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CHERUBINI CHIMES IN
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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Monday,
August 23, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
Q&A
with Torrance Hunt
By
Ron Cherubini
©2011 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
 It’s
been a wild ride for East Carolina sophomore running back Torrance Hunt. A
year ago, he was a rising star at wide receiver, working his way into the
pipeline. Spring came and a new role was born for the speedster – running
back. Lack of numbers at the position prompted a test of his capabilities at
the position and what was learned is that Hunt could be a big-impact player
out of the backfield.
Possessing elite speed and a shiftiness that could give
defenders fits in the ECU offensive scheme, Hunt surprised many by earning
himself a spot in the running back battle this fall. While it is speculated
that he might be a situational back, what is for sure is that offensive
coordinator Lincoln Riley wants to get Hunt in position to touch the ball
regularly in this offense.
Torrance was kind enough to sit down for a chat with
Bonesville to share his insights on the upcoming season.
Torrance Hunt (34) in action last season (ECU SID
photo)
One-on-One with Torrance Hunt
 Q:
So you come to spring camp a receiver and you leave
camp as the No. 1 back heading into fall. Talk about
that transition and how things are progressing this
fall?
A: The transition was great and
it was because we didn’t have a lot of guys at
running back (in the spring). They felt I was a good
fit for the position. It gave me the opportunity for
a lot of reps so I am working hard and I am liking
where I am right now and keep doing what I do best,
playing hard and doing what the coaches ask me to
do. Hopefully it will work out for me.
Q: Coach Lincoln Riley talked
about the elite speed you bring and how he expects
you to provide home-run type of playmaking to the
offense. If you are not able to win the starting
job, do you feel like you can be a big part of this
offense as a situational back?
A: If I do win the role, I do
think that my speed will help, and in this offense,
big plays are definitely possible. The speed keeps
the defense on its toes, being that I need just a
little gap to make something happen. (On situational
back) Yeah, I think that I can help this offense (if
only used in situations that mandate the change of
pace). I just want to get some opportunities.
Q: Having worked at wide receiver
in this offense, is route running from the running
back position different than it is from the wide
receiver position?
A: It is a little different.
Coming from the receiver position, you are not
looking for blitzes. When you are in the backfield,
you have to make sure if there is a blitz coming.
Pass pro(tection) comes before you can go into your
route. It is a little complicated but simple at the
same time.
Q: How are you with the playbook
at this time? Do you have it all covered already?
A: Oh yeah… I have it down.
Q: What player on this team do
you most respect and why?
A: I have to say Dominique
(Davis). You have to have poise back there when you
have guys like Justin Dixon and Marke Powell running
at him. The way he sits back there and he trusts his
line and his backs and he is back there not sweating
it and he makes the play. He has a lot of heart and
a lot of brains back there. I have to give it up to
him.
Q: What player on our defense
leaves a lasting impression on you when he puts a
lick on you?
A: Ummm…I don’t know. I would say
Daniel Drake. He goes hard every play. He brings it
from the linebacker position and he absolutely does
not budge when you put your head down and try to lay
it on him.
Q: Talk about this O-line. We
lost four starters, yet the coaches feel like we
will be better up front. As a back, what is your
take on the guys up front?
A: Those guys work really hard. I
think that we are going to have a good season. Right
now they work harder than any other position on the
offense. They work a lot more plays than the rest of
us. They are learning. They may be young, but they
are going to pack a punch and that is for sure.
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08/23/2011 02:37 AM |
