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34 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 f 89. That's a heck of a life.' He was say- ing, 'He'll always be there. He's watch- ing you.' "He knew everything, basically, about my grandpa because I would talk about him, him and my grandma. He knew everything because I told him. I have that relationship with him. It was him and my girlfriend I could truly say I told anything and everything to about my family, my relationships in general." They've seen the other mature, some with nudging from the other. When Mostert's poor decision-mak- ing led to him failing a class as a fresh- man, Hunt wasn't going to let it slide. He told him to cut his circle of friends. He told him to start focusing on the busi- ness of their shared ambitions: Getting a degree and getting to the League. The next semester, Mostert re-took the class and got a B-plus. "He helped me become better in trying to focus more," Mostert said. "I still take that into anything and everything I do." But here's where their friendship moves into the uncommon: There's a genuine de- sire for the other to excel even if it comes at a price of individual success. NEW ROLE Last season, Hunt's playing time was hard- ly challenged. He was the top back from the onset, and though Brandon Cottom started twice, Hunt still had about 250 more offensive snaps than Cottom, the next-closest back. He had the most touches, too, with 123 carries and 38 re- ceptions. (Cottom had 52 total.) Mostert? He had 12 touches and an unofficial 34 snaps. But Mostert exceled in the spring when given a chance. Afterward, Coach Darrell Hazell and offensive coordinator John Shoop were talking about the importance of getting him the ball, getting as much as 20 touches per game. That'd seem to cut severely into Hunt's op- portunities. But Hunt seems to show no resentment. "The touches I get, I just have to make the best of," Hunt said, simply. Maybe it could help. Hunt was a dynamic change-of-pace option as a sophomore, averaging 9.8 yards on 55 touches in 2012. But, last season with more of the load, his production dropped to 4.9 yards per touch, only 3.8 yards per carry. Too often, he was bottled up on run plays, whether it be because of the line's inability to make holes or his inability to hit them with authority, or his being able to grind out tough yards or the lack of rushing attempts because of lopsided scores. It was frustrating for Hunt, who'd so des- perately wanted to prove himself as a featured back. So the season took its toll. And maybe that's exactly what he needed to evolve. Immediately after the season and into the spring, Hunt was the picture of dedication and determination. A 1-11 season humbled him. It forced a pri- ority change. "He has matured and grown up and be- Tom Campbell Hunt and Mo- stert have never raced for real, so they can still debate who's faster. Even after Mostert's four Big Ten track cham- pionships, Hunt won't concede.