As a freshman last season, running back James Starks was the Buffalo Bulls' leading rusher with 704 yards, the most yards gained by a Bulls running back since 2002. Starks broke the century mark in rushing twice and his six touchdowns were tied for best on the team.
A threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, his 34 receptions ranked him second on the team in that category. That production earned him Second Team All Mid-American Conference honors, making him one of only five freshmen in the conference to take home those All MAC credentials.
After having so much success in his first collegiate season, it would seem logical that the Niagara Falls native would have a problem with sophomore running back Mario Henry stealing some of his carries this year.
"I really don't have a problem. I think we complete each other," Starks said. "Basically, if I ain't doing good, I can always count on him to give me a break. And if he ain't doing good he can always count on me. So it's good to have two backs like that."
A defensive back for the Bulls two seasons ago, Henry was red shirted in 2006 to work with the scout team. Coming into the new season, he was dropped into the middle of the running game and hasn't missed a step yet. He has already amassed a team-high 190 rushing yards in three games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
"I played running back at high school so it was kind of natural," Henry said of the transition from defense to offense. "It was just learning all the plays and some new techniques."
Being able to have two solid running backs who can carry the load is what has allowed the Bulls to average 116 rushing yards per game this season.
While Starks' rushing averages are down from a year ago, he continues to be a strong presence in the receiving game. He is one of only four Bulls to have over 100 receiving yards at this point in the season. And 74 of those yards came on the first play from scrimmage against Temple, in which Starks took a screen pass for pay dirt. Starks is the only player on the Bulls roster with more than one score.
Each running back has his own style on the field. And it's those different running approaches that can help mix up the offensive game plan and throw the opposing defense for a loop. Starks tends to gain his yards up the gut while Henry hits the holes for long gains on the outside.
"We call eachother Thunder and Lightning," Henry said. "Starks is more like the thunder guy and I'm more like the lightning guy."
Both backs understand that they are the cogs that keep one of the highest-flying offenses in the MAC going.
"It starts with us, basically," Starks said. "If we're doing good in the running game it opens up a lot more. The passing game starts clicking. The (offensive) line...they help us produce and we help everyone else produce."
And the offense has produced mightily in the last two games. Junior quarterback Drew Willy passed for 330 yards last weekend against Penn State. Henry ran all over Temple the week before, churning out 125 yards on the ground. The Bulls scored five touchdowns against the Owls, with Thunder and Lightning each getting one.
These backs will take the ball in any situation. Henry even threw for a score in the fourth quarter against Penn State, on a play designed for Starks, who played quarterback in high school. With talented players in the backfield, it leaves open the possibility for more trickery and a lot more scoring. The sky is the limit for the Bulls' offense, especially with Thunder and Lightning in the forecast for a few more years.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
