Deacon Sports Xtra: ‘Grounds Crew’ Setting Tone in Run and Pass Game

Deacon Sports Xtra: ‘Grounds Crew’ Setting Tone in Run and Pass Game

10/27/2022 12:29:00 PM | Football

“I love our performances as running backs.” - Justice Ellison

By: Les Johns

Understanding that their roles vary on a game-by-game and every snap-by-snap basis, the Wake Forest running back room has embraced the gritty nature of what they must do to ensure the Demon Deacon offense continues to score at a high level.

While at times that might mean they make moves in space to make opponents miss while producing explosive plays, more often it involves blocking massive defensive linemen to keep quarterback Sam Hartman upright or keeping their feet churning forward to pick up the tough gains on short yardage plays.

The group has been dubbed the "Grounds Crew" by running back coach John Hunter.

"Sometimes we get the ball and then other times we have to block those big dudes," running back Justice Ellison said. "Those are my boys. We've all bonded. When you see me, you're going to see them. We call ourselves the Grounds Crew, because we're gritty. We might not get all the recognition sometimes."

Bouncing back from a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to No. 4 Clemson, the Demon Deacons have found success on the ground in back-to-back-to-back victories including wins over Florida State and Army. The Deacs rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns in Tallahassee against the Noles and then 221 yards and four scores against the Black Knights back at Truist Field.

"We knew the assignment going into the game," Ellison said. "What we focused on during the week had to come into play during the game. It's about execution. We knew their (Army) offense would want the ball all game. We had to realize, no matter whether it was me, CT (Christian Turner) or Quinton (Cooley) in the game, just execute. We needed to play at a high level.

"I love our performances as running backs."

Another key to the Wake Forest offense scoring at a record-setting clip is Hartman having the time he needs in the pocket to find openings in the secondary, and that doesn't happen without running backs holding up in pass protection. Ellison said he's learned the importance of that from former Demon Deacons like Matt Colburn, Cade Carney and Christian Beal-Smith.

"I watched them and saw how passionate they were, even when they weren't given the ball," Ellison said. "It's an area of my game in which I'm trying to get better. We all have areas for growth. So, I'm having that growth mindset on blocking, while also running the ball. I'd rather be the hammer, not the nail. I'm not going to let you run through my face."

After just having the ball repeatedly handed off to them during their high school careers, having to pass blocking responsibilities to their game at the collegiate level is a massive paradigm shift for most tailbacks.

"In high school, that's not something you really do," Ellison said. "But in college, you have to block. You have the quarterback behind you who is trying to get the ball off, and the offensive line is straining trying to hold off these 300-pound defensive linemen. You have to do your job. You can make a highlight off blocking too."

The Wake Forest rushing attack started cooking early against Army, with Ellison breaking off successive gains of 14 and then 15 yards, with him breaking out a spin move in the latter to get the Deacs to first-and-goal from the three yard line. On an run-pass option on the very next play, Hartman kept the ball in Ellison's gut off the slow mesh and he ran it in for a score to give the Deacs a 14-0 lead in what ended up being a 45-10 victory.

"I didn't know I was going to get the call," Ellison said. "I figured they would bring pressure off the edge. But when Sam let go of the ball, I was happy. The end came up wide and Sam is a veteran quarterback. It was a great opportunity and I was thankful."

He finished the game with 96 yards and one score on just 11 carries, but wasn't at all concerned about eclipsing the century mark.

"It ain't about that," Ellison said. "I had no idea what my yardage was, but it's the win that matters. I just want to stay mello through the highs and lows. Everything will work out."