Texas Tech University Athletics
Running Backs Record Double Hat Trick
October 21, 2004 | Football
Oct. 21, 2004
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations
Texas Tech running backs Johnnie Mack and Taurean Henderson continue to pose a daunting challenge for rival defenses. The twosome led the Red Raider offense last Saturday with three touchdowns a piece and continue to climb the school record charts.
?gWhat they bring obviously is speed, the ability to make people miss, and have the defense account for them in ways that traditional running backs aren?ft accounted for,,? catching passes downfield, running wheel routes, being able to run the ball,?h said running back coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
?gThe biggest thing with them is they?fre part offensive lineman, part receiver, part running back, so it?fs probably the most complicated position to play in our offense because they have to be everything,?h he added.
Their job title may seem complicated, but Mack and Henderson have no problem multi-tasking on the field.
?gThat?fs what we came to this system for, the Mike Leach system. I always wanted to be a running back and also a receiver. I always want to be around the ball, be involved in the play. That?fs what people look for these days. A running back that can run the ball, also that can catch and also that can block. That?fs the Mike Leach offense, being able to catch and run and do different things to help the team win,?h said Mack.
Mack has shown his ability to do all of those things this season. The 5?f7, 175 pound senior has totaled 95 yards rushing and 131 yards receiving for seven touchdowns. He also ranks ninth in Big 12 kick returns with 17.8 yards per return. His three touchdowns last Saturday helped ignite Texas Tech?fs 70-10 win over Nebraska.
?gTaurean and me, we?fre playmakers. We work hard all week. We don?ft get too many opportunities at running back to carry the ball, so whenever we get a chance to get the ball in our hands,,? pass or run,,? we try to take advantage of that. Our main goal is every time we get the ball, take it to the house, try to score,?h he added.
The Red Raiders continue to come out hot after the half. Mack added his first touchdown of the game on a six-yard pass from quarterback Sonny Cumbie with 4:16 remaining in the third quarter.
?gWhen I come out at the second half it?fs like starting over from scratch. It?fs a whole other half, start and finish. We just try to keep it going,?h said Mack.
Two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter gave him a total of four this season.
?gThey both are very reliable coming out of the backfield. They?fre a big asset in the passing game when things break down downfield or they don?ft look good downfield, I know they?fll always be open and I can flip it off to them and turn it into a lot of yards like they did last week,?h said Cumbie.
Henderson?fs three-yard touchdown run with 10:35 remaining in the second quarter put the Red Raiders up 13-0. He added a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, as well as a six-yard end zone reception with 7:14 remaining in the game for a total of three on the night.
Henderson displayed his agility and speed on a 24-yard weave during a third quarter 1:23 drive resulting in a Bristol Olomua touchdown. Running back coach Bill Bedenbaugh claims the greatest part of the run was overlooked by the average spectator.
?gThe best thing about that run was how he cut it back, and that?fs something he may not have done in the past. In the open field everyone knows what he can do, and that?fs not coaching, that?fs him doing it. Getting him to where he can get to that seam and then get in the open field is the most impressive thing in my mind,?h he said.
Henderson emphasizes that the offense operates as a unit, and each player has a key role in every play.
?gI have to give it up to my offensive line. They?fre the ones that open the hole up, start it up for me. They?fre making it easier on the running backs to help us see the hole,?h he added.
The miscommunication that occurred on the line earlier in the season has been corrected and the veterans are up to true form, opening up holes and protecting the pocket.
?gThe offensive line always does a great job of holding their blocks. They?fve been working harder this week because Nebraska was supposed to blitz,?h said Henderson.
The lack of blitzes gave the running backs more room to light up the red zone.
?gWe had planned for it. It?fs a lot of stress off the running backs because we?fre the ones that have to pick up the blitz and when they did that it allowed us to get open on the flats. ?eJ-Mack?f was able to catch the ball on the flats a couple times and make some good yards receiving,?h added Henderson.
Henderson leads the Red Raiders?f ground game this season, netting 431 yards on 81 carries with eight touchdowns. His 70-yard game-winning touchdown run at Kansas was the longest of his career. The 5?f10, 205 pound junior is ranked 12th in conference rushing, averaging 71.8 yards per game. His six games have netted 431 yards on the ground, including eight touchdowns.
Henderson has also logged 31 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown, giving him a total of nine touchdowns on the season. He is one of only four players in school history to record 200 career receptions and ranks third with 207 behind Wes Welker (259) and Carlos Francis (216).
Coach Bedenbaugh has been working with the running backs for the last few seasons and claims both Henderson and Mack have made great strides in improvement. Both have spent countless hours studying the art of reading the blitz and having the patience to wait for plays to progress.
?gUnderstanding how the offensive line works and understanding protections. Being able to hit the holes fast, understanding the blocking schemes, what different techniques the defensive line and linebackers play. Those are the two biggest areas that they?fve progressed in,?h he said.
?gSince they got here, Johnnie Mack and Taurean have gotten so much better at picking up blitzes and blocking. That?fs been huge in our offense as much as we get blitzed,?h said Cumbie.
Both players view the Redskins?f Clinton Portis as their favorite NFL running back. The 5-11, 205 pound three year veteran had 36 carries for a season-high 171 yards and an 11-yard reception to lead Washington past the Chicago Bears 13-0 on Sunday.
?gThe guy has tremendous speed and has the heart of a lion, always fighting for more yards. He?fs a little guy, small back, very shifty,?h said Henderson.
Henderson and Mack will be busy fighting for yards this Saturday as the Red Raiders host the Texas Longhorns.
?gThey have a great defense, they?fre fast and they probably have one of the best linebackers in the country, Derrick Johnson. We?fve been playing UT pretty good for the last two years. We just need to take it one step farther, keep working hard in practice, looking at film and we should be prepared to win this game,?h said Mack.
One thing is for sure, Henderson and Mack are ready to exploit any daylight they see on Saturday. Go Raiders!
