Wildcat RBs ready to roll with Coach Baccarini

Abilene Christian’s running game was one of the Southland’s best in 2019.

• 4.5 yards per carry

• 168.9 yards per game

• 2,027 net yards

• 22 rushing touchdowns

Now add to those numbers a battle-tested offensive line, and another year of vital experience, and it’s very likely the Wildcat backfield will once again be off and running in 2020.

Gone is Tracy James, but back to lead the running back room are three reputable veterans: junior Tyrese White, fifth-year senior Billy McCrary and redshirt junior Conrad Perry. ACU’s incoming freshmen at this position are Jermiah Dobbins – a Mr. Texas Football semifinalist from Lubbock Estacado High School – and Jadon Lewis, whose prep career includes stops at Rockwall-Heath (Texas) High School and IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

In to coach this unit is first-year assistant Bryce Baccarini, who’s worn a number of hats during his four seasons in Abilene.

A high school quarterback for his father, Tony, at Keller Fossil Ridge, Baccarini began his Wildcat career in 2017 at his primary position, but soon transitioned to wide receiver, and was a linebacker a year later.

Baccarini then teamed with offensive coordinator Josh Lamberson in 2019 to be the quarterback student assistant coach during his final year of undergraduate work, due to injuries. Then after two months as defensive coordinator Clint Brown’s graduate assistant for linebackers this spring, he was promoted to running backs coach when J.W. Walsh left to join the Texas Longhorns.

“I was thrilled when I heard from Coach (Adam) Dorrel and Coach (Josh) Lamberson when they asked me to interview for the position,” said Baccarini. “I knew if they trusted and had faith in me to take over the position then I should have faith in myself."

Baccarini’s group is small, but excels in terms of talent, work ethic and leadership.

A quick glance at last year’s stats shows how well all the upperclassmen performed, even when the opportunities were limited.

• Perry averaged 7.1 yards per rush and recorded a 13-yard score vs. Arizona Christian.

• McCrary, who made a splash in 2018 with a 75-yard run at Baylor and 259 all-purpose yards vs. Southeastern Louisiana, was averaging 8.1 yards per carry last year when he suffered a season-ending injury vs. McNeese.

• White averaged 5.6 yards per rush and had carries of 32 yards vs. Sam Houston State and 29 vs. Arizona Christian.

“They’ve all come back hungry to be better,” said Baccarini, “and there’s a willingness to step up and be a leader for the group and the team. The older guys have stepped up in teaching the freshmen the ropes. If younger guys ask questions, I make sure the older guys have a chance to answer it and fill them in so that the leadership goes from the top down in the players’ room.

“I’m super excited about all of them. This is as good a group I could have come into as the new running backs coach at ACU. I let them know every day how grateful I am that they come ready to learn and work.”

The trust and confidence Baccarini instilled in his players has been reciprocated.

“We’ve all liked him from the start,” said White. “He came in with a positive attitude and we picked up on it immediately. He’s also helped us with the offense and dumbed down our steps to make everything a lot simpler along the way. It’s been a great experience.”

McCrary, who was Baccarini’s teammate in 2018, also is enthusiastic about his new position coach.

“The running back room as a whole has really enjoyed having him around because he’s personable. I can sit down and have a conversation with him and we can articulate what needs to be done. It’s a little bit different when someone close to you says something so that’s been helpful. I’m really excited to be coached by him this year.”

McCrary and White have each used the extended offseason to better themselves coming into camp.

White bulked up from 185 to 210 pounds by exercising on his own or through the help of his personal trainer in his hometown of Hamshire, Texas. He’s also bid farewell Little Debbie Honey Buns, replacing those treats with strawberries, bananas and apples.

McCrary’s reporting to camp at 205 pounds, and went ‘old school’ this summer by lifting weights in the garage. 

“With the gyms being closed because of state orders, my family and I went out and bought some weights to work out in the garage,” said McCrary. “I’m also really thankful to be up here for the summer volunteer workouts because they’ve allowed me to get back in the weight room and where I need to be physically for the season.”

“I just grind,” added White. “I do as much as I can to be the best I can and help my teammates the most I can. It’s been a long and gradual process, but I feel like I’m making the right steps.”

Baccarini and McCrary have both been impressed by White’s progress and believe big things are in store for the junior this season. 

“Tyrese’s greatest asset is that he can do so many different things,” said Baccarini, “and now he’s moving probably better than I ever seen him move. He’s become a well-rounded back, moving really well laterally with good speed.” 

“From a mental perspective Tyrese is locked in and ready to go, and physically he’s making cuts that he wasn’t making last year,” said McCrary. “He knows exactly what he’s doing and I’m excited for him and the team. His abilities bring our position considerable depth.”

McCrary, meanwhile, hasn’t lost a step despite not being active for close to a year.

“Billy’s speed is unlike anything people have seen before,” said Baccarini. “If Billy gets to the edge, he’s hard to catch and the numbers speak from themselves. His 2018 season (8.2 yards per rush, 91.5 yards per game) alone shows speed is his greatest asset.”

In recent days the Wildcats lost their highly-anticipated season opener at Texas A&M due to COVID-19 concerns, but a search is ongoing for another opponent to fill that void on Sept. 5. Afterward (Sept. 12) comes the start of the Wildcats’ seventh year in the Southland Conference and nine-straight games against the league’s most recent champions, including Nicholls, Sam Houston, Central Arkansas, plus up-and-coming rivals such as UIW and Stephen F. Austin.

The Wildcats have been middle of the pack the last two years and again are pegged for another seventh-place showing in 2020, but the running backs are confident the team will be successful.

“I just want to see this team become as great as I know we can,” said White. “We’ve been in the running for a while now but never produced. I’m interested to see what this season holds for us.”

“We’ve always had high expectations as a team,” said McCrary, “and our goal should be to go out and win every time. We’re all focused and ready for the season no matter what challenges we face. We can do it. We can succeed.”