(Photo: Jannah Din/WCSN)
Arizona State running back Marion Grice is racking up touchdowns at a pace that no player in the nation can keep up with and, barring a sudden drop-off in production, a pace that history might struggle to keep up with as well.
Through seven games, Grice has tallied an FBS-leading 18 total touchdowns, and his 12 rushing touchdowns are tied for the most with Boise State’s Jay Ajayi.
With just five more touchdowns he’ll break Wilford White’s school record of 22 total touchdowns in a season set in 1950 and 11 more will break the Pac-10/12 record set by former Stanford and current Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart in 2009 (a year in which he was the runner-up for the Heisman).
Grice is averaging over 2.5 touchdowns per game, meaning he’s well on pace to break both records with at least five games to play, although the national record of 39 touchdowns set by Wisconsin’s Montee Ball in 2011 will be tough to match.
For the senior running back though, the touchdowns and accolades aren’t something he takes too much time thinking about.
“I don’t really pay too much attention to it,” Grice said. “If someone brings it to my attention I’ll take note so if someone asks I’ll know, but I don’t pay much attention to it. I’m just trying to be successful and finish the season off.”
While Grice remains humble about his contributions, his teammates have no problem complimenting the running back on his achievements.
“He loves playing, he loves making big plays,” ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly said of Grice. “Whether it’s a one-handed catch or a run, it looks so easy for him. He’s so smooth, he’s so quiet. He’s just a tremendous person and athlete.”
Grice’s acrobatic highlights and numerous touchdowns have been easy to spot, but his contributions in other aspects of the game have also drawn praise.
“It makes me feel a lot more comfortable just knowing that he’s right next to me or behind me in the backfield,” Kelly said. “He’s smart, he watches a ton of film. I’m never doubtful about his reads or his protections.”
A redshirt senior, Grice’s first season with the Sun Devils was in 2012 after he transferred from Blinn Community College in Brenham, TX where he was lauded as one of the top junior college prospects in the nation.
With three rushing touchdowns and 107 yards in his first game at ASU, Grice’s abilities as a scorer were apparent immediately, and he finished the year with 19 total touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns, the latter of which he has already eclipsed in 2013.
It may only take him one more game to break a personal record and possibly an ASU record as well. After that, the conference record will be straight ahead for the leading scorer on one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses.
