By Darren Sands

Running back coach Carlton Goff leaned up against a soda machine outside the visitor’s locker room at Stony Brook and his smile told the story. After all, he is delighted at what he witnessed of his main project, Terry Crenshaw. The unassuming Crenshaw is in another room alongside his Florida homeboy Prentice James, but player and coach are on the same page.

“He came out and played. He really needed to have a big game and come out and perform the way I know he’s capable, and I’m proud of him,” Goff said. Crenshaw ran for 135 yards behind a stellar performance by an offensive line that is bigger and better behind offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski.

“Anytime a coach can say something like that about his player it makes you feel good. Especially with the game I just had. He’s been teaching me, and I’ve been learning from him everyday,” Crenshaw said.

The Sarasota, Fla. native had a big game amid criticism that he may not be as sure-handed as once thought, and that he is not the type of blocker that the Pride’s pass-first offense needs to be successful.

“My blocking is one of the basic things I worry about. I think if I block better, then everything else is going to come.” Crenshaw said.

The five-touchdown performance was the first such accomplishment since Wayne Chrebet scored five times against the University of Delaware on Nov. 12, 1994.

Crenshaw is one of many players who got bigger and stronger almost immediately. Crenshaw came to the University out of high school weighing 185. Now he’s at 210.

“He knows the system,” Goff said. “He knows how I want the ball ran and the things that we want to get accomplished with the run game. It’s been about his ability to develop, to listen to criticism and advice. He knows that he has to do certain things to be successful.”

Goff arrived with the Pride after Crenshaw’s first spring training camp, and the two have developed a personal relationship. He was hired in March 2003 from East Carolina where he was Offensive Line GA/Tight Ends coach. Look for Goff to make a significant impact in recruiting as well.

For now, Goff and Crenshaw are hoping their focus can carry over into Saturday’s contest against the defending National Champion University of Delaware.

“It’s something I feel like he’s always been able to do,” Goff said of Crenshaw’s production. “It’s been a matter of him actually getting an opportunity to show it.”