They still call him Baby Michael Bush. But Anthony Allen is a year older now, and he's ready to forge his own identity.

Last season the true freshman had to grow up quickly for the University of Louisville football team. Stepping into a bigger role than expected after running back Michael Bush suffered a career-ending broken leg, Allen rushed for 406 yards and scored a team-high 14 touchdowns.

This year, he hopes to emerge from a crowded backfield to become the Cardinals' featured runner.

"I'm definitely willing to take on the load," he said last night after U of L's first fall practice. "I think I'm ready."

Allen wasn't sure he'd play much last year. But, right out of the gate, he rushed nine times for 48 yards and a touchdown against the University of Kentucky. With his 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame, he excelled in short-yardage situations and showed a nose for the end zone — his 14 scores came on just 100 touches.

"I'm a big guy, and I'm good at using my body," he said. "On third-and-ones or at the goal line, I'm good at throwing myself and getting what I need."

But like many true freshmen, the Tampa, Fla., native was slower to pick up the game's finer points. He was often taken out of the game on passing downs because he didn't know how to block blitzers.

"That probably wasn't part of his contract in high school," running backs coach Tony Alford said. "Pass protection schemes, picking up linebackers and seeing how they fit in the whole realm of the passing game, that was all new to him. But to his credit he knew he needed to get better."

Alford said when he met Allen in January, Allen told him he needed to improve his blocking. That's especially true in new head coach Steve Kragthorpe's system. Kragthorpe likes to use running backs as key components in the passing game.

"The challenge for Anthony is to become a complete back," Kragthorpe said. "Not just carrying the ball, but in pass protection and receiving."

Allen caught just four passes last season, but his hands are good enough that he started fall camp as the third-string tight end. He gained seven pounds of muscle in the offseason and said he feels faster than ever. He might not have breakaway speed, but Alford said Allen "is fast enough to get the job done."

There's a lot of competition for that job. U of L does not have one dominant runner such as Michael Bush last August, but several backs can do several different things. Brock Bolen, like Allen, has a powerful body and quick feet. Sergio Spencer might have the best juke moves and most reliable hands. George Stripling and freshman Victor Anderson are the speed burners.

And Allen?

"I'm working on being complete," he said. "Mixing all of those things into one. That's what I'm trying to do right now in this camp."

Kragthorpe has said the Cardinals likely will employ a running-back committee this season. But somebody has to be the leader of that committee. If Allen takes charge, perhaps he'll finally shed the "Baby Michael Bush" tag.

"It's definitely a compliment because of what he's done for this program," Allen said of the nickname. "But I get a little bit tired of it."

Kragthorpe said he was pleased with the first day of practice, in which the team worked out in shorts, shirts and helmets for about two hours.

"It was pretty good," he said. "We were a little bit rusty, but it was good to get out there. We got some heat, which was great. We want it to be humid so we can burn off some things we need to burn off."

Junior-college transfer Woodny Turenne did not practice. Expected to compete for playing time at cornerback, Turenne is waiting for his transcripts to be cleared by the NCAA.

"He should be cleared pretty quick," Kragthorpe said. "Everything's good; it's just a paperwork trail right now."