Fill-in effort puts Salamon in running to carry bigger load

The freshman stepped in after an injury and made a strong case as a dependable back.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: September 8, 2008 - 2:03 AM

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After the Gophers' 42-17 victory at Bowling Green on Saturday, Shady Salamon walked into the interview room still sweating, but smiling.

"I've been hungry,'' he said.

Salamon, a running back at Cretin- Derham Hall, was the Gophers' first commitment in the 2008 recruiting class. He spent the month of August impressing coaches with his ability to pick up offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar's scheme.

He led the Gophers with 64 rushing yards on 12 carries Saturday, including the first touchdown of his college career.

"Ever since last year, I've been hungry,'' Salamon said. "I've been working hard.''

Will the Gophers have to feed Salamon more work in coming weeks? We'll know Tuesday. That's when the Gophers will give an update on running back Duane Bennett, whose splendid evening (148 yards of offense) ended in the fourth quarter because of a left knee injury.

The injury happened on a slow-developing screen play. Quarterback Adam Weber's pass had to be floated over a defender. By the time it got to Bennett, Falcons linebacker John Haneline had gotten there, too, giving Bennett a hard hit. After staying down for a while, Bennett limped off the field and did not return.

Brewster said Sunday that an MRI had been taken of the knee but that he did not know the diagnosis. The Gophers said no official injury report would be available until Tuesday.

Bennett was not the only player hurt Saturday. Offensive guard Ned Tavale and center Jeff Tow-Arnett were also shaken up and did not return. Brewster did not have an update but indicated that neither appeared to be seriously hurt.

Bennett has emerged as one of the most valuable cogs in the Gophers offense. In two games he has run 32 times for 140 yards (a 4.4-yard average). He also has become a dependable receiver, with 12 catches for 125 yards in two victories.

If Bennett is out for a period of time, a lot of responsibility will fall on a relatively young group of running backs, starting with Salamon. DeLeon Eskridge is another freshman in the mix, as is Kevin Whaley, who should be 100 percent healthy soon. Whaley was shot in the leg in March outside a nightclub in his home state of Virginia.

The most experienced player at the position behind Bennett is junior Jay Thomas.

"I really feel great about the young running backs,'' Brewster said. "And about [Thomas'] leadership. It's very significant what Jay gives those young guys, the way he coaches them on the boundary, the time he spends with them in the meeting room."

If Bennett misses a good length of time it figures that Thomas' offensive role would grow. So far he has played mainly on special teams.

Salamon carried the ball four consecutive times after the last of Bowling Green's five turnovers. He gained 18 yards, the last five for a touchdown with 3:55 left in the game.

Where Bennett would be missed most is in the passing game. Brewster said the young backs are capable of that role but haven't had the practice Bennett had.

"It's harsh in football,'' Brewster said. "One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. And as hard as that is, that's the reality of football. So that's how the season will unfold. Injuries are a part of this game, and how we respond to those injuries will determine our success.''

Meanwhile, Trey Davis replaced Tow-Arnett at center and played reasonably well, as did Chris Bunders, who replaced Tavale. But both are freshmen, making an already young line even younger.

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