By Shaughan Sparks
When the air gets cold and the leaves fall off the trees, it''s football season. When the weather turns warm and the birds begin to sing, it''s football season.
Football players practice in both fall and spring. The biggest difference being that fall is the season of football glory and spring is the season of football work.
For BYU running backs, this work entails learning on new Head Coach Gary Crowton''s offensive plan.
Senior running back Paul Peterson said it takes time to learn the schemes and techniques behind a new offense.
'It''s totally different from what we''re used to,' he said.
Despite the amount of new material Peterson said, 'I think we''ve got a good jump start on things.'
Running back coach Paul Tidwell agrees.
'I''m very impressed. I think we''ve got some great running backs,' he said.
Coach Crowton''s offense requires running backs to be proficient in three areas - blocking, catching the ball and running to gain positive yards on carries, Tidwell said.
Right now Peterson, along with Luke Staley, Brian MacDonald, Ned Stearns, Logan Deans and Mike Nielson are doing great in those three areas, he said.
'We anticipate that they will ride to the top and do great things for the program this year,' Tidwell said.
Tidwell said that although it is still early, Logan Deans has proven to be a pleasant surprise. Tidwell also said Jared Harper could come around, although he hasn''t been able to see Harper much thus far.
Ned Stearns and Mike Nielson can play both full and half back, which led Tidwell to describe them as do-it-all type guys that will be able to help out the team.
In regard to standout Luke Staley, Tidwell said, 'Luke is meeting my expectations. I knew he was good, and he is good. However, he''s still got a lot to work on; they all do.'
According to rushing statistics, Staley averaged 3.7 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns last season.
Marcus Whalen, another of last season''s standouts, will redshirt this fall for disciplinary reasons. He is not practicing with the team this spring, but will be eligible to participate next year if he meets all requirements of the disciplinary action, Tidwell said.
Whalen averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns last season, according to BYU''s official athletic website.
Despite last season''s successes, Tidwell said he believes there is room for improvement.
'The main thing I want to do is to make sure I''m doing my part in contributing ideas and getting the best performance out of the running backs I can,' Tidwell said. 'I want to motivate them to contribute because they are an important part of the offense,' Tidwell said.
According to Peterson, Tidwell is doing an excellent job of motivating the running backs.
'He''s a very positive coach. He''ll tell you what you did wrong, but follow it up with praise,' Peterson said.
Although this is Tidwell''s first year coaching at BYU, he is entering his 23rd year coaching overall.
'We''ll be ready to go in the fall,' Tidwell said. 'We have two maybe three running backs that can compete and play with any program and a few that may earn all-conference honors.'