Despite growing up in a small town, UH running back Bryce Beall comes equipped with a big-city game.
The 5-11, 205-pound running back enters his sophomore season looking to build on a terrific freshman campaign, in which he rushed for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdowns and was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
‘Not only do I think I can be one of the best running backs in the conference, I feel like I could be one of the best running backs in the nation,’ said Beall, who’s from Tatum in east Texas.
Although head coach Kevin Sumlin’s spread-out offense is sometimes pass-heavy, Beall said he enjoys his role as a playmaker.
‘Moving the ball like we do is fun,’ Beall said. ‘It gets you in shape with all the running. It gives me a lot of room with all the space.’
Beall’s confidence grew as he became more comfortable with the offense. In the Armed Forces Bowl victory over Air Force, Beall earned MVP honors after rushing for 135 yards and one touchdown.
What a difference a year makes
That performance provided Beall with a jolt of confidence and a near-perfect end to his freshman campaign.
‘Coming into last season, I didn’t know my role, but winning that award (Armed Forces Bowl MVP) really boosted me up for this upcoming season,’ Beall said.
Beall, who is the first UH freshman to rush for more than 1,000 yards, knows he will have to continue to expand his game if the Cougars are going to reach greater heights.
‘I just look to get the ball. It does not matter how I get it – whether it’s a handoff or a catch,’ Beall said. ‘When I get the ball, I just want to make a play.’
During the offseason, Beall worked on his conditioning with head strength and conditioning coach Larry Jackson.
‘(I needed to improve upon) finishing runs, getting that head down, shoulder down, keeping my legs up more,’ Beall said. ‘When we watch film, coach tells me when I got tired my legs would not come up at all, and my head would go straight back.
‘Coach Jackson helped get my hips together this summer. I feel like I can go a lot stronger this year.’
Ready for the bright lights
Before he began to battle C-USA foes, Beall attended Tatum High School. Thus, it is not surprising to learn that his favorite NFL player, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, comes from Palestine, which is in the same area.
‘I love his style of running,’ Beall said. ‘I don’t try to emulate anybody, but I like the way he runs mad and angry.’
The Sept. 26 matchup with Texas Tech will bring national exposure to the program, which Beall and his teammates are embracing.
‘We want to show people what our program is about and how hard we worked,’ Beall said.
Beall did not hold back when asked about his specific goals for 2009. Considering his level of confidence, there is no reason to expect a timid response.
‘1,500 yards is the goal that I individually set with my running backs coach,’ Beall said.
‘If we can do that, everything else will happen itself.’
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