April 4, 2011
Heading into to spring ball, head coach Bobby Wilder commented that in his experience in the CAA, a team will need to have at least three running backs that can play and certainly one those running backs the Monarchs will be looking to will be Mario Crawford.
Crawford led the Monarchs in rushing last season taking his 132 carries for 505 yards and six touchdowns. The second Monarch to accumulate 1,000 or more rushing yards in a career in the blue & white, Crawford has totaled 1,150 career rushing yards in his two years as a Monarch and has been averaging 52.6 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry in his career.
Q: Coming from Michigan, how did you hear about Old Dominion?
A: After I graduated high school in Michigan I went to Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. We had a combine there and Old Dominion recruited me. They liked the way I played and saw me in the drills. They offered me a scholarship and I came down here.
Q: What are your feelings about last season?
A: I think we started off slow. We lost against Jacksonville and I felt like it was a game we could have won. I felt slow personally because I had put on 20 pounds. But throughout the season we increasingly got better and more focused. We would have liked to finish 9-2, but 8-3 was still good.
Q: What are the differences between this year and last year's spring practices?
A: Last year was slower than this year. This year we have more of a fast paced offense and are faster with the play calling. We tried to do that last year too but we weren't doing it the way coach wanted us to. Everybody is really in shape right now and we are able to go faster. We weren't as physical as we are this year, and the practices are more intense because of that.
Q: What is your major? What do you plan to do after you graduate?
A: Criminal Justice. I want to be a swat officer, cop, detective, or something where I can help the government out. I come from a rough neighborhood so I know what kind of crime happens and I want to be somewhere where I can help.
Q: What are your thoughts about starting CAA competition this fall?
A: We're ready for it. It's going to be exciting because every team in there is tough. I think we could be a sleeper team.
Q: What as a team did you take from playing William & Mary last season?
A: It meant a lot. After that game, we left thinking that we were going to be mentally prepared for the CAA.
Q: What are your goals for the team and yourself this season?
A: Our goals this year is to be faster and more aggressive. We would like to be at least at the playoff level. I want to have over 800 yards and increase my speed.
Q: Describe your role on the team this season?
A: I want to be more aggressive in being a leader by actions. But I do want to improve on being a leader vocally.
Q: As one of the key running backs on the team, what progression have you seen the first two seasons?
A: I'd say blocking would be the number one thing. We were sloppy because we were new at it. Also we are more aggressive and have more speed. We are focused more on running down hill, last year we were running to the side at an angle.
Q: How did the eight week winter workouts help you improve?
A: I got better in getting used to play with my new weight. I got a tenth faster on the 40-yard dash, improved my bench press by 30 pounds, and my squat exercise by 40 pounds.
Q: What does PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) mean to you?
A: Not being negative about anything. When I think positive about myself as the smallest person on the field, I feel like I can run over anybody, run past anybody, and break as many tackles as I can.
Q: What player do people compare your style of running?
A: Reggie Bush, because of the way I make cuts and the way I'm used as receiver.