Gillislee Ready to Run with Long-Awaited Opportunity
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mike Gillislee talks softly, delivering his words in short bursts. Those closest to him say he is an ultimate team player, the kind of guy who doesn't complain, does his job and comes back the next day ready to work.
But when Gillislee takes a handoff, another side of his personality comes out. He makes his presence known like a sledgehammer punching away at a sidewalk.
“I feel like every time I run the ball, I never know when I'm going to get it again,'' Gillislee said Tuesday “So I try to run it as hard as I can when I got it.''
Gators coach Will Muschamp has noticed. So has offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Muschamp said Monday that Gillislee is a player the Gators “need to get some more touches.''
Weis likes that idea as well after watching Gillislee spark the offense in the second half at LSU, rushing nine times for a team-high 56 yards.
It's not like Gillislee has been an invisible man during his three years with the Gators. The junior from DeLand has played since he got here, racking up 834 career yards in 31 games. He has also rushed for 10 touchdowns, including a career-high 60-yard score in Florida's 48-10 win at Kentucky last month.
But ever since Gillislee has been around, so have Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. They have taken the bulk of the carries the past three seasons. Trey Burton joined the equation last season, getting some of the carries that Gillislee may have otherwise gotten.
However, with Florida's running game slowed the past two games – the Gators averaged 259 yards rushing in their first four games but only 64 in losses to Alabama and LSU – Gillislee showed the kind of toughness the Gators need as they head to No. 24-ranked Auburn on Saturday seeking to sack a two-game losing streak.
“He brings a lot to the table, said Rainey, who ranks seventh in the SEC in rushing at 77.8 yards per game. “I love when he runs the ball. I guess he is going to play a lot more. I can't wait to see that.''
While Rainey and Demps are speedsters who pick up the bulk of their yards off the edges, Gillislee prefers to bulldoze his way between the tackles and use his vision and quickness to do the rest.
“He likes to run in there,'' Weis said. “Most running backs can't get to the outside fast enough. He likes contact. Getting hit is part of his game. He plays way bigger than his size.''
Gillislee is listed at 5-foot-11, 198 pounds. He said Tuesday that he is up to 205 pounds. The extra weight helps him withstand the initial hits at the line of scrimmage from defensive linemen that may have 100 pounds on him.
In his final three seasons at DeLand High, Gillislee rushed for more than 3,000 yards. He immediately played on special teams and sparingly in the backfield as a freshman. Prior to his 60-yard score at Kentucky, Gillislee's longest run was a 52-yard dash in the 2010 Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati.
Center Jonotthan Harrison said Gillislee's vision and toughness make him a dangerous threat when he gets the ball.
“He's a hard runner,'' Harrison said. “He is just bringing this little extra oomph we need maybe in the backfield.
“It's exciting to see.''
If Harrison is pumped to have Gillislee getting more carries, think about how Gillislee must feel after staying patient for his turn behind Demps and Rainey. Despite his lack of attempts, Gillislee said he avoided frustration by always taking a team-first attitude.
With Demps slowed by an ankle injury and the Gators looking to add another dimension to their offense at midseason, Gillislee is ready for his shot to help the Gators.
“I've got two great running backs in front of me,'' Gillislee said. “I've been waiting on this time in my life to stand up and be productive.”
While it's uncertain how much more involved Gillislee will be in the game plan at Auburn, Weis plans to use him.
“Will he get on the field more? Yes, he will get on the field more,'' Weis said. “He's probably the perfect example of a team guy. Most of these guys, they all have illusions of grandeur. He's a lesson for a lot of these guys who are backups.''
Muschamp said he wants to see Gillislee improve his blocking and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield to become more of a complete back.
Gillislee appears to have the running part of his job down.
“He has been really good at reading blocks,'' offensive lineman Kyle Koehne said. “He's got good downfield vision.''
Gillislee faced numerous questions on Tuesday about playing a bigger role. He responded the way you might expect: in a soft tone and with short answers.
He hopes to reveal whatever was left unsaid on his next carry. That's the only way he knows how.
“When I see something, I try to hit it as hard as I can,'' he said. “I'm just staying focused and continuing to do what I've been doing.''
