Before the season, Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon talked about the importance of having a primary runner.
His thoughts have somewhat changed after the Hurricanes used three running backs this season. Shannon said he wasn't disappointed with the absence of a 1,000-yard back because Graig Cooper, Damien Berry and Javarris James took turns leading the ground game. When any suffered an injury, another filled in with a solid performance.
"If we didn't have the injuries, any of those guys could have had an opportunity [for 1,000 yards]," Shannon said. "But when you have injuries and have a guy like Damien Berry step up … you look and say, `Wow, these are three running backs that have done a real great job."'
Cooper leads UM (9-3, 5-3) with 666 yards, ahead of Berry (587) and James (491).
"I've been preaching all year that we've got one of the best backfields in the country," said James, a senior. "When I was down, Damien stepped up. We've got a couple guys, Mike James and Lamar Miller, who didn't even get a chance to showcase their stuff this year."
Quick hits
-- Cooper, a junior, remains unsure if he will return for his senior year. His father, Tino Thomas, said he expects Cooper back for another season. Cooper will announce his plans sometime after the bowl game.
--Recruit Louis Nix, of Jacksonville Raines, switched his verbal commitment from UM to Notre Dame on Wednesday. Nix, a highly-touted defensive tackle, is the second recruit in a week to change his mind. Last week, Glades Central's Greg Dent dropped the Hurricanes in favor of Florida State.
