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They’ve been part of Winona State University’s football program for six years and bring with them a similar passion to the field.
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Winona State running back Randy Spring cuts around a defender during a drill Wednesday. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
They don’t always understand how and why, but Randy Spring and Carey Rottman often are mistaken for each other.
Both are sixth-year running backs for the Warriors who finally are getting their chance to shine.
They’re sharing carries in the backfield, returning punts and kickoffs and doing their best to make a name for themselves.
The latter, it seems, remains the hardest part.
“I’ve had them confused for five years,” WSU coach Tom Sawyer said. “If I’m talking to one, I’ll call him the other name. They’re like Frick and Frack, those guys, but it’s really been fun.”
Spring is 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, a senior from Elgin, Minn. Rottman, 5-7 and 170, is a senior from Mequon, Wis.
The two have been roommates for five years, perhaps adding to the confusion.
“Everybody sees us together,” Spring said. “We’re roommates and live together and we’re both running backs going to the same meetings.
“When you look at us, I’m bald and he has long hair. It’s frustrating, but I can see how people get us confused.”
The funny thing is even Rottman has found himself wondering who is who. On film, it’s hard to tell one from the other.
Spring wears No. 3 and Rottman is No. 4. In practice, often the only way to differentiate is to look for a red (Spring) or orange (Rottman) shirt under the practice jerseys.
“I guess we have similar styles and have the same build and are about the same height,” Rottman said. “We’ve been here for six years now and the coaches still mess up our names.”
This season, both are expected to hear their names called often. The two join fellow senior Andrew Verbancouer, a fullback, and junior tailback Darren Davis, currently injured, in a running attack by committee.
Spring had 10 carries for 48 yards in the season opener Saturday, earning team offensive MVP honors in the 26-21 loss at Michigan Tech.
Rottman also had 10 carries for 46 yards, while Verbancouer had 46 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown.
“It can be tough at times, but the upside is it keeps us all fresh,” Rottman said. “On the other hand, sometimes it’s hard to find a rhythm. You can’t get into the game the way you need to be.”
It’s been that way at running back around WSU as long as Spring and Rottman have been around.
The Warriors like to spread carries, despite the success they found last season with Alex Wiese.
Wiese became the every-down back early in the season and set a school record with 1,458 yards.
That limited the carries for the rest of the backs. Spring finished 354 yards rushing, while Rottman had 241. Each scored one touchdown.
Though they played in every game, it also didn’t help that Spring and Rottman battled injuries, something that has plagued them nearly all their careers.
Spring, in fact, missed the entire 2004 season after tearing his hamstring, an injury that was so bad the hamstring pulled entirely away from the bone.
The injury came in the final scrimmage before the start of the season, in which Spring was slated to be the No. 1 running back.
He was granted a medical redshirt that season, allowing his to compete this season, his sixth with the Warriors.
“When I had the injury, it was weird to think I had five more years,” Spring said. “When the doctors told me that season was unplayable, I thought what’s wrong with one more year before I hit the real world.
“I get to play football with a bunch of guys I love hanging out with. But now that I look and it’s my last year, I wonder where all the time went.”
Rottman took a different route to his sixth year. He redshirted as a freshman, then missed the 2004 season for disciplinary reasons.
He was convicted in April 2004 of assault in the fourth degree, obstructing process with force, giving a false name and date of birth to an officer and underage consumption.
Athletes are allowed 10 semester to complete their eligibility. This is Rottman’s final semester.
“It’s had its ups and downs,” Rottman said. “The year sitting out, I wanted to be here with the guys and that wasn’t able to happen.
“Overall, it’s been positive and a good experience. You can’t beat the guys you’re out here with.”
Perhaps the biggest compliment to Spring and Rottman is that they’ve been asked to be leaders this season.
While neither is real demonstrative on the field, they set an example with their work ethic.
Spring was diving on and over piles at practice this week and both are constants in the weight room.
“We have freshmen and sophomores who don’t want to put in all the work, but you look over at Carey and Randy and their busting their butt for the betterment of the team,” Sawyer said. “They’re perfect team guys.
“That’s a long time to be dedicated to college football, especially when you’re not always playing or have been hurt. At some point, don’t you wonder, ‘Why am I still doing this?’ They never wavered; they wanted to play through it.”
The two certainly will be key to the success of the team this season. A consistent ground game will open up an offense that has been known to put up big numbers and a lot of points.
As for sharing carries, neither minds as long as their final season is something to remember.
“I see great things out of both of us this season,” Rottman said.
Or maybe it was Spring.
