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Friday, September 06, 2002

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

A little more than two weeks ago, sophomore Marcus Furman was an injured backup wide receiver for the Pitt Panthers.

	Confronted by defenders, Panthers running back Marcus Furman jukes to break free in Pitt's victory against Ohio University. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette) Chuck Finder Pitt misread John Hancock signs Football Q & A with Shelly Anderson

Now, he is the team's starting tailback.

Coach Walt Harris announced yesterday that Furman, who was switched from receiver to running back at the end of training camp, would start at tailback tomorrow when the Panthers play host to Texas A&M. Furman was the third string tailback last week, but he has moved ahead of starter Raymond Kirkley and backup Brandon Miree.

"Marcus will start because of the way he played last week in the game and in practice," said Harris. "[Running backs coach Shawn] Simms feels he is a little bit tighter in his execution of our offense, and he is doing the best overall job of any of our running backs. I'd still like to play all three guys, but, if one guy is executing better than the others, then you have to keep him in there.

"This game is about execution."

Harris had said earlier in the week that he was unhappy with the running game in the team's 27-14 win Saturday against Ohio University. The Panthers rushed for only 96 yards, and Harris singled out Miree and Kirkley as having subpar games. But the news is still a bit of a surprise because the tailback situation was supposed to be settled long ago.

Kirkley, the returning starter, and Miree, an Alabama transfer, had been practicing at tailback throughout the spring and in training camp, while Furman spent most of his time at receiver. Furman also missed about eight days of training camp with a hip flexor injury and wasn't at full speed until early last week.

On the other hand, it isn't that surprising because when Furman, a Connellsville High School graduate and one of the all-time leading rushers in WPIAL history, has been given a chance to play, he has made things happen. Last week, he ran only six times for 15 yards but showed a quickness and athleticism the other two tailbacks don't have.

And late last season when Kirkley was injured, Furman stepped in and was a big factor in the team's 23-17 win against West Virginia. He rushed nine times for 72 yards and also threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kris Wilson. The next week, he rushed 17 times for 71 yards in the team's 24-6 win against UAB.

Despite the success, Furman was switched in the spring because the Panthers had a shortage of receivers. They also were loaded at halfback with Kirkley, Miree and Tim Murphy challenging for the starting job.

But backup fullback Dustin Picciotti gave up football in training camp, so Murphy was moved to fullback. In addition, the young wide receivers progressed far quicker than coaches had anticipated. That opened the door for Furman to move back to tailback, his natural position.

The one knock against him is that, at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, he is too small to be a featured back in Division I. This gives him an opportunity to prove he is an every-down back and not just a change-of-pace guy.

"I'd love to change that perception of me," he said, "It would be a pounding because I'm only about 180 pounds, but I know that I can do it if I get the opportunity. I can't run into people like the other two guys, but I can make people miss and I am little quicker than those two guys.

"I know I can run the ball 20 or 25 times a game and would love to, but I'll take what I can get. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks I can do, as long as Coach Harris thinks I can do it, I know I can do it and I will."

Furman's smooth transition to running back isn't a surprise because has made the move twice before. He also played the position full time at Connellsville, rushing for 5,041 career yards including a state-record 455 in one game.

He is being thrown into the fire against the Aggies' Wrecking Crew defense that is one of the nation's best and hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 13 consecutive games. Furman said he is ready for the challenge.

"They can be intimidating, but you can't focus on nicknames and how good the defenders are," he said. "The way I look at it is, you have to play your game. Regardless of how good a team is, all I need is one gap. Just one gap, and I can make a big play."

NOTES -- Harris said defensive tackle Tyre Young, a Woodland Hills graduate, will play tomorrow afternoon. Young was suspended during training camp and missed the opener. ... Also, senior Shawn Robinson will again start at cornerback over junior Shawntae Spencer, another Woodland Hills graduate.

Paul Zeise can be reached at pzeise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1720.