Davis optimistic about running attack

DURHAM — North Carolina coach Butch Davis said Thursday he is optimistic about his team's running game after watching wide-receiver-turned-running-back Greg Little average 123 yards in the final two games of last season.

But Little can't do it alone.

"I don't think that solely by himself, he's going to be the answer,'' Davis said. "I think he's going to be an enormous part of our success running the football, but we're going to need more people than just Greg Little.

"Possibly Anthony Elzy ... incoming freshman Jamal Womble, Ryan Houston, all those guys. It won't necessarily be running back by committee, but there is room for every single one of those guys to contribute to our running game."

The running attack was one of the least consistent parts of Carolina's offense last season, as several different tailbacks started before Little made the switch.

Practice begins Aug. 1.

"We weren't very smart last year,'' Davis said. "It took us till the 10th game of the season to find out that maybe the best running back we had on the football team was playing wide receiver."