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The Indiana Daily Student

sports football

McCullough builds IU into running team

Junior running back Tevin Coleman runs the ball during IU's game against Michigan on Nov. 1 at Michigan Stadium. The IU running backs have stressed not fumbling this season.

IU running backs Coach Deland McCullough describes himself as a player’s coach.

He’s hard on his players, but they respect him. They know exactly what he expects from them.

If they fumble, they know the consequences.

McCullough and Coach Kevin Wilson have made it clear ball security is of the utmost importance. Fumble and you sit out.

When junior running back Tevin Coleman fumbled in the first quarter against Michigan two weeks ago, he didn’t play until the end of the half.

Wilson was questioned after the game about why he kept Coleman out for so long. Coleman is one of the best running backs in the nation, and it was a pivotal game for the then 3-4 Hoosiers.

Wilson said it was McCullough’s call keeping Coleman on the sideline.

That’s just part of the culture the running backs coach has built at IU. And for the first time since Wilson got to Bloomington four years ago, IU is a running team.

“Guys have worked hard, took pride in how they practice and play,” McCullough said. “There’s a lot of pride about what we do.”

When McCullough followed Wilson to IU in 2011, the two had known each other for years. McCullough played at Miami of Ohio from 1992 to 1995. Wilson was the offensive coordinator.

McCullough finished his college career as the No. 1 rusher in school and MAC history.

McCullough worked in Cincinnati as a high school teacher and football coach and eventually worked in administration as a principal and athletic director.

When he decided to make the jump from high school to college coaching in 2010, McCullough was hired at his alma mater.

Not long after, Wilson recruited his former player to join his staff at IU.

“I kind of knew what to expect as far as working with him,” McCullough said. “I knew (with) his background and his work with me, it’d be an opportunity to mold some good backs and be part of a great system.”

Four years later, he’s seeing significant results.

Last season, Coleman and Stephen Houston combined for 1,977 yards rushing. It was the first time in school history that IU averaged more than 200 yards rushing per game.

Through nine games this season, Coleman and company are averaging 261 yards per game. That’s nearly 100 yards more than IU passes for each game.

Coleman is second in the nation in rushing yards with 1,371 and averages 7.5 yards per carry.

When asked about his success and getting national recognition, Coleman often gives all the credit to ?McCullough.

McCullough said there’s always been a good “mojo” among the group, but this season his backs are showing it consistently in practice and it’s paying off on Saturdays.

They can finally see the formula working.

“Our thing is we always try to see who can make the most plays every day,” McCullough said. “So it’s competitive. They are supportive of each other. They want each other to look good. They want the team to look good. They want the coaches to look good.”

Coleman scored a touchdown in 15 consecutive games, including seven to start this season. His streak of nine games with 100 or more yards was the best in the ?nation.

But the running game has experienced a decrease in production in recent games.

Led by Coleman and senior D’Angelo Roberts, the running game excelled early in the season in an offense in which opponents focused on stopping quarterback Nate Sudfeld.

An offense without Sudfeld has put additional pressure on the running backs.

In the last three games, when IU’s point totals have gone from 17 to 10 to seven, both of Coleman’s streaks have ended.

He rushed for just 71 yards in a 13-7 loss to Penn State. IU had 153 total yards on the ground.

McCullough said while they aren’t producing the best numbers in recent games, his backs need to learn how to overcome the adversity the offense is facing as a whole and not let the pressure get to them.

With three games left, IU needs three wins to make a bowl.

The running backs will treat the last three like they have every other game this season.

“We’ve always had urgency,” McCullough said. “Nothing’s changed with that.”

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