are returning this year:
Steve McShane - 11 games, 917 yards, 5.0 ypc, 83.36 ypg, 8 TDs rushing. Also 234 yards (10.17 per catch, 21.27 per game) and 1 TD receiving.
Joe Turk (a TE last year) - 11 games, 31 yards (5.17 ypc), 1 TD

Players who are not returning, and their stats from last year:
Jamie Gilmore - 157 yards (2.8 ypc, 15.7 ypg), 5 TDs
Devon Moore - 148 yards (3.7 ypc, 14.8 ypg), 2 TDs

Similar to the QB situation, our “big guy” from last year is returning again this year, so we’ll likely see a lot of running out of Steve McShane. Joe Turk transferred here as a TE from Central Florida, but has apparently switched to RB. Max Norris played in two games last year, but didn’t get any time holding the ball. Norris did do a lot of impressing during spring practices, so I think this could be a real “breakout” year for him. Might not quite get to McShane’s level yet, but could be a solid #2 back. I’m also interested to see highly-regarded Vic Johnson now that he can get on the field. Everything I’ve heard about him “sounds” impressive...but you never really know until you get the guys on the field. McShane did a decent bit of catching the ball last season, and with Turk (former TE) and Clint Ratkovich (HS QB/RB/WR/Wildcat back), we’ll probably see even more short passes to that crew than we did last year.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8254
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
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Hero Sports names Steve McShane the conference's top returning RB: http://herosports.com/fcs-football/top- ... rence-bzbz
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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