By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: Petepelegrin

You probably have to go back about seven years to find the talent and depth that FIU currently features in its offensive backfield.

In 2010 the Panthers had a rugged lead back in Darriet Perry, who set the program record with 16 rushing touchdowns that year. Darrian Mallary was the quick, shifty back that averaged nearly six yards per carry. Jeremiah Harden provided the pop running the ball and then-freshman Kedrick Rhodes was a combination of all the backs. Not to mention FIU handed off the ball 30 times to a speedster named T.Y. Hilton that season. The same T.Y. Hilton that led the NFL in receiving last year.

To no surprise the 2010 Panthers established FIU single-season program rushing records that still stand to this day.

Fast forward to 2017 and FIU is employing a quartet of backs with diverse talents that has fueled a 4-2 start. The four backs are on pace to rush for the second most yards in program history and have the second most rush yards per game in FIU history.

Like the 2010 FIU backfield, opposing defenses have to prepare for different FIU rushing styles this season.

FIU's all-time leading rusher Alex Gardner is a quick and shifty back. At 225 pounds Shawndarrius Phillips brings the muscle and power. Napoleon Maxwell, a 6-0, 215-pound junior, not only has the size but he also might be the fastest back. Although freshman D'Vonte Price, 6-2, 194 pounds, might have a say in who is the fastest back. Price is physically very similar to Maxwell as he showed in his collegiate debut in FIU's last game. Price ran six times for 51 yards against Tulane.

"They do a good job every day competing with one another and that's allowed us to use multiple guys in different games," FIU running backs coach Tim Harris said. "Everybody kind of compliments each other really well. When they all see each other doing well it feeds them to do well in all three phases. They block for each other. They all run the ball solid and they are catching the ball decently."

The FIU team rushing record is 2,438 yards set by the 2010 Panthers, who won the Sun Belt Conference championship and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl over Toledo. The 2017 FIU team is on pace to finish with 2,290 rushing yards, which would place them second all-time at FIU, nearly 400 yards more than the 2011 FIU team ran (1,903 yards).

The 2017 Panthers are averaging 163.6 rushing yards per game. That also would be the second highest rushing yards per game by an FIU team. The 2010 Panthers ran for 187.5 yards per game.

Besides their physical talents, the Panthers backs are succeeding because they don't care who gets the credit. The backs support whoever is toting the ball.

"We all bring something different to the game so you can't just focus on one thing," said Gardner, who leads FIU with 385 rushing yards. "With more guys on the field it's keeping my legs a lot fresher. Everybody is pretty healthy and you see it out on the field. We're all pushing each other to be better."

FIU coach Butch Davis said the Panthers initially used a running back by committee because of some minor injuries. Davis would like to continue to use at least three backs each game.

"I'm happy with the way the running backs are playing," Davis said. "How well they play with the ball is a part of it. How well they play without the ball is a bigger part. Whether it's running around, pass protection, blitz pickup. That part of it I have been very pleased with."

The Panthers rushers like the unique way they are used during the game. FIU backs relish that defenses have to be on their toes as to which Panther will be carrying the ball at a certain point in the game.

"I would say it's tough for defenses because you don't know what back you are going to get and which down he is going to play," Maxwell said. "We have different backs that can do different things at different times. When coach calls our numbers we are ready to go. Stay warm and get ready to go."