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Peerman
Simpson |
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
CHARLOTTESVILLE--
Cedric Peerman had a perfect view of the second-longest touchdown run in NCAA bowl game history.The University of Virginia senior running back missed the final seven games of last season with a foot injury that required sur-gery.
He was standing on the sidelines at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., when he saw a massive hole open on the left side of Virginia's offensive line.
His replacement, Mikell Simpson, took full advantage and sprinted 96 yards for the touchdown in Virginia's 31-28 loss to Texas Tech.
Peerman felt no bitterness watching Simpson excel.
He knew when he returned this season, he would team up with the junior from Harrisburg, Pa., to form one of the best running back tandems in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
When Virginia opens its season with an Aug. 30 home game against powerful Southern Cal, both Peerman and Simpson will be major factors in the backfield.
"I'm looking forward to sharing the load with Mikell," said Peerman, who is fully healed from his injury. "He's a great runner. He brings a different dimension to the game than myself, so I'm really looking forward to it."
That different dimension is speed.
Peerman led the ACC in rushing (585 yards) at the time of his injury last season, but he did so using a bruis-ing, hard-nosed running style.
Simpson stood out with his shiftiness.
"Somehow he never gets hit face-up," Peerman said. "I don't know how he does it."
Simpson was a backup wide receiver for the Cavaliers last season when Peerman and later second-string running back Andrew Pearman were injured.
Simpson was forced to switch to running back and start against Maryland. He promptly made many wonder why he wasn't already in the tailback mix.
In an 18-17 win, he accounted for 271 all-purpose yards (119 rushing, 152 receiving), the sixth most in school history.
He went on to lead the Cavaliers with 10 touchdowns, including eight on the ground. He finished the season with 972 all-purpose yards (570 rushing, 402 receiving). He said he's even more prepared this season.
"I'm not saying I slacked last season, but I didn't know my role until the middle of the season," Simpson said. "Now I know the role I play for my team, and I have to live up to it."
Cavaliers head coach Al Groh has yet to name a starter at running back.
It likely won't matter.
Both Peerman and Simpson are expected to receive plenty of touches. They both said they're fine with however the coaching staff splits the carries.
An unsettled quarterback situation and the loss of the entire middle of Virginia's offensive line are two issues that could prevent a strong running game, but the Cavaliers are excited about the duo.
"I love it. I love it," Virginia senior wide receiver Maurice Covington said. "I'm looking forward to both of them having big seasons."
Groh compared the duo to Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman, who were successful as a tandem attack at Virginia from 2002-04.
He said the trend in college football is for running backs to share the load.
"Across the board, that seems to be the case," Groh said.
Groh added that if Peerman or Simpson took all the carries, they would be exhausted by the end of the year.
Simpson and Peerman wouldn't complain if they were the primary workhorses, but they're also satisfied to have their load lightened.
"I think I've grown to understand it's really hard to take every carry in the game," Peerman said. "When you need a breather, it's always good for someone to come in."
If last year was any indication, Simpson will provide more than relief for Peerman.
He shocked the entire team with his performance in the final six games, propelling the Cavaliers to a 9-4 record.
"I don't know if anybody expected him to do what he did," Peerman said. "He blessed our team. We're just happy he performed the way he did."
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com
