Spring Break
Norman Whitley
Addison Harvey
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
Most people know very little about East Carolina running back Norman Whitley.
Whitley was a highly touted running back out of Richmond County high school, where he piled up 2,168 rushing yards, 3,700 all purpose yards, and 39 touchdowns as a senior. The 5-foot-9, 187-pound running back has seen limited action since coming to ECU in the fall of 2006. Multiple injuries have caused Whitley to miss considerable practice and game time since arriving on campus.
But with Dominique Lindsay sidelined for the year with a knee injury and Jonathan Williams suspended indefinitely, Whitley becomes the featured back for the Pirates.
In limited action this season, Whitley has compiled 195 yards and three touchdowns. Most people remember Whitley's game changing receiving touchdown earlier this season in a 28-24 win over Tulane. Whitley is a versatile running back, who has the ability to make big plays out of the backfield in the passing and running game.
Even though I feel Whitley will receive the bulk of the carries versus UCF, do not forget about senior running back Brandon Simmons. Simmons' powerful running style complements Whitley's speed and the combination of the two could be a great duo for the Pirates. In today's style of offense, two running backs are a valuable asset. Many NFL and NCAA teams feature two running backs, like Arkansas last year with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, and former Pirate standout Chris Johnson and LenDale White with the Tennessee Titans.
I am expecting breakout performance for Whitley versus UCF on ESPN Sunday night. The UCF defense is ranked number one in the NCAA in interceptions, and because of this I am looking for the Pirates to try and pound the ball on the ground. If the Pirates are able to establish the running game early and win the turnover battle, I am expecting a big Conference USA-East win on Sunday.
Whitley was a highly touted running back out of Richmond County high school, where he piled up 2,168 rushing yards, 3,700 all purpose yards, and 39 touchdowns as a senior. The 5-foot-9, 187-pound running back has seen limited action since coming to ECU in the fall of 2006. Multiple injuries have caused Whitley to miss considerable practice and game time since arriving on campus.
But with Dominique Lindsay sidelined for the year with a knee injury and Jonathan Williams suspended indefinitely, Whitley becomes the featured back for the Pirates.
In limited action this season, Whitley has compiled 195 yards and three touchdowns. Most people remember Whitley's game changing receiving touchdown earlier this season in a 28-24 win over Tulane. Whitley is a versatile running back, who has the ability to make big plays out of the backfield in the passing and running game.
Even though I feel Whitley will receive the bulk of the carries versus UCF, do not forget about senior running back Brandon Simmons. Simmons' powerful running style complements Whitley's speed and the combination of the two could be a great duo for the Pirates. In today's style of offense, two running backs are a valuable asset. Many NFL and NCAA teams feature two running backs, like Arkansas last year with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, and former Pirate standout Chris Johnson and LenDale White with the Tennessee Titans.
I am expecting breakout performance for Whitley versus UCF on ESPN Sunday night. The UCF defense is ranked number one in the NCAA in interceptions, and because of this I am looking for the Pirates to try and pound the ball on the ground. If the Pirates are able to establish the running game early and win the turnover battle, I am expecting a big Conference USA-East win on Sunday.
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