Cincy on the Prowl
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Mike Boone Will Return Punts In 2016… And Hopefully (Pretty Please) Get More Carries for Bearcats Football

By Bearcat Jones

Nov 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Mike Boone (5) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Mike Boone (5) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Everybody wants Boone to get the ball more, but couldn’t you just, you know, like… give him more carries?

If you were one of the people who wondered why Bearcats RB Mike Boone, who has all-conference talent, only managed to get the third most carries on the team during 2015’s running back by committee approach – well – join the club.  Boone averaged an insane 7.2 yards per carry and led the team in touchdowns (9, all rushing) in 2015, yet got just 26% of the carries among the “three-headed monster” of Boon, Tion Green, and the now graduated Hosey Williams.

The fact that Boone (a Junior this Fall) nearly led the team in rushing (749 yards to Williams’ 777 and Green’s 729) despite the lack of carries speaks to his talent.  He is hands down the best back on the roster for Cincinnati football this Fall.  There have numerous calls for #5 to get the ball more, and even a little bit of scoffing (Boone was the first “3rd string running back” named to a preseason watch list) about last years state of affairs.

Well, Bearcat fans: be careful what you wish for.  UC released the first iteration of it’s depth chart for 2016 as camp opened, and there are a few things of note.  We already knew that there is a 3-way QB competition, and had speculated that Boone and Green would split carries, but now Mike Boone is listed as the number one return man for both punts and kickoffs in the wake of the departure of Shaq Washington.  Not exactly what I had in mind when I constantly grumbled that Boone needed the ball more in 2016.

I can’t say that I’m mad about it, because getting the ball into the hands of your most talented players is the name of the game in college football.  It worked out quite spectacularly for a guy named Marshawn Gilyard (that video never gets old, especially Matt Millen circling “the angle” that never had a chance), and it also worked out pretty well for another famous #5, Reggie Bush.  But my fear is that by having Boone return licks and punts, he’s just going to become fatigued – which will either a.) make him less effective -or- b.) give the staff en excuse to sit him for a few plays and give away more of the carries he should be getting to Tion Green.

The one thing I’m encouraged by is that at least Boone’s carries should increase dramatically this season. My hope is that he gets about than 50% of the carries for a Bearcats team that has already said it will run the ball more this year.  With Hosey Williams out of the picture, imagine the possibilities if Boone even gets half of the carries.  Last year, Boone, Williams, and Green combined to run the ball 394 times.  If UC runs the ball more this year, and Boone and Green split the meaningful carries, Boone gets 200 carries this year, probably even more – 208 carries would double his touches from 2015.  Think about that for a moment.  If Mike Boone gets 200 carries this year, people won’t be talking about USF’s Marlon Mack as the premier back in The American for long.  Boone will rush for 1,400 yards and score 15 touchdowns.  If Mike Boone gets 200 carries this year, he could be a Heisman and/or Doak Walker candidate in 2017.