It was a tale of halves for the Hornet running backs Saturday against the University of Texas, El Paso.

The first half belonged to Garret White, who accounted for 73 of the team’s 77 offensive yards in the first two quarters, while scoring the team’s only first half touchdown.

White finished the game with 67 rushing yards on 15 carries, and 58 receiving yards on four catches.

“That’s good production,” Hornet coach John Volek said of White’s play. “We got behind so we couldn’t continue to run the ball like we wanted to.”

Throughout the game White showed the versatility to both run and catch the ball out of the backfield.

With the start, White has now started at quarterback, reciever and running back for the Hornets.

The second half, which pinned the Hornets mainly against El Paso’s second-team defense, was owned by redshirt freshman Tyronne Gross, who picked up 76 of his 77 total yards after the half, including a 43-yard touchdown catch.

White and Gross battled throughout the summer for the starting running back job, and while it was White who took the field on the opening drive, both backs proved themselves capable of starting.

“In a twelve-game season we’re going to need both of them,” Volek said.

While the UTEP defense was stifling quarterback Ryan Leadingham and the Hornet passing attack, White and Gross proved unfazed against UTEP’s Div. I-A defense.

White’s touchdown run came from four yards out, as he pounded and wiggled his way through the heart of the Miner defensive line into the end zone.

Gross’s touchdown came on a tailback seam, where he streaked down the middle of the field and caught a perfect pass from Leadingham before taking it to the end zone.

The Hornet backfield might have had an even bigger day if it were not for the struggles of Leadingham, who was inaccurate with many of his short passes to the backs.

“(The Miner defense) was bringing a lot of pressure off the edge,” Leadingham said. “I’ve got to put more touch on the ball and let my running backs and tight ends get under it.”

With White having missed most of last season with injuries, and Gross coming off his redshirt season, Saturday may just have served as a preview for better things to come for the tailback tandem.

The backs will next take the field against Saint Mary’s, the team’s first Div. I-AA competition.