Competition drives backfield trio

Duke's offense last season featured a dynamic passing attack that often overshadowed a running game without a clear No. 1 back.

Now, however, with the return of last season's leading rusher in sophomore Jay Hollingsworth, fifth year-senior Re'quan Boyette's return from injury and highly touted prospect Desmond Scott's arrival at Duke, a trio of backs could claim the spotlight this season.

And with the three backs fighting each other for playing time, the Blue Devils could field one of their deepest backfields in recent memory.

"That many guys competing for the job only makes the program better," Hollingsworth said.

While Boyette is expected to claim the starting position after sitting out all last season with a knee injury, Duke will likely utilize all three backs in a committee similar to last season, when Hollingsworth, senior Clifford Harris and sophomore Tony Jackson-who was recently dismissed from the team for violating team rules-all had more than 75 carries.

Such a rotation fosters competition, making training camp all the more important.

"[The depth chart] is going to be determined by us during camp-how you respond during camp, how you pick up the plays during camp, how you practice, how you condition, all those things are going to be up to the individual at that point in time," Boyette said.

"And it's a competition, but it's a friendly competition because we all know we're really good backs."

Backs favor committee system

The wild-card, then, is Scott, whom both Boyette and Hollingsworth felt might be redshirted before Jackson's dismissal. Now, Scott will, in all likelihood, be expected to take Jackson's place in that backfield rotation and bring the big-play ability that made him a top recruit to the Blue Devils.

But, according to Boyette, Scott has the attitude and work ethic in place to step in and make a difference.

"[Scott] wants it; he doesn't want it to be given to him. He's very eager to get in, and I really like that about him," Boyette said.

With two veterans and a highly skilled freshman, the backs expect Duke's running game to be the best it has been in recent memory.

"All great teams have a running game," Hollingsworth said. "With the talent we have in the backfield, and the experience with Re'quan, [the running game] is going to be beneficial to the program."

Throughout the football world, the argument still rages whether it is more efficient to have a clear No. 1 back or several quality backs competing for playing time.

Hollingsworth acknowledged one of the most common arguments against multiple backs-the issue of maintaining continuity and momentum in the backfield.

"At times it could be frustrating, because you felt like maybe you were hot and [your coach] takes you out for a series," he said.

However, both Hollingsworth and Boyette emphasized that they believe system utilizing two or three ball carriers is the most efficient.

"The rotation system does work better," Hollingsworth said. "As far as a three-person rotation, maybe not, but having two clear cut No. 1s on your team, that is definitely a plus. It gives you a two-headed monster and gives the other one a break. You can keep one in that's hot."

And if all three backs can embrace the committee this season and continue to push each other, the Duke backfield could be the impetus behind another step forward for the football program.

"We're just going to have a great season," Boyette said. "[Head coach David Cutcliffe] says winning is an all-the-time thing, and we want to win whether it is on or off the field: In the community or on the field, out in practice, no matter where it is, we want to win."

And if we take that attitude and have the desire to do better than what we did last year, then I think we're going to have a pretty good team."