STATESBORO — Torrance Hunt finished his bachelor’s degree, but he wasn’t finished playing football.
So why not combine his final year of eligibility with a chance to work on a graduate degree?
Hunt thought long and hard and decided to leave East Carolina and transfer to Georgia Southern.
“I wanted to try something new,” the Durham, N.C., resident said. “The coaches here really liked my film. They seemed interested.”
Hunt gave them even more to be happy about Saturday night. The 5-foot-8, 171-pounder, who’s playing in an option offense for the first time since Little League, scooted around Savannah State’s defense in the season-opener.
Hunt finished with 73 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while displaying the speed and nifty open-field running the Eagles had desperately needed at slotback.
“At the tempo we’re trying to go, we’ll give a lot of guys reps and he’s definitely in the mix,” GSU running backs coach Lamont Seward said.
Hunt was a gift out of the blue. He had been East Carolina’s leading rusher with 489 yards during his second year of eligibility in 2011.
But the addition of junior college running back Vintavious Cooper, who ran for 1,049 yards last season, changed Hunt’s role with the Pirates.
Hunt eventually moved to defensive back as an ECU reserve in 2012.
“To me, I would have done anything they needed me to do, offense, defense it really didn’t matter,” he said. “They needed me when some guys went down and I was there to kind of help give some depth back there.”
But there was a way to return to running back.
In accordance with NCAA rules, when Hunt finished his bachelor’s degree, he could go anywhere in the country without losing a year of eligibility if he pursued a graduate degree that wasn’t offered at East Carolina.
Georgia Southern offers a graduate degree in instructional technology, a field that interested Hunt.
“I always had thoughts of working in IT,” Hunt said. “That’s definitely what I want to do when I finish up school. Hopefully, work my way up to a corporate position one day.”
Hunt is one of two graduate players added by Georgia Southern. Second-team All-Patriot League cornerback Darius Safford from Lafayette joined the Eagles in the summer. Lafayette does not have a masters program.
Need for speed
Hunt said his family knew the tradition at Georgia Southern and encouraged him to make the move.
“He reached out to us,” GSU coach Jeff Monken said. “He requested a release from (East Carolina) for us to talk to him. We got some film and obviously there was some mutual interest.”
Hunt helped fill the Eagles’ need at a depleted position — slotback. Steady performer Darrieon Robinson finished his eligibility, and Robert Brown had his career end because of injuries.
Johnathan Bryant was the lone returning starter.
“When we first saw tape on (Hunt), we realized he was a kid who could run,” Seward said. “We’re always looking for speed, and he brings that to our group.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise. He brings leadership to the position being a senior. He’s a talented and gifted kid.”
Bryant and Tray Butler were the opening night starters, but Hunt received a lot of playing time in the 77-9 rout.
Hunt had six of his seven carries and 70 yards in the second half. His 28-yard run on the second possession of the third quarter moved the Eagles to the 6-yard line en route to a touchdown.
On GSU’s first offensive play of the fourth quarter, he sprinted down the sideline 34 yards for a touchdown.
“I have friends who play at (Georgia) Tech, so I’ve seen a little college triple option, but I haven’t run in it in years,” Hunt said. “You do a little bit of everything. You get carries, you get to go out on pass routes. So far I like it.”
ST. FRANCIS AT
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Records: SFU 5-6, 4-4 Northeast Conference in 2012, 0-0 this season; GSU 1-0, 0-0 SoCon in 2013
Where: Paulson Stadium
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
TV/radio: No TV/WZAT 102.1 FM (Savannah); WBMX (103.7 FM (Statesboro).