LORMAN The Alcorn State backfield is a little crowded these days.

While some schools use a running-back-by-committee approach to moving the football on the ground, the Braves’ rushing attack more closely resembles a board meeting.

Alcorn has totaled 947 rushing yards this season, an average of 135.3 per game, but no back has more than 350 yards. The team’s leading rusher, Andrew Burks, has 333 yards, but backup Sidney Dumas is averaging twice as many yards per carry.

In all, six running backs have carried the ball at least 19 times this season, four have over 100 yards, three have at least one 90-yard game to their credit, and four different backs have led the team in rushing in a single game.

It’s all part of head coach Johnny Thomas’ plan for the Alcorn running attack, which has overcome its lack of a featured back to rank third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and helped propel the Braves to a 5-2 start, their best in eight years.

“It gives the defense trouble, because they can’t settle in on one given back,” Thomas said. “When you have two or three backs that can do many things, it creates uncertainty in the defense and the defense can’t get a flow for the running game.”

Like a craftsman choosing his tools, the Alcorn coaches have several backs to fit in each situation. Burks and Dumas, both junior college transfers, have the most speed and are the primary backs.

Robert Lester, who is nursing a leg injury, and Albert Jones, a 228-pound fullback, are the tough power runners. Jones, a junior, has nearly matched his 2001 yardage total with 123 yards this season. He had 135 yards all of last season.

“Everybody’s got their own running style. Speed, power, quickness,” Burks said.

Although the split playing time could create an unhealthy atmosphere, Dumas said that wasn’t the case. He said the backs aren’t competing to take carries away from their teammates, just to outdo each other when they get the chance.

“The only competitive part about it is when (Burks) comes out of the game. I’m going in there and I’m going to try and outdo him,” said Dumas, who has run for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. “That wins ballgames. That makes it hard on opponents.”

With Alcorn’s offense clicking, Thomas added that there was little chance of abandoning the unusual approach to running the football. Alcorn lost to Samford 34-25 on Saturday, but is averaging 30.3 points per game.

Only one team, Division II Fort Valley State, has held the Braves under 25 points. Alcorn still managed to win that game, 10-7.

“If we continue to be efficient with what we’re doing, unless somebody gets hurt, I see all … of them getting the amount of time that they deserve,” Thomas said.