Benton, a true freshman from Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, is one of four running backs in UC coach Mark Dantonio's first recruiting class. They all have impressive credentials.

UC fans knew all about Bradley Glatthaar from Elder High School after he led the Panthers to two state titles. Jon Carpenter is the son of former Miami great Rob Carpenter. And Delbert Ferguson from Warren Harding was the most highly rated, though he was recovering from a broken leg he suffered during his senior year.

The Bearcats also had returning starter Richard Hall and veteran backups in junior Carl Jones and sophomore Terry Arnold.

Benton wasn't sure where he would fit in.

"Coach said the reason he brought them in is because running backs are good athletes and they can do a whole lot of things on the field," Benton said. "I just came in and did my job on the field and whatever happened, happened."

What happened was that Benton passed all of them except Hall on the depth chart. Jones was moved to cornerback, Arnold was tried at safety this week in practice and it appears likely that Ferguson will be redshirted, with Benton and Glatthaar emerging as Hall's backups.

Benton gained 46 yards on eight carries last week against Syracuse. For the season, he has 91 yards on 21 carries.

While the passing game has sputtered, the Bearcats have turned more and more to their stable of running backs and their experience on the offensive line. If this offense has developed a character in three games, it's that of a running team.

"We've found a way to run the ball," Dantonio said. "I think our running backs are as deep a position as we have on this football team."

There's little doubt UC will emphasize the running game more than usual Saturday against an East Carolina team that has allowed an average of 359 rushing yards per game in two losses to West Virginia and Wake Forest.

The Bearcats are averaging 185 rushing yards per game. Hall (111.3 yards per game) remains the primary ball carrier, but Benton appears to be a keeper.

"Butler brings a certain amount of maturity being a freshman," Dantonio said. "... He prepares, he runs with toughness and he doesn't turn the ball over."