Ole Miss freshman getting comfortable at running back

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Receiver, safety and now, finally, running back. Freshman Mico McSwain has crammed a bunch of positions into a brief career.<br> <br> ``I finally found somewhere where I should have been in the beginning, and I&#39;m making the best of it,&#39;&#39; McSwain said.<br> <br> After stints at two other positions, McSwain has emerged as the Rebels&#39; big-play running back and is becoming the brightest spot in a rapidly worsening season for Ole Miss (1-3).<br> <br> He has led the Rebels in rushing in all four games, including the first two in which he came off the bench. He rushed for 114 yards in his first career start, taking his first carry of that game 60 yards for a touchdown.<br> <br> McSwain has runs of at least 50 yards in three straight games heading into Saturday&#39;s game against The Citadel, and is fifth in the Southeastern Conference with 71.5 yards per game.<br> <br> Not bad for a former defensive back, first-year coach Ed Orgeron said.<br> <br> ``The more we learn the system on offense and the more we become accustomed to what Mico can do, we can use him a lot more,&#39;&#39; Orgeron said.<br> <br> McSwain has made the most of limited chances.<br> <br> He hasn&#39;t carried more than 13 times in a game partly because the coaches gradually want to test his durability, and partly because the Rebels have been forced to pass during their three-game losing streak.<br> <br> He gave the Rebels their most recent lead with his long touchdown run two weeks ago against Wyoming.<br> <br> ``The confidence in the running game has got to pick up,&#39;&#39; Orgeron said. ``We have to be able to have more run plays that we&#39;re confident in calling and running.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McSwain has gotten a few more opportunities with each game. He had six attempts in each of his first two games and seven against Wyoming.<br> <br> ``I actually want to get more carries to try to get the offense going better,&#39;&#39; McSwain said. ``But it doesn&#39;t matter to me how many carries I get, as long as we get a win.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McSwain came to Ole Miss from Hargrave Military Academy as a receiver, and was moved to free safety during the spring. He was switched back to offense before the season started.<br> <br> ``They just needed people to play different positions, and they needed someone on defense,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I said it didn&#39;t matter to me as long as I played. I just found someplace that was good for me to be.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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