When Troy State visits the Virginia football team in Charlottesville this weekend, junior tailback DeWhitt Betterson will be looking for his third one-hundred-yard rushing game in four weeks.
Despite a slow start to his junior campaign, Betterson has put the pieces together as of late, including a career-high 157 yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Florida International.
"Afterwards, I was very pleased with the outcome," Betterson said of his career-day.
Early season expectations ran high for Troy State's leading returning rusher on a team that is known for putting the ball on the ground. Betterson averaged seven yards a carry for 711 yards last season and has met expectations head on this year. He is averaging 77 yards per game with four touchdowns seven games into the season.
Troy State comes to Charlottesville sharing the same 4-3 record as the Cavaliers. The Trojans have had a solid season, including an impressive late-September win over Marshall. In the win, Betterson accumulated 114 yards on the ground with a touchdown run.
"Offensively, they're a power running team," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "The running back is a hard ball downhill runner."
The Cavaliers will try to contain the opposing running attack: Something that they struggled with in their losses to South Carolina, Clemson and Florida State. In those games, Virginia allowed 261, 195 and 196 yards on the ground, respectively.
For Troy State to compete with the Cavaliers this weekend, they will have to bring a revived passing attack to accompany their consistent running game.
"If you can keep the defense guessing, that's a big advantage," Betterson said. "If they shut down one thing, we can go to the other."
The Trojans must first make sure that they don't shut themselves out. Trojan quarterback Aaron Leak has averaged a mere 112 passing yards per game this season on less than 18 attempts per game. He has proven himself on his feet, nonetheless, gaining 176 yards on the ground for two touchdowns.
Not only do the Cavaliers have to worry about Betterson in the rushing attack, but also in the return unit. Betterson leads the team with an average of 23.4 yards per take back on kickoff returns.
Troy State does come into the game with much experience against high caliber opponents this season. They have already played both Kansas State and No. 11 Nebraska. Though both games resulted in big losses for the Trojans, they will not be intimidated by the Cavaliers.
"It's our last chance against a big-name team," Betterson said. "We are going to win for ourselves, and try to make a name for ourselves."
Indeed, a win would be a huge one for Troy State. But don't expect the Cavaliers to take the Trojans lightly. Virginia is in desperate need of a win to avoid a three-game losing streak.
The outcome of the contest means big things for both schools, so expect the game to be a thriller.
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