PK Kier Is Ready To Go If Ellis Is Unable To Saturday Against UNC

If Virginia’s top running back, Jordan Ellis, can’t go against North Carolina on Saturday, his understudy is ready for the start.

PK Kier, a 6-foot, 230-pound sophomore from Winchester, said after Tuesday morning’s practice that he is as close to a carbon copy of Ellis as one can find.

Ellis, a 5-10, 225 senior tailback from Suwannee, Ga., was injured late in the first half at Duke last weekend and didn’t return to the game, finishing with 55 yards on a dozen carries. Kier, sophomore Lamont Atkins, and junior Chris Sharp handled the job as running back by committee in the second half.

When asked about Ellis after practice, UVa offensive coordinator Robert Anae said, “He’s out right now. I will get the report later in the week, and if he can go, he can go. And if he can’t, then shoot, he can’t go. We’ll play other guys in that spot and keep going.”

Running backs coach Mark Atuaia seemed a little more optimistic and said he felt like Ellis would be ready for the Tar Heels.

Ellis was in full pads at practice but apparently didn’t get in any work.

“It’s always hard for a player that loves the game of football to sit on the sideline,” Kier said. “[Ellis] is itching.”

Kier said it was fun getting some action in UVa’s 28-14 win over Duke. He gained 36 yards on 12 carries, including a 13-yard run.

“When I got my chance to go in, I did what I do every day in practice, and I was ready,” Kier said, even though Anae said the backup needs more work.

“We’re going to play PK and practice him and look for productivity,” the OC said. “He’s got a long way to go.”

Kier spent the entire summer and training camp tagging along behind Ellis like a little brother looks up to his older sibling.

In fact, Coach Bronco Mendenhall said that Kier is like a clone of Ellis.

“My goal over the summer was to follow in his footsteps,” Kier said. “In the weight room, on the field, I followed him. It helped me pick third.”

Kier was referring to working so hard that he earned the third selection when it came to choosing a number, a big honor at Virginia. Ellis, the hardest working member of the team, has earned the No. 1 pick for three years in a row.

“I learned how to lead by example [from Ellis] and to work hard even when no one else is looking,” Kier said. “When you watch him during the offseason, he won’t say much. It’s just the things he does. He’s the first one on the field, the last one off the field. You can just see that he wants it.”

Kier’s attitude has earned him the respect of his teammates as well. When Ellis went down last week with an ankle injury, his teammates picked Kier up.

“Everybody on the sideline was like, ‘we trust you,’” Kier said. “We’ve got PK. In the running back room I feel like we’re so tight together that we’re going to support each other.”