One of the biggest questions all camp long for the Head Coach Kyle Whittingham and the Ute football team is; “Who will be carrying the ball come Thursday in Corvalis?”.  The question has yet to be answered and will not be answered probably until after the game Thursday.  I spoke after practice with Coach Whittingham, and he explained  the running back situation to me.  Here is how it  breaks down:

Ray Stowers - Maybe the best camp….but, he has had some trouble with blitz pick ups.  Coach Kyle said; “Number one job of a running back is to protect the quarterback….and until we have 100% confidence in a running back that he can do that, we are going to be hard pressed to give him any reps.”
       

I think that you’ll probably see Stowers as the “starter” (as in he’ll probably be the first back on the field), but if he still isn’t solid on his blocking schemes, he may not see a lot of time.  With the injury of Jason Boone at left tackle, and the shifting of linemen, the coaching staff wants to have a back who will be able to pick up who ever might get through.

Darryl Poston - If Ray Stowers does not start, Darryl Poston will.  Why?  The very same reasons that may keep Stowers‘ time limited.  Coach Whittingham told me, “[Poston’s] strong suit is blocking and protecting the quarterback.”  It’s important for Brian Johnson, at least in the first game, to have complete confidence in his pass protection.  The coaching staff does not want to see Johnson in his first game back, constantly looking over his shoulder and being really quick to tuck the ball and run.  Poston will help provide that protection.
       
Darrell Mack - All fall long Coach Whittingham has been waiting for one of the running backs to stand out.  No one really did.  As you read above, Stowers and Poston showed that they are strong in running and blocking respectively.   Darrell Mack was good at a lot of things, but not great at any thing.  Kyle Whittingham said that Mack had, “No strengths, no weaknesses.  He is improving in all area’s.” 

Matt Asiata -  The mystery that is Matt Asiata continues.  “We haven’t seen enough of him in live situations.  We really didn’t have a opportunity and will not have an opportunity to find out what he’s made of until we give him the ball in the football game,” Kyle Whittingham said.  Asiata was brought in to be the man in the backfield for the Utes, but the foot injury has set him back.  He missed almost all of two-a-days, and in doing so is a little behind in picking up the offense.  There is no doubt that Asiata is a talent, but you need to know what  is going on in the offense to help it function. 
       

Asiata will get time against Oregon State, how much will depend on how he preforms.  If he shows that he is competent in the offense, and is able to provide protection and move the ball, he will quickly find himself the “man”.  If not, it will be running back by committee