Running back committee carrying UNLV offense to new heights

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 | 2 a.m.

When UNLV takes the field for its first offensive drive on Saturday against Colorado State (4 p.m., Mountain West Network), which running back is going to take the initial handoff?

According to head coach Barry Odom, the answer to that question is not important.

UNLV’s explosive offense currently ranks 14^th nationally in scoring at 37.5 points per game, and much of that success is due to a dominant rushing attack, spearheaded by a stable of backs who are, if not interchangeable, complementary in a way that enhances the position.

Seniors Donavyn Lester, Vincent Davis and Courtney Reese and freshman Jai’Den Thomas are all listed as co-starters on UNLV’s depth chart this week, and it almost makes sense considering the way they have collectively performed this season.

When asked about naming a starter during his press conference on Monday, Odom couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“We have a comfort level that any of those four could go out and be on the field to start the game,” Odom said.

The backfield committee is working as designed, with UNLV riding its rushers to a 5-1 record and the precipice of bowl eligibility. Under offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, the go-go offense leans on a lot of two-back formations, and different plays call for different skill sets.

Fortunately, the Scarlet and Gray have a ballcarrier for every situation.

At times the team has turned to Thomas with his breakaway speed. At other points it’s been Davis with his shiftiness, Reese with his ability to make defenders miss in the open field, and Lester with his bruising downhill style.

The results have been beyond reproach. UNLV sports the No. 9 rushing offense in the country (221.5 yards per game) while ranking 17^th in yards per carry (5.2) and second in rushing touchdowns (21).

Because UNLV is so committed to the running game, there is a lot of work to go around. That’s how Marion has been able to feed four “starters” and keep all of them happy.

The offensive game plan is devised throughout the week, with Marion and running backs coach Cornell Ford collaborating on which personnel to use. Playing time depends on the play being run, the defensive alignment they anticipate facing, and numerous other factors.

It’s a nuanced process that Odom intimates may be more art than science.

“There’s so many moving parts that go into it,” Odom said. “There’s guys that may be out there for the first snap, and they’re not out there again for another series. It’s just the flow of the game, who competes really well during the week of practice, who’s game-ready to go play. All those things go into who’s going to play for us.

“That changes as you get into the game,” he continued. “A lot of it is on what adjustments we’re having to make, what the other side is doing or not doing.”

Marion has handled it masterfully through the first half of the season. In Saturday's blowout win at UNR, it was Lester’s turn to shine, as he carried 10 times for 99 yards and three touchdowns, including a 66-yard score.

But true to the plan, there were plenty of handoffs to go around, as Marion called 27 passes (including sacks) and 46 running plays.

Davis got a team-high 17 carries and churned out 71 yards and a touchdown. Thomas, who logged a four-touchdown game earlier in the season, got nine carries. Reese got six carries and also caught three passes.

As a team, the Scarlet and Gray amassed 259 rushing yards, which was actually their lowest total since Sept. 16 against Vanderbilt.

Lester said the backs go into each game with a general idea of their role and when they’ll be called upon, and that they’re embracing the all-hands-on-deck approach.

“It’s very fun. Coach Marion does a good job being creative, especially with the play calling,” Lester said. “We are all selfless players. We don’t care who gets the ball. We want to continue to build off one another at practice. We all have strengths and all have weaknesses, but we want to help each other become better running backs.”

Thomas leads the team in carries (60) and touchdowns (seven), while Davis is pacing the backfield in yards (327) and yards per carry (6.3). Lester has 265 yards and six touchdowns, and Reese has 35 carries and three TDs.

UNLV’s excellence on the ground has also had the added benefit of making life easier for the quarterback. That has become especially relevant since redshirt freshman Jayden Maiava took over the starting job.

By creating consistent gains via the run game, Odom believes Maiava hasn’t fallen into the trap of trying to do too much when it comes time to throw the ball.

“More than anything it should relieve some pressure,” Odom said. “We do so many things with the quarterback in the run game. He’s such a huge part of that success or lack of. We’ve got to be able to run the ball. We’ve got to be able to get it out of the quarterback’s hands and make plays. I think the running game has helped in that way.”

With Colorado State’s 86^th-ranked run defense coming to town on Saturday, it figures to be another banner day for UNLV’s rotation of rushers.

Who gets the first carry? Who cares.

“It doesn’t really matter who’s got the yards and the stats at the end of the day,” Odom said. “It’s going to be a collective effort and that’s the way it should be.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.