Henry gets one more chance to shine
For most of his career, Mario Henry has had to overcome a frustrating pattern of getting injured just when it seems as if he will turn the corner toward becoming an outstanding player.
There is no question that the University at Buffalo senior tailback can play. With starter Ike Nduka and backup Brandon Thermilus questionable for Saturday's game at Western Michigan (3-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) with high ankle sprains, Henry has returned to the depth chart and could earn his first start of the season.
Henry earned his most extensive work of the season last week after Nduka and Thermilus were injured and rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in UB's victory over Akron.
"Mario has shown that he has ability," UB coach Turner Gill said. "He can make people miss and he has shown good speed but to me it's more of a question of durability."
Two seasons ago after moving from cornerback to tailback, Henry raised some eyebrows with a career-high 125 yards on 17 carries in a rout over Temple, and completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Ernest Jackson on a halfback option at Penn State. He was the team's leading rusher until he was slowed the last seven games of that season with a knee injury.
Then last year Henry played in the first seven games before another knee injury forced him to miss the next six games. He didn't return until the International Bowl in January. This season, however, Henry has been healthy aided by a weight loss of 10 pounds that he says has helped his knees.
"I've been injured the last couple of seasons and this year I feel good about my weight and my knees haven't given me any problems," Henry said. "I think about it sometimes but I just see it as God's plan and it was meant for me to get hurt. I just keep working hard."
Still, at times, Henry wonders what might have been. Some observers close to the UB program insist Henry was one the reasons James Starks blossomed into an NFL-caliber tailback: The competition made him better. The knee injuries hindered Henry from reaching his full potential.
"I don't know, some people said I could have been really good," Henry said. "I think I could have helped out a lot more if I would have been healthy but we'll never know now."
When Starks went down with a season-ending shoulder injury that cleared the way for Henry to earn more carries, Henry uncharacteristically committed two fumbles against Pittsburgh.
"You probably go through a spell when you lose some confidence," UB offensive coordinator Danny Barrett said. "He was disappointed in himself because he's always protected the football and then go out there and have it hit the ground a couple of times was not like him."
Then the emergence of Nduka cut into Henry's playing time. The fumbles against Pitt weren't a factor but Gill couldn't risk giving him 20 to 25 carries a game.
"Guys are going to make mistakes and fumble the ball here and there but it's more about durability," Gill said. "Hopefully he can continue to hold up well, he's had issues with the knees."
After Nduka and Thermilus went down against Akron, Henry scored what proved to be the winning touchdown with 5:59 left.
"It shows the kind of person he is: A "don't quit' kind of attitude and never give up," Barrett said. "He has an attitude like, "If I have an opportunity to show them again, I'm going to get it done.' We always tell them, "Be ready to go,' and he always says, "OK, Coach.' "
If the Bulls (3-4, 1-2) can have a solidified, healthy Henry, their chances of challenging Temple for the division title would be more realistic. UB needs Henry, Nduka and Thermilus to play. If they go down, there is a fairly large drop off in experience and talent.
"Last week showed what type of back he is and we have confidence in him on the football field to get the job done," Barrett said. "He's a dependable back and that's the thing that surprised us early in the year. He has an opportunity to redeem himself and that's a good situation."
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