Back on the field. Tyler Sherden reprises his role as running back for the Norse after serving as a student coach last season. Sherden redshirted the 2006 season recovering from a shoulder injury. (Photo by Tyler Strand).
By Tyler Strand
Sports Illustrated and a whole stable of pigskin pundits are touting this upcoming college football season as "The Year of the Running Back." The title is more than justified for a season that will be chock full of game-breaking performers at the tailback position in Division 1 football.
The same mantra, or perhaps a more fitting "Return of the Running Back," could be applied to this year's Luther football team as Tyler Sherden, a 2004 IIAC all-conference running back, will suit up on the gridiron for the first time in nearly two years.
Sherden, an All-American track standout, sprang through with a conference leading 1,057 yards complemented by 14 touchdowns that season (2004). Not too shabby for a guy who took over the position a couple weeks into the season.
His presence was also felt on special teams where Sherden's blistering 400 speed helped him accumulate 664 yards and a touchdown on kick returns. He tallied another 80 yards receiving. Adding it all up, Sherden rang up a grand total of 1,801 all-purpose yards, the best in the conference.
Sherden was on track to top those numbers midway through the 2005 campaign before he suffered separated ribs and a shoulder injury, sidelining him for the duration of the season as well as the next, which he chose to redshirt after having shoulder surgery in June 2006.
Stating Sherden is excited to get back on the field would be a drastic understatement and proclaiming that the Norse are ready to erase the thoughts of last year's 2-8 season would be a tad subtle as well. Bad memories aside, it's unlikely Sherden wants to erase all of them as he took an active role along the sideline as a student coach, leaving him with a whole new understanding of the game in more ways than one.
"I've learned to appreciate the game a lot more and to take advantage of every day I get to play," said Sherden.
Working with the coaches from the outside has also improved his knowledge of the game, which he feels can translate onto the field.
Sherden, who played primarily strong safety and free safety with some kick return duties during his freshmen year, switched to running back a couple weeks into his sophomore season learning a lot of the offense on the fly.
"Back then (2004) I learned a few running plays and kind of went off that. I understand the offense a lot better now," said Sherden.
Luther Coach Paul Hefty is hopeful the experience will pay dividends this fall.
"It gave him a chance to see the whole picture from a different perspective. Hopefully it's improving his grasp of the offense better," said Hefty.
Despite Sherden's absence, Luther had no problem moving the ball in 2006 as they boasted the Iowa Conference's most proficient offense at 445.5 yards a game though they struggled to put games away in crunch time. With the return of their top running back and preseason All-American guard Jon Stavast, the team is optimistic they will get back on the winning side.
"Tyler has proven to help this team win, it's that simple," said Hefty.
Sherden has noticed the same kind of enthusiasm and confidence in his teammates.
"The team has a really good attitude. Last year was last year and we're all really motivated to get going," said Sherden.
Sherden, Stavast and the rest of a motivated Luther squad, will get a chance to start anew when they open their season on the road Saturday, Sept. 1 at St. Olaf. Whether it's the run, the pass or the defense that leads to victories, let's hope it's "The Year of the Norse." No scratch that. "Return of the Norse".
