Spotlight On...Devin West, Missouri Running Back -- Tigers' West Makes A Run

No longer part of a committee, Devin West has become Missouri's chief operating officer.

The 6-foot-2, 222-pound senior from Moberly, Mo., not only has played a major role in Missouri's 6-1 rise to No. 19 prominence, but his coach thinks he should be in the Heisman Trophy race.

"When you're the No. 2 rusher in the country behind another guy who's a legitimate candidate, you certainly should be considered," Tiger Coach Larry Smith said.

West is the only running back among the nation's top three who is not named Ricky Williams. Ricky Williams of Texas is No. 1 in rushing with his average of 204.17 yards. West is No. 2 at 175.17. Ricky Williams of Texas Tech is No. 3 at 167.8.

Ricky Williams of Texas is considered the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

West's Heisman candidacy never has gotten off the ground, for two reasons: 1) last season he was Missouri's fourth leading rusher as part of a committee of running backs; 2) a Missouri spokesman said Tiger publicists concentrated on promoting quarterback Corby Jones for Heisman Trophy and All-America status at the start of this season.

Smith said he has no regrets about not playing West more last year, when the Tigers finished 7-5.

"You go with what you've got, how you're doing it and what's working," Smith said. "We had an excellent two-tailback system. The guys were fresh, and we usually didn't have to worry about injuries . . . I usually don't look back on things like that."

By rushing for 93 yards on 26 carries in Missouri's 20-6 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday, West became only the fourth Tiger to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. He is on a pace to become Missouri's season and career record-holder for rushing.

West's most productive games were against Kansas, when he gained 319 yards, and against Iowa State, when he netted 252 on 40 carries.

"I never thought I'd have 40 carries in a game," West said. "Every week it seems that they ask more of me. That's what I'm here for. That's my job."