[Tuck4Bama]

Running and receiving are the basics of Brian Maddox’s job. But the freshman running back gained kudos over the weekend for a third skill: Blocking, especially on one play when he leveled fellow freshman Cliff Matthews.

“That was the headline back at home in my newspaper in Anderson,” Maddox said Tuesday night.

He might make more headlines this season on the South Carolina football team, but that remains to be seen. Maddox is third on the depth chart at running back.

Before preseason practice began, coach Steve Spurrier said he preferred to redshirt Maddox. Now after impressive scrimmage performances and the injury to third-string back Bobby Wallace, Maddox thinks that has been put to rest.

“No, I don’t think redshirting is an option here anymore, or if it ever was,” he said.

The State | 08/22/2007 | Maddox creates tough call