Top rusher Daryl Royal is academically ineligible and junior fullback Eric Beal could be out for the year, but the Cincinnati Bearcats are not hurting for running backs entering their football opener against Tulsa on Thursday.
Robert Cooper and Orlando Smith, who also have been starters during their UC careers, will replace Royal at tailback.
Royal set a modern UC record with a 282-yard game against Miami University last year, en route to a team-high 853 rushing yards. But he will miss at least one game because of academic deficiencies. Cooper, a 5-foot-11, 206-pound sophomore who started four times last year, is No. 1 on the depth chart. He was second to Royal with 511 yards rushing in 1996, including 191 yards against Alabama-Birmingham. He is a breakaway threat, with his resume including a 67-yard TD run last year.
Smith, a 6-foot, 245-pound junior, was the UC rushing leader in 1995 (471 yards) but missed most of 1996 after breaking his ankle in the third game. He is a bruiser with good speed, getting most of his yards inside the tackles.
"We'll miss Daryl Royal, but the guys who will be playing are not exactly rookies," UC coach Rick Minter said.
Beal suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (knee) in practice two weeks ago, but senior Landon Smith (5-11, 247,), gives UC another veteran in the backfield. He led the team with six rushing touchdowns in 1996, all of which came from inside the 10-yard line.
Minter's big-back philosophy helped UC lead Conference USA in rushing last year at 181 yards per game, and the best news is that every offensive line starter returns. With UC having two new starters at wide receiver, the running game will be even more important this season, especially early.
"There's no pressure," Cooper said, "because we've been there before. We know the speed of the game."
Royal is practicing occasionally with the team while attending summer school. UC's summer term ends Friday, and if Royal passes he could return for the second game (Tulane, Sept. 6) or perhaps the third (Kansas, Sept. 20). If his summer grades fall short, he will miss the entire season.
"It's up to him," Minter said. "We're a better team with Daryl Royal, but if not, we're prepared to go with the other guys."
