Junior quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) and running back Wenkers Wright (32) have proven to be dangerous run-pass option combination this season. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
Depth has always been important in football, but perhaps it’s even more so in the transfer portal era.
When All-American running back Mason King went down with a season-ending injury in Illinois State’s Aug. 31 opener against Iowa, the Redbirds turned to junior Wenkers Wright.
“The same thing happened (in 2022) when (then-starter) Cole Mueller broke his leg in the first game at Wisconsin,” Wright said. “It’s unfortunate, but at the same time we have that next man up mentality.”
Wright parlayed that 2022 opportunity into a 625-yard rushing season that earned him a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team.
While Mueller ultimately moved on to FCS Lindenwood, King burst onto the scene last season. The transfer from FBS Northern Illinois nearly rushed for 1,000 yards and was chosen as the MVFC Newcomer of the Year.
King’s emergence meant Wright was limited to 36 carries in 2023.
Yet, Wright never wavered in his commitment to Illinois State. He has repeatedly told Prairie State Pigskin that he never thought of entering the transfer portal.
While that certainly comes from being happy as both a student and an athlete at ISU, it may also come from his upbringing.
Wright was born in Haiti before being adopted from an orphanage by Shawn and Betsy Wright and raised in Floyds Knobs, Ind., which lies a short distance from Louisville, Ky.
“One of my core values instilled in me growing up by my parents is being patient. Patience is everything. Growing up, they taught me that God has a bigger plan for you than you can have for yourself. So you never want to demand anything or rush anything,” Wright said.
Patience may well be a virtue, but not necessarily when it’s time to get the football and go.
Wright leads Illinois State with 640 yards on 133 carries this season. He produced three consecutive games of more than 100 yards in September.
Those numbers placed him third among MVFC rushers as Illinois State entered its bye week.
That yardage will likely grow Saturday when the 21st-ranked Redbirds (5-3 overall, 2-2 MVFC) host Youngstown State (2-6, 1-3) at 2 p.m. in the first of four remaining league games.
The Penguins rank among the worst defenses in the MVFC against the run.
While Wright is quick to credit his offensive line, it’s also a two-way street.
“To start, Wenkers is just a wonderful guy,” right tackle Jake Pope said. “He’s someone who takes pride in developing and maintaining a relationship with every one of his offensive linemen.
“From that, we’re very vocal with each other. We talk, and he knows how we’re going to do things. With the explosion that he has, he’s on the same page with us. It doesn’t surprise me when explosive plays come out of that.”
Other options
Yet Wright is far from the only talent in the ISU backfield.
Wheaton St. Francis graduate Tommy Rittenhouse has emerged from what was originally billed as a two-quarterback system to take the reins of the Redbird offense.
In addition to improving his throwing ability, the junior puts opposing defenses on edge with the run-pass option.
“If they try to take my running game away, we have a quarterback who can run,” Wright said. “He’s as good, if not faster, than us as running backs. It’s a really comforting feeling. More times than not, they tackle me (on a run-pass option), and I look up and Tommy is in the end zone.
“And if they want to stop his run, that opens it up for me as a running back.”
It also opens it up for true freshman Matt Lawson, who has emerged in recent weeks as the first running back off the bench to spell Wright.
“I wanted to become better and learn from the older backs. I wanted to just develop and play some college ball,” Lawson said.
The 5-foot-10, 225-pounder has done more than that. He caught the coaching staff’s attention and moved steadily up the depth chart.
“(I told myself) focus on your path because everybody is moving at different paces,” Lawson said. “Don’t compare myself to other running backs in other leagues or at different schools, but just move at my own pace. I will be where God wants me.”
Wright no longer views Lawson as a first-year player.
“Matt is going to have a very bright career here at ISU. One of the things that impressed me with him is how quickly he learns,” Wright said.
Then there’s the pure athleticism.
“I’ve seen him hurdle two guys. On one of his first carries in college, he hurdled somebody. He’s so smooth. He runs the ball well. He has good vision. He’s light on his feet. And he’s just getting started,” Wright said.
Lawson played his first three prep seasons at Elgin High School before spending his senior year at Hoffman Estates. He totaled 2,743 all-purpose yards as a prep athlete.
Upon his arrival at Illinois State, Lawson was issued No. 25, jersey digits previously worn by Marshaun Coprich and James Robinson, the top two career-leading rushers in program history.
“I’m excited to add onto that,” Lawson said. “My confidence has improved for sure. I was a big fish in high school, but coming into college, I’m a small fish again. Playing in more games and practices have definitely improved my confidence.”
Wright, the upperclassman, and Lawson, the rookie, have bonded in the backfield.
“Wenk doesn’t shy away from contact. He doesn’t get scared when he sees someone in front of him. He’s a big downhill back who loves contact and is going to get those (tough) yards,” the freshman said.
It improved enough for the Illinois State coaching staff to make the decision to play Lawson in more than four games, meaning this year cannot be used as his redshirt season.
“I was basically told, ‘If you can help out the team, then you’re going to play.’ It truly is a blessing. Not a lot of freshmen get to burn their redshirt and actively play and help out the team,” Lawson said.
Mutual admiration
“He’s a true leader, a role model,” Lawson said of Wright. “He’s kind of like a big brother/uncle in the running back room. I ask him questions all the time, and he’s got the right answer.
“He’s a great running back. Someone I’d like to style my game after.”
Wright sees similarities between his style and Lawson’s, but with a difference.
“We both have pretty good vision, but I’m not going to lie, he moves a little bit better than me when it comes to running downhill,” he said. “I’m more of a power back. I make maybe one cut and get downhill.
“He’s a little more patient. He lets things develop. We both hit the hole extremely hard. We both get everything that we possibly can.”
As a result, Illinois State possesses a strong 1-2 punch at running back.
“Both guys are great backs,” Pope said.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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