After three consecutive games with just 11 combined carries, Alabama running backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes saw their workload slightly increase on Saturday.
The talented duo combined for 23 touches, 20 carries and three receptions against South Carolina.
While their involvement has increased, that number isn’t high enough for Kalen DeBoer.
“That number, I think we would love to see that be higher,” DeBoer said at his press conference on Monday.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe leads the team with 77 rushing attempts while Miller and Haynes combine for 90 rushing attempts. Miller leads the team in rushing yards with 360 yards on 51 carries while Haynes has recorded 249 yards on 39 carries.
“Now how come that number is lower? I think it gets taken from some of J-Mill’s carries, which how can you argue with some of that when you’re rattling off some of the runs that he’s had,” DeBoer said. “There’s that fine line of using him and keeping him fresh and using these other guys.”
The duo of Miller and Haynes is a very important piece of the explosive Alabama offense, not just running the ball but also catching it out of the backfield. The increased workload from Saturday is a trend that will need to continue and increase more in the upcoming weeks of the schedule.
"We’ve seen touchdown catches and balls out on routes to both of them,” DeBoer said. “They’re very critical to our offense. They’re extremely athletic. They can do it all. They’re every down backs in their own right. And we need to continue to grow and I think we took another step this week.”
Alabama will travel to Tennessee on Saturday. Kickoff time is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.
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