MOBILE, Ala. - The quarterbacks are getting most of the attention leading into the GMAC Bowl, but both head coaches said the running backs are the key to their team during Monday's press conference.
"It's the single most important thing for us this year in developing our offense," the University of Tulsa coach Todd Graham said.
Ball State University quarterback Nate Davis and Tulsa quarterback David Johnson both finished in the top seven in passing efficiency this season. The two combined for more than 7,700 of total offense and 77 touchdowns this season.
Fans tend to look at them as the players that make the offenses move, but both coaches said they like to establish the run early in order to open the passing lanes.
"People look at us and classify us as a spread offense, but we really are not," Graham said. "We like to run the ball first and then play action pass."
Tulsa averaged 254.8 rushing yards per game ranking them seventh in the nation, ahead of teams like No. 13 Oklahoma State University and the No. 1 University of Florida. Running back Tarrion Adams is the main threat out of the backfield for Tulsa. He has rushed for 1,316 yards on 5.8 yards per carry and has scored 11 touchdowns.
For Ball State, MiQuale Lewis handles the majority of the rushing duties. He's third in the country with 1,701 yards on 306 carries and is tied for the nation lead with 22 touchdowns.
"He's a little peanut height-wise, but he's thick and strong. A lot of teams underestimate him," Ball State coach Stan Parrish said.
Parrish credits Lewis with a large part of why the team improved so much from the year before.
"A year ago we didn't have him and we were 7-5," Parrish said. "This year we were 12-0 in the regular season. He's the straw that stirs the drink for us. He's the one that gives us a multidimensional offense."
Tulsa and Ball State run different style of offenses with Ball State running a drop back, pro style system and Tulsa playing with a no huddle, hurry up offense. Still Graham said both offenses are successful for the same reasons.
"I think our offenses are very, very different," he said. "They're a little more under center. We are a no huddle offense. We are a fast paced, try to run 90 plays a game but again the same things that make their offense work make our offense work. We got to be able to run the football and establish the run."
Ball State has come out consistently in its games running the football. With the GMAC Bowl being the first game for Ball State with Parrish as head coach that could change, however, everyone will have to wait until the 8 p.m. game time to find out.
"You know I haven't quite decided," Parrish said with a smirk. "We got to run the ball but how we run it and in what order we run it, we'll find out."
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