.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Tigers Looking To Go The Extra Yard With Their Running Backs
August 30, 2001 | Football
Aug. 30, 2001
In advance of the upcoming football season, www.goprincetontigers.com will take a position-by-position look at the 2001 Tigers. Today, we look at the running backs:
Starters returning: RB Cameron Atkinson
Starters lost: RB Kyle Brandt, FB Marty Cheatham
Other returning lettermen: Andy Bryant, Ismael El-Amin
Look out for: Freshmen Jon Veach and Branden Benson
Did you know? Princeton averaged 146 rushing yards in its wins and 104 rushing yards in its losses.
When was the last time Princeton didn't use some sort of rotation system at tailback?
We'll fill you in on the answer at the bottom. On the other hand, you can take more than a year to figure it out if you want, since it's probably not going to change in 2001. Princeton figures to continue its recent trend of sharing the load in the backfield, in part because of some strong depth at the position. The Tigers return two of their three featured backs of last year, and they add to that mix a sophomore who had a strong spring and two intriguing freshmen.
The fullback position, where Marty Cheatham graduated after being a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection a year ago, is a little more uncertain.
Princeton averaged 123.9 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry a year ago, numbers which are the Tigers would dearly love to improve upon this year. Keep in mind, however, that in college football rushing yards also include yards lost on quarterback sacks, and Princeton lost an average of 21 rushing yards per game on sacks.
The No. 1 tailback is junior Cameron Atkinson, who has been the featured back at various times since early his freshman year. Atkinson ran for a team-best 413 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry a year ago. While he had no 100-yard games last year, he did have 96 against Penn and 94 against Brown. A Heptagonal sprint champion, Atkinson is also a dangerous kick returner.
Ismael El-Amin, another junior, carried 55 times for 211 yards and one touchdown a year ago. After Atkinson and El-Amin is some serious potential, though no actual game experience. Sophomore Aaron Ellerbee was perhaps the most improved Tiger in the spring, and he and two freshmen, Jon Veach and Branden Benson, will be pushing for playing time. They probably will not all see significant carries, but the load does figure to be spread around.
The fullback question is unsettled. Cheatham carried 15 times for 49 yards a year ago, but his real contribution came in the form of his 38 receptions for 514 yards and two touchdowns.
The leading candidate to replace him is junior Tim Bowden, though he has been slowed by injuries in camp. John Lee, a senior, might get his first substantial time on the field. Freshman Joel Mancl (pronounced "MAN-sell") has good size and strength but is still learning the system.
Veteran Andy Bryant has been moved to wide receiver.
Complicating the situation at running back is the fact that the offensive is being rebuilt, and early camp has featured multiple combinations up front. Shoring up the two units is a main priority.
By the way, the last Tiger running back to carry the load himself was Marc Washington in 1996. Next preseason, that'll probably still be true, but that doesn't mean the running game won't be improved.