With Arizona State’s surprising 2018 campaign winding down, running back Eno Benjamin is just 270 yards from passing Woody Green for the top spot on the school’s all-time, single-season rushing list.
The sophomore will enter Saturday’s game at Oregon as the nation’s fourth-leading rusher with 1,295 yards. He’s averaging nearly six yards per carry, and has been the backbone of the Sun Devils’ late-season push for a Pac-12 championship berth.
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“We knew we weren’t too far from where we wanted to be,” Benjamin said. “The four games we lost were all by seven points, so we knew if we got the right things clicking, it was only a matter of time before we got going and that’s what we’ve finally been able to do these past couple of weeks.”
Benjamin’s importance to the Arizona State offense can’t be overstated. He’s rushed for at least 130 yards in seven of the Sun Devils’ 10 games in 2018, including a spectacular 312-yard, three-touchdown performance in the team’s 52-24 win over Oregon State in September.
His impressive body of work is a stark contrast to his workload of only 23 carries a year ago. And despite his incredible production this season, Benjamin has remained as humble as ever — something Arizona State offensive coordinator Rob Likens recognizes.
“He handles it like a pro,” Likens said. “He’s just such a great kid, and he’s very humble. I’ve never heard him say one thing bragging about himself — ever. He’s very quiet. Smiles. Gives praise to the offensive line and just goes about his business. It’s pretty special.”
Running backs coach John Simon says that Benjamin’s elevation to elite status this season has been mostly attributed to his work off the field. Specifically, Benjamin has been spending hours in Simon’s office, breaking down video to understand the intricacies of the defenses he faces every week. It’s the small things that make all the difference.
“We study the little things about the backers and how they fit the run, how the defensive end is going to play the run, how the defensive tackle is going to play the run. … He’s just detailed in being a pro at his craft,” Simon said. “There’s one thing with your talent, but the other side of your talent is your craft – what you understand about your position and your opponent. We pride ourselves on knowing our opponent as much as they know themselves.”
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Benjamin has also taken the time to develop a deeper understanding of his offensive line and the responsibilities of each player in that room. During games, Benjamin is often seen on the sideline following drives comparing notes with offensive line coach Dave Christensen, regardless of whether the team scored.
How many running backs coached by Simon over the years have shared similar interest? According to Simon: “all the ones that are really good.”
“Eno spends a lot of time with us,” Christensen said. “He comes into our room, and I spend a lot of time with Eno on the sideline during games. He’s a student of the game. He’s really into it, which makes it easier for an offensive line and an offensive line coach because he wants to understand all the schemes. He’s great in pass protection. He understands the protection schemes, the blocking schemes for the run game and he gives me input on the sidelines when he comes off. We have a great relationship.”
Benjamin admits that he’s “not the biggest, not the fastest, not the strongest” running back in the country, so operating with this level of detail has given him a competitive edge in 2018.
“He might come back and say, ‘Here’s what they’re doing on this particular play, what do you think about if we ran the play that’s built off that one,’ Christensen said. “He just gives me feedback of what he’s seeing and what he thinks. It’s not like we design new plays. We have a list of plays. He’ll say, ‘What about if we run this this way?’ And we’ll make adjustments. ‘Here’s how we’re going to block it this time, look for the cutback to be here.'”
Benjamin could have as many as four games to topple Green’s mark, if a Pac-12 title game is included. The Sun Devils already have qualified for a bowl berth.
Barring injury, Benjamin should reach the milestone simply by performing at his usual level – for most running backs, that’s not an easy task. After Tuesday’s practice, Benjamin told the media that his preparation leading into these games has been “business as usual.”
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However, he knows that he was recruited by Simon for a number of reasons, and none include being average. Benjamin welcomes the idea of being mentioned among the best running backs in program history. It was his goal from Day One.
“That’s what I came here to do,” Benjamin said. “I knew what my skill set was capable of and just going out there, having a coach that trusts in me such as Coach Simon, our offensive coaches and Coach Herm as well. I think I was able to put this in perspective that I was able to do this.
“There were a lot of good running backs to come through this school. Just to be up there with those guys is a great feeling.”
Benjamin knows not to talk about personal accolades until after the season. And even then, he still probably won’t. Right now, Benjamin is focused on doing his part to help his 6-4 Arizona State team win a Pac-12 championship. In his mind, everything else is irrelevant.
“It’s called being humble,” Simon said. “You have to respect this game. You have to be respectful to this game because this game can be taken away from you. I’m the only guy that gets to talk about the trophies and the accomplishments because I’m old and washed up, so in the offseason, we’ll look back and we’ll talk about all the things we’ve accomplished. But right now, it’s not the time to really focus on those things because then you’ll lose humility.
“Eno, he’s a smart kid, he gets it.”
(Photo: Chris Coduto / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)