While quarterbacks and wide receivers are more noticeable to spectators, a team needs guys who are going to get hit on every play and do the little things that may not get all the glory. Enter running back Tyronne Gross, who does all the little things, glamorously.

To this year's Sacramento State football team, the most visible offensive players are senior quarterback Ryan Leadingham and potential All-American senior wide receiver Fred Amey, but the guy who makes the offense that much more dangerous is the junior running back Gross. Sac State averaged 27 points in the eight games Gross started in 2003, but only seven points per game in the three games after Gross' injury.

A back like Gross always makes it easier for a passing game to succeed. Past NFL teams and great quarterbacks succeeded the most from having dangerous running backs. Terrell Davis did it for John Elway, Emmitt Smith for Troy Aikman and Roger Craig for Joe Montana. Those duos combined for eight Super Bowl wins.

"Last year when Lead (Leadingham) got hurt, teams tried to pack the box to stop the run and it allowed Fred (Amey) to do some good things. But after Tyronne got hurt, they could start doubling up on Fred and it hurt our offense," said Head Coach Steve Mooshagian.

Gross was easily on pace to surpass the 1,000 yard mark last season before his injury. He had four 100 yard games in a five week stretch which included a 240 yard performance against Idaho State.

Gross became the fifth Hornet to rush for over 200 yards in a single game. He finished the season with 812 yards in only eight games.

In his red shirt junior season, Gross should pick up where he left off before he sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opening moments of the home contest against Eastern Washington. He suffered partial tears both the ACL and MCL ligaments in his knee, but no surgery was needed.

"It feels pretty good," Gross said of his knee at practice last week.

He rehabbed all summer on it, improving his strength, quickness and speed.

"My speed coach got me a lot faster and got me in great shape," Gross said. "I improved my speed by running a 4.28 forty (yard dash), that was a big adjustment."

Mooshagian has been more than satisfied from what he's seen from Gross thus far in practice.

"He looks good so far. His injury looks like a non-factor; he's come back and done everything we've asked him to do. Tyronne looks in mid-season form right now, he's better than he was at any time last year. He's better than could be expected right now."

The thought of a faster Gross is something that will keep opposing coaches up late at night.

UC Davis Head Coach Bob Biggs describes Gross as a powerful and scary back.

"He's a threat every time he touches the ball. He has good cutting ability and good vision. He's the kind of runner who uses his strength to wear down opponents. He gets better as the game goes on and as he gets more and more touches."

Biggs' Aggies were able to hold Gross to only 62 yards in last season's Causeway Classic, but with his trimmed down frame and improved speed it should be much different this year. Gross won't have to wait long to face Biggs' Aggies as this year's Causeway is Sept. 25 in Davis.

The expectations Gross puts on himself for this season are staying healthy and giving the Hornets the running threat they lacked in the final part of last season.

"I pray that I stay healthy and that everyone on this team stays healthy, because that was our biggest issue last year; that's why we didn't have too many victories. We had a lot of key injures and it hurt us pretty bad not having depth. I believe if everyone stays healthy we should have a pretty good season."

The pressure is something one of Gross' high school coaches thinks he should be able to handle.

"He puts very high expectations on himself and he has always been able to back it up." current Lincoln High of Stockton head coach Mike Byerly said. "He has always been a hard worker in the weight room and in the classroom. He's not an arrogant kid but an extremely hard worker."

The expectations of others are something that Gross doesn't really feel. "If there is pressure on me I try not to worry about it. I just focus on what I have to do for the team and what the coaches want from me. I had a little over 800 yards in seven games, so with a full season ahead I really want to get that thousand this year."

If Sac State is to do some damage in the Big Sky, they are going to need Tyronne Gross to get his thousand and hopefully for the Hornets and Mooshagian, much more.

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