Backfield Mates

OSU’s Saine happy sharing carries

By KEN GORDON

The Columbus Dispatch

There are no clouds in Brandon Saine’s sky. He’s a man with a perpetually sunny disposition — always positive, always projecting a “just happy to be here” attitude.

That trait has served him well this year. A case could be made that the Ohio State running back has been underused in the Buckeyes’ highly effective backfield-by-committee, that Saine’s production and breakaway potential should have earned him more of the workload.

But Saine is not interested in contributing to that argument. He is affable with a capital “A.”

So when asked if he would have liked to have more carries this season — a softball question that most running backs would slam over the fence — he just shrugs and says, “No, not at all. I don’t know if I could handle more.”

Coming into the season, nobody knew what Saine could handle. After flashing his potential as a true freshman in 2007, a hamstring injury caused him to miss 23 preseason practices and effectively ruined his 2008 season.

Healthy at last this season, Saine has come on strong while splitting carries with Daniel Herron. He has 694 yards rushing, trailing quarterback Terrelle Pryor (707) and ahead of Herron (558).

“At the beginning [of the year], I didn’t really have any idea what was going to happen or which way the season was going to go,” Saine said. “I just knew it was going to be a fun year, especially knowing the idea of me and Boom splitting a little bit of time. The way it worked out was really fun.

“I was definitely more comfortable. I got a lot more reps, I felt better and I did what I wanted to do.”

Saine’s totals are more impressive, considering he has eight fewer carries than Herron, despite Herron missing most of four games because of a sprained ankle.

Saine averages 5.3 yards per carry, compared with 4.0 for Herron. Saine has had eight runs of 20 yards or more, compared to just two long runs for Herron.

And Saine is a better receiver, with 15 catches for 175 yards compared to Herron’s eight for 48.

Yet, coach Jim Tressel seemed to forget about Saine at times in crucial situations:

U Against Southern California, Herron had 17 carries for 44 yards, while Saine had just one carry.

UWhile Herron was out injured, Saine averaged just 12 carries a game, rather than taking over the majority of Herron’s workload.

UAgainst Iowa, Saine scored on a 49-yard run with 11:11 left in the game. He did not touch the ball again. Herron had the final 10 carries and finished with 32 attempts and 97 yards (3.0) while Saine had 11 for 103 (9.4).

“I’m not sure we’ve gone into many games thinking one [back] would have this many carries and one would have that many,” Tressel said. “We love the fact if those two guys are healthy, that’s really a good thing for us and who knows, they could both have 25 carries or they could both have 12. We’ve got good backs.”

It’s certainly hard to argue with the overall production. Pryor, of course, is a major contributor, and could become the first quarterback to lead OSU in rushing since Les Horvath in 1944.

Overall, the Buckeyes are ranked 19th nationally in rushing offense at 198.9 yards a game, the highest total in Tressel’s nine seasons.

Expect much of the same, then, in the Rose Bowl, and maybe next season, as well, when Saine will be a senior and Herron a fourth-year junior.

And surprise, surprise — that prospect doesn’t bother Saine a bit.

“We definitely feed off of each other and we get excited for each other,” he said. “I enjoy watching him when I’m out.”