St. Thomas freshman running back Joe Koch was an unexpected hero last Saturday in the Tommies’ 24-14 victory over Black Hills State, stepping in for injured Gabe Abel and Hope Adebayo to rush for 95 yards in his first collegiate game.
His success did not come without a cost, however, and Tommies head coach Glenn Caruso said the 5-foot-11, 180 pound native of Menomonee Falls, Wis., was banged up in the game to the point that he’s not sure Koch will be available for Saturday’s game at Lindenwood (Mo.).
With Abel and Adebayo ruled out of the game, the Tommies (1-2) could be starting their fifth-string running back as they look to close out the nonconference portion of their scheduled.
The Tommies have sustained key injuries on both sides of the ball. Defensive tackle Emmanuel Olagbaju and cornerback Branden Smith are lost for the season. Wide receiver Jacob Wildermuth will miss his third consecutive game.
Freshman Marc Coy and junior Gus Theisen are the next two running backs on the depth chart. Caruso said the Tommies also could look at giving their fullbacks some carries from the halfback position.
The Tommies have a bye next week, and Caruso said he wasn’t sure if either Abel or Adebayo would be available when the Tommies open Pioneer Football League play at home against Stetson on October 5.
Speaking during the team’s media availability on Thursday, Koch talked as though he expected to start. With the Tommies struggling to throw the football, establishing the running game will be essential. Redshirt freshman Michael Rostberg will start his second consecutive game at quarterback. Caruso said he will have to play with a lot more consistency than he did last week.
“We need to be much more efficient with taking the Level 1 (short) routes when they’re giving them to us,” Caruso said. “And, being able to hit on the deep routes in a manner like we did two weeks ago against Northern Iowa.”
An effective running game will open things up in the passing game, and both Koch and Caruso are confident he can build on last week’s success.
“I felt like there were a couple of runs where I think I could have got it all,” Koch said. “But that’s where the coaching comes in, and that’s where I’ve got to do better.”
Noting that Koch did a good job of protecting the football in his first taste of collegiate action, Caruso believes Koch has a chance to emerge as a key contributor for the Tommies.
“Good speed and good lateral contact balance,” Caruso said. “It’s not just linear. Sometimes when young backs are fast, what’s sacrificed is their vision. On a couple of runs that he was able to pop to the edge, I was impressed with what he was able to see at that speed.”
Koch, who has dreams of one day playing in the NFL, mentioned New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (5-10, 215) as someone he tries to emulate on the field.
“He’s very twitchy — quick — and that’s what I try to resemble,” said Koch, who runs 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. “Just being quick on my feet, (use) my cutting ability.”
Koch tore the labrum in his right hip in the second game of his high school senior season. He managed to play through it before undergoing surgery after the season, but the injury limited his effectiveness.
Caruso believes the injury was the reason why Koch did not receive any other Division I offers.
“That’s been a calling card for us over the years — identifying a player that fits as a junior,” Caruso said. “So, when he’s injured his senior year, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re not going to go on him.
“Over the years, we’ve had very good success with guys who weren’t able to play their senior years. We stayed on them when other schools dropped off.”
The intention entering the season was to redshirt Koch this season. It still could happen if his playing time is limited moving forward, but current circumstances suggest otherwise.
“If he continues to progress and we continue to need him, he could become one of those players who plays in every game,” Caruso said. “Even when other guys come back, you’re still going to need other running backs.
“On top of that, he does a really nice job on special teams, and that’s where we were able to see early that he was tough enough and athletic enough to play on this level.”
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