Newsome gives balance to Elon’s attack

Elon’s Brandon Newsome isn’t a pro prospect, at least not yet. He’s not popping up on a list of the nation’s top FCS running backs. He’s not the target for opposing defenses.
But his emergence in 2008 has given Elon much-needed offensive balance, a weapon in the backfield to keep opponents honest.
“I don’t think he’s anything that you’re going to turn on the film and say, holy cow, how do we stop this guy?” said Elon coach Pete Lembo, whose Phoenix travel to Lynchburg on Saturday for a critical non-conference game with Liberty. “He’s just a good, solid durable player. He’s a workhorse.”
Newsome has rushed for 903 yards and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, a welcome boost to what was a one-dimensional offense. Elon’s leading rusher last season, T.J. Clegg, ran for 279 yards and averaged a scant 3.7 yards per carry.
Liberty’s lasting impression of Elon was formed last September in North Carolina, when the Phoenix used a dink-and-dunk screen and short passing game to punish the Flames.
“We’re obviously a very different team than last year,” Lembo said. “Everybody thought of us as this great throwing team, and really, that was about it. This year, we’re a truly balanced football team in all three phases, and certainly much more balanced on offense.”
This season, Elon (8-3) has run for 1,670 yards and thrown for 2,730. Last season, the disparity was much more apparent, as the Phoenix threw for 3,927 yards and ran for just 710.
“But they still certainly have big-play capability,” Liberty coach Danny Rocco said. “But I think they’ve been showing a little more patience in their willingness to possess and drive the football.”
Lembo has been impressed with sophomore quarterback Scott Riddle’s willingness to buy into the new, balanced philosophy, even at the expense of his statistics.
Riddle’s yardage and completion percentage have each fallen this year, not surprising considering Elon is not throwing as many “safe” passes. The screen game last year was almost a substitute for the run game.
“It’s been more about just playing good team offense, getting everybody on the same page,” Lembo said. “It’s going to the line and saying, out of this particular formation, or this particular look we’re getting on defense, here’s what they’re giving us, so let’s try to take it.
“I think Scott has grown in his understanding of those things, even if it means he’s just turning around and handing the ball off.”
Saturday’s game means as much to Elon as it does to Liberty. After losing at Appalachian State last week, there are few scenarios that have the Phoenix in the FCS playoffs if they don’t win at Liberty. The Flames (9-2) need a win just to remain in the hunt for one of the eight at-large berths.
The Phoenix put everything on the line in Boone last week, losing 24-16 to the second-ranked Mountaineers. To play at the same level for a second straight week will be a challenge, Lembo admits.
“It is what it is,” Lembo said. “Either we do it, and we get a chance to play again, or we don’t, and we’ll be a sorry bunch until next September.”