Nick Allsman (SO/Belleville, Kan.) admits there's a "competitive spirit" among Kansas Wesleyan's running back corps but it's not what you might think it is.
Allsman, CJ Fluker (FR/Defiance, Ohio), Steve Harvey and Mark Benjamin (FR/Houston, Texas) have given the No. 8-ranked Coyotes four capable backs this season. And while each strives to be his best and get on the field as often as possible, they're doing so in the spirit of camaraderie and greater good for the offense and team as a whole.
"As a group we're really, really close with each other, we hang out outside of football, we all talk, we're really good friends," Allsman said. "I think that helps us in the games and practice because we're looking to help each other.
"So, it's not like we're going against each other, it's more like we're one group trying to help each other and the group succeed as a whole."
Allsman, who's in his second season at KWU after transferring from William Jewell, led the ground attack with 94 yards rushing on 18 carries in the Coyotes' 30-20 Kansas Conference victory over then-No. 22 Avila last Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.
Fluker leads the balanced attack this season with 264 yards on 64 carries while Allsman has 234 yards on 41 tries (5.7 per carry). Steve Harvey has 170 yards on 39 attempts and Mark Benjamin 128 on 28 carries.
Allsman and Fluker have developed an in-game support group system that's mutually beneficial.
"He'll come to the sideline and tell me what he sees and he asks me what I see from the sideline," Allsman said. "I'll go in for a series and he'll ask me what I saw when I was in.
"We talk back and forth and that gives us a better idea of maybe we're missing something or not quite seeing what we need to see and we can help each other in that aspect. Both of us want to win really badly."
"Allsman and Fluker, especially these last few weeks, have fed off of each other," KWU coach Myers Hendrickson said. "Both of them have been carrying the load for us in the run and that's been great to see."
Allsman says familiarity with the offensive line after being in the program a year has made a big difference. He gained 190 yards on 43 carries and scored six touchdowns last season.
"Just having that cohesiveness with that group between the backfield and O-line makes my easier," he said. "I know when they're going to come off their man and work up to the next linebacker or how they're going to ride someone down the line so I can cut back. It makes my job easier when I know what they're doing and vice versa."
Blocking isn't just for linemen, though, and Allsman's not shy about doing his part.
"I know we've got some really talented receivers and Isaiah (Randalle) can throw the ball a mile," he said. "I know if I can give him enough time and pick up an extra linebacker that's going to make him feel more comfortable. And if he feels more comfortable, he's going to be confident throwing the ball and making reads and that's only going to help us out as a team."
His blocking well also bolsters the offensive line.
"I know they like it when they have backs that are going to pick up that linebacker so they're only focusing on what they've got to do and it makes their job a lot easier," he said.
Allsman's running style isn't flashy but certainly is effective. His 32-yard run during KWU's third offensive possession against Avila was a key play.
The Coyotes were at their own 10-yard line when he took off and they scored three plays later on a Fluker 8-yard run, making it 14-0 late in the first quarter.
"With Nick I think it's his vision and ability to make one cut and go vertical," Hendrickson said. "The one that he hit on Avila he hit it front side, gave it one cut, get vertical and was a huge play to jump start us offensively in the run game."
Allsman and the Coyotes face a McPherson defense today in their homecoming game that's allowing an average of 188 yards rushing a game. Kickoff at Bissell Field at the Graves Family Sports Complex is scheduled for 2 p.m.
"They're big, they're going to be physical, they like to put seven in the box," Allsman said. "But there's going to be opportunities to make plays for sure.
"When they put seven in the box, we're going to get single coverage with our receivers and they're going to make plays. Then maybe they'll start cheating and that's going to lighten the box a little bit and going to allow the running game to really produce too."