Last season while sharing the running back duties with Will Shipley, fans were clamoring to see more of Phil Mafah in the Clemson backfield.

However, now that Mafah is the featured back for the Tigers, many are asking why they’ve not seen more of backups like Jay Haynes and Keith Adams Jr.

Over the past three games, Mafah has played almost every snap, with Haynes logging just seven and Adams none. Mafah has literally been carrying the load, with 73 carries over that three-game stretch and offensive coordinator Garret Riley insists the senior back was built for it.

“He’s a machine, he really is,” Riley said. “Physically and mentally, he has been great. I’m not really seeing a drop-off or anything. This guy, he is built to last and he is a special individual because of that.”

At the same time, Riley wishes it had worked out to where the backups had gotten a few more opportunities during the recent stretch, but with the close nature of those games, the opportunity just hasn’t afforded itself.

“It’s not a trust issue, it’s really not,” Riley said. “With the way some of these games have unfolded a little bit, it’s a combination of that.”

“But once we get through at the end of the year and you are kind of big picturing this thing, this segment of our season, do I wish we would have gotten these guys a little bit more reps, yeah probably. But I also know that Phil has been really good, been real productive for us and the way some of these games have unfolded, it’s been hard to kind of take him out at times too.”

With FCS foe Citadel visiting on Saturday, this weekend should allow the staff to give Mafah some rest and the backups more work. That includes true freshman David Eziomume, who is redshirting this season, and has not played since the blowout win over NC State in September.

“Moving forward, I am ready to see these guys get in the mix” Riley said.

“EZ is going to play, excited about him. He has just kind of continued to get better as the year has gone on. Kind of caught up with things mentally. But he is a physical guy that loves contact. Know what I’m saying? He is one of those that kind of licks his chops to have some physical runs.”

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