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Help's on the way
Texas transfer Ike should make impact in running game
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
jschiefelbein@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter
Victor Ike, a transfer from Texas, works up a sweat during voluntary workouts at Southern University last month. Unhappy with his play as a Longhorn, Ike says he can help Southern's running game.
Something good came out of the 2001 Bayou Classic for Southern University after all.
Sure, the loss exposed what little was left of a running game beset by a season of injuries and disappearances. Two tailbacks totaled 14 yards, with the Jaguars finishing with minus-5 yards.
Even so, Texas running back Victor Ike saw a wide-open offense that could use his services.
And sometime between starting the Holiday Bowl and sitting out of school in the spring, Ike, who watched freshman phenom Cedric Benson run away with what should have been his breakthrough season, got in touch with Southern.
"That's the kind of offense I always wanted to play in: a wide-open offense where you need a back who can go all the way to the house," Ike said. "I wanted to find a school which could highlight my talents."
There's nothing like a blue-chip running back calling out of the blue.
"Ike can solve a lot of problems for us," Southern coach Pete Richardson said.
Ike (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) left Bowie High in Austin, Texas, in 1998, as one of the nation's top recruits after getting 1,742 yards and 30 touchdowns in 10 games despite an ankle injury.
Current Washington coach Rick Neuheisel said he "begged" Ike to come to Colorado. Nebraska, Miami and Tennessee also longed for Ike's signature. He originally committed to Texas A&M, but then-incoming coach Mack Brown convinced Ike to change that choice and stay in town.
Redshirted as a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams in 1998, Ike patiently awaited his chance to star. His first catch in 1999? An 80-yard touchdown against North Carolina State.
Emerging as the school's top kick returner the past two seasons, Ike, considered Texas' fastest offensive player, began as the starting tailback in last season's opener. But he didn't hold the job. So after 1,940 all-purpose yards (595 rushing) and 11 touchdowns in three seasons, he didn't want to be No. 2 anymore.
"To me, it looked like they needed help," Ike said. "And I wasn't too happy at Texas. I wasn't getting the ball like I wanted."
The impatience comes through in Ike's voice. But that voice also holds confidence -- and the comfort that comes with a fresh start.
"I love it here," Ike said. "People here are more down to earth. There's not so much pressure on you as there is at a school like Texas. You forget to have fun. You have to have fun to play football. It's too hard of a sport."
Richardson said Ike, who will report Thursday with Southern's newcomers, is Southern's best tailback prospect since he had Steve Wofford, the school's career rushing leader, in the mid-1990s.
"He's going to be given the opportunity to fill the void," Richardson said.
Southern hasn't won the SWAC title since 1999, the last time the Jaguars had a 1,000-yard rusher, Ryan Lewis.
Last season's best rusher, Carl Singleton, hasn't been cleared yet after suffering a knee injury at Florida A&M. Two promising nonqualifiers from last season, Marques Newman and Kenneth Peoples, along with true freshman Devin Hebert, report Thursday. And Rodney Tucker, a redshirt freshman who opened eyes with bulldog running in the spring, reports with the veterans Sunday.
But if Ike does as expected, coaches can be patient with the others.
"We haven't counted out anybody, but obviously we're expecting big things from (Ike)," first-year offensive coordinator David Oliver said. "He's coming for his senior year to prove himself, prove he's a big-time player.
"He's got that attitude about him. From all the feedback from the strength and conditioning coaches and the other players, he's certainly made himself a part of the team."
Ike did that by getting to know his teammates while visiting a handful of spring practices and attending the spring game. Then, he came to summer school and participated in voluntary workouts.
Ike, born in Houston, spent some of his childhood in Eunice, home to his mother's family. His cousin, Derrick Ned, played running back at Grambling in the early 1990s. And he and Southern assistant trainer John Ned are related, though neither knew the other until Ike arrived on campus.
"I've gotten a lot of feedback on what kind of a special talent he is," Oliver said. "I'm excited to see him when we get going."
KEEPING SCORE: Workers were busy Tuesday removing the scoreboard at A.W. Mumford Stadium in preparation for the new Daktronics scoreboard, which needs to be in place by the home opener, Sept. 28, against Nicholls State. Southern and Daktronics officials, as well as sponsors for the systems which will be in place at the F.G. Clark Activity Center and Lee-Hines Field, will be available in a Thursday morning news conference.
Texas transfer Ike should make impact in running game
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
jschiefelbein@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter
Victor Ike, a transfer from Texas, works up a sweat during voluntary workouts at Southern University last month. Unhappy with his play as a Longhorn, Ike says he can help Southern's running game.
Something good came out of the 2001 Bayou Classic for Southern University after all.
Sure, the loss exposed what little was left of a running game beset by a season of injuries and disappearances. Two tailbacks totaled 14 yards, with the Jaguars finishing with minus-5 yards.
Even so, Texas running back Victor Ike saw a wide-open offense that could use his services.
And sometime between starting the Holiday Bowl and sitting out of school in the spring, Ike, who watched freshman phenom Cedric Benson run away with what should have been his breakthrough season, got in touch with Southern.
"That's the kind of offense I always wanted to play in: a wide-open offense where you need a back who can go all the way to the house," Ike said. "I wanted to find a school which could highlight my talents."
There's nothing like a blue-chip running back calling out of the blue.
"Ike can solve a lot of problems for us," Southern coach Pete Richardson said.
Ike (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) left Bowie High in Austin, Texas, in 1998, as one of the nation's top recruits after getting 1,742 yards and 30 touchdowns in 10 games despite an ankle injury.
Current Washington coach Rick Neuheisel said he "begged" Ike to come to Colorado. Nebraska, Miami and Tennessee also longed for Ike's signature. He originally committed to Texas A&M, but then-incoming coach Mack Brown convinced Ike to change that choice and stay in town.
Redshirted as a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams in 1998, Ike patiently awaited his chance to star. His first catch in 1999? An 80-yard touchdown against North Carolina State.
Emerging as the school's top kick returner the past two seasons, Ike, considered Texas' fastest offensive player, began as the starting tailback in last season's opener. But he didn't hold the job. So after 1,940 all-purpose yards (595 rushing) and 11 touchdowns in three seasons, he didn't want to be No. 2 anymore.
"To me, it looked like they needed help," Ike said. "And I wasn't too happy at Texas. I wasn't getting the ball like I wanted."
The impatience comes through in Ike's voice. But that voice also holds confidence -- and the comfort that comes with a fresh start.
"I love it here," Ike said. "People here are more down to earth. There's not so much pressure on you as there is at a school like Texas. You forget to have fun. You have to have fun to play football. It's too hard of a sport."
Richardson said Ike, who will report Thursday with Southern's newcomers, is Southern's best tailback prospect since he had Steve Wofford, the school's career rushing leader, in the mid-1990s.
"He's going to be given the opportunity to fill the void," Richardson said.
Southern hasn't won the SWAC title since 1999, the last time the Jaguars had a 1,000-yard rusher, Ryan Lewis.
Last season's best rusher, Carl Singleton, hasn't been cleared yet after suffering a knee injury at Florida A&M. Two promising nonqualifiers from last season, Marques Newman and Kenneth Peoples, along with true freshman Devin Hebert, report Thursday. And Rodney Tucker, a redshirt freshman who opened eyes with bulldog running in the spring, reports with the veterans Sunday.
But if Ike does as expected, coaches can be patient with the others.
"We haven't counted out anybody, but obviously we're expecting big things from (Ike)," first-year offensive coordinator David Oliver said. "He's coming for his senior year to prove himself, prove he's a big-time player.
"He's got that attitude about him. From all the feedback from the strength and conditioning coaches and the other players, he's certainly made himself a part of the team."
Ike did that by getting to know his teammates while visiting a handful of spring practices and attending the spring game. Then, he came to summer school and participated in voluntary workouts.
Ike, born in Houston, spent some of his childhood in Eunice, home to his mother's family. His cousin, Derrick Ned, played running back at Grambling in the early 1990s. And he and Southern assistant trainer John Ned are related, though neither knew the other until Ike arrived on campus.
"I've gotten a lot of feedback on what kind of a special talent he is," Oliver said. "I'm excited to see him when we get going."
KEEPING SCORE: Workers were busy Tuesday removing the scoreboard at A.W. Mumford Stadium in preparation for the new Daktronics scoreboard, which needs to be in place by the home opener, Sept. 28, against Nicholls State. Southern and Daktronics officials, as well as sponsors for the systems which will be in place at the F.G. Clark Activity Center and Lee-Hines Field, will be available in a Thursday morning news conference.
