KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Emmanuel Moody said he doesn't care about being a feature back. He just wants to have a role on a team.
If that's true, then Saturday's 30-6 humiliation against Tennessee was a good sign.
Moody, who transferred from Southern Cal last year, was finally a major part of the offense Saturday as he led the Gators with 55 yards on the ground in nine attempts.
And that beats the heck out of the 2 yards on two carries he's earned so far this season.
"I just knew I was going to get a carry," Moody said. "and whatever I do with that carry, I guess that would depend on the number of carries I get throughout the game. I felt I was running hard today."
So did his coach.
"We're all about taking care of the ball," Meyer said. "Emmanuel Moody was very tight with the football. I know he's talented, but that's not the issue. I thought he took care of the ball. I mean really took care of the ball."
It was the most carries Moody has had in a game since 2006 when he was still with the Trojans.
"I feel good, but I'm not going to get too excited," Moody said. "Next game I might not even play. It's not good to get too excited because when you get too excited you go with your emotions."
Many fans were expecting Moody to take over the running attack, but it hasn't been that way so far. While 55 yards is no breakout, it is a sign that he's at least a part of the offense.
"(The coaches) just want a back who will make people miss, run hard, follow blocks and have a lot of juice about them," Moody said.
While Kestahn Moore has faded out as the starting running back coach Urban Meyer wanted him to be - Moore had no carries Saturday - he still makes an impact with whoever's on the field.
"When you're down, he'll lift you up," Moody said of Moore. "He's a great team leader."
He might have to do some lifting up to some of the other backs now. Freshman Jeff Demps had no carries against Tennessee and Chris Rainey wasn't involved until late when the game was out of hand.
"We all have games where we've done well," Moody said. "Rainey, Demps, Kestahn they all can do the same thing. It's really no credit to me. We can all do the same stuff."
