orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-fbcuf1608oct16,0,5366935.story OrlandoSentinel.com College football Florida Gators Gators' speedy pair Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps surge ahead
Jeremy Fowler Sentinel Staff Writer October 16, 2008 GAINESVILLE The success of the No. 5 Florida Gators could hinge on whether two so-called scatbacks sustain their recent surge. Wait, retract that. No scatbacks here. Check the Florida weight room for proof that Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps are starting to transcend the speedster label. "They both bench over 300 pounds, they squat close to 500," running backs coach Kenny Carter said. "They might not be tall, but they're strong." As freshmen smaller than 5-foot-10, less than 185 pounds and with similar running styles, Demps and Rainey could be compared for the rest of their UF career. Even before the season's first snap, these world-class sprinters were foot-racing outside the dorms. These days, it's a lethal comparison for opponents. Ask Arkansas and LSU, who have given up a combined 401 yards rushing to these two. The two averaged 9.3 yards per carry in a 51-21 drubbing of LSU Saturday. Demps, who has four rushing touchdowns on the year, is averaging more than 40 yards per score, a stat that "surprised" him upon first glance. It could be worse. "I think if we get through [a hole], it could be over," Demps said about any given handoff to him or Rainey. "We made a couple big runs where just a few more inches and it would have been over." After criticism of the offense had avalanched on the Gators in recent weeks, an offensive explosion against LSU was welcomed by Gator Nation. So after jumping to a 17-0 lead, the Gators controlled the clock with 265 yards rushing, 195 from Rainey and Demps. All this came without running back Emmanuel Moody, who missed two games with an ankle injury and should return for the Kentucky game. When the offensive line holds blocks, these two only need milliseconds to plow through. "We knew we were a good team, but we felt we got called out as an offense," Demps said. "We know we can run it. We just had to come out and show the whole world. We took a lot of pride in it." Though speed is their common thread, Demps and Rainey have their contrasts. Rainey slithers through tacklers with make-you-miss moves that inspire Nike ads. Carter calls Rainey "the best natural back I've been around" because of his balance and no-fear attitude. Demps, the world junior record holder in the 100 meters at 10.01 seconds, has the type of speed that often doesn't require moves as he blows by defenders, though he has some. After redshirting last season thanks to shoulder surgery, Rainey said his health has provided confidence when running up the middle. "A year ago, when I got hit, my left shoulder, it would be painful," Rainey said. "Now I've gotten hit a couple times and it feels normal. Now when I get hit I can get back up and go do another play." If only Rainey, known as a fun-loving prankster, could always focus in the film room. "We're constantly trying to stay with him and say you have to be serious -- sometimes," Carter said. "Now he's starting to grasp that and he's really coming into his own." Maturity seems to be no problem with Demps, who starred at South Lake. "He's a superstar," Coach Urban Meyer said. "Not just with his speed, but I'm also talking about what kind of young guy he is. He's a tremendous player with a lot of talent. He's a great get for the Gators." * Read Jeremy Fowler's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/swampthings and e-mail him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Copyright (c) 2008, Orlando Sentinel <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
