BOCA RATON – Amid the frequent interceptions, overthrows and drive-stopping instances where quarterbacks and wide receivers weren’t on the same page, new FAU coach Lane Kiffin can always turn his gaze to the backfield for solace.
When all else fails, handing the ball to Buddy Howell or Devin Singletary is a pretty effective fallback plan.
“We’ve got to be the momentum,” Howell said. ”We’ve got to be the tempo setters. We’ve got to execute no matter what is going on. If the pass game isn’t right, coach is going to come to the run game. We’ve got to be able to be reliable to execute and make big plays. That’s what we work for day in and day out.”
Howell and Singletary are proven offensive commodities, combining to rush for nearly 2,000 yards last season behind and injury depleted offensive line.
Singletary accounted for 1,021 of those yards, a total made more impressive considering he rarely saw the field during the first month of the season.
He’s already more comfortable in this year’s fall camp than he was last year as a true freshman.
“I know what to expect out of myself,” Singletary said. “I know what I’m working for.”
While setting the program record last season with 13 touchdowns, the 6-foot-1, 215 pound Howell became more of a short yardage and goal line back last season as Singletary emerged as a weapon.
Howell’s offseason workout program aimed to add explosiveness to his game. Throughout the first week of fall camp Howell’s looked more decisive, allowing him to hit holes and accelerate past defenders before they can lay a hand on him.
“When it comes to those decisions, I’m a lot faster,” Howell said. “I’m a lot quicker getting in and out of my cuts, jumping in and out of holes and outrunning defenders – and that’s what the weight room has done.”
New coach Lane Kiffin has seen a different Howell than the one he was introduced to in the spring.
“He’ improved his hips and his ability to make the first guy miss instead of just trying to run everybody over,” Kiffin said. “We’ll keep pushing him and hopefully get him better.”
Twice last season Singletary rushed for more than 200 yards in a game, giving onlookers reason to believe that he can take the ball to the house any time he touches it. Howell believes he – along with Kerrith Whyte and Marcus Clark for that matter – possess the same big play ability.
“Every time we get the ball we expect a house call,” Howell said. “We expect something big. That’s our mind set. We aren’t looking for short plays. We are going to run like we’re trying to touch the end zone every time.”
The entire running back unit has also proven to be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, too, giving new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles another option should he choose to use it.
“Kendal’s system does not throw to the backs a lot – it’s more of a receivers, tight end system – but it’s good to have and we’ll continue to work different ways to get those guys the ball,” Kiffin said.
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