GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Last season was a learning experience for running back Mitch Sutton.

In his first season for the University of North Dakota football team, Sutton, a redshirt freshman, carried 42 percent of the workload from the Fighting Sioux backfield. By the end of the season, the burden was showing, as Sutton had a number of injuries that prevented him from being as explosive and effective.

Enter this spring season at the top running back, Sutton said he is continuing to compound on what he did last year, continuing his growth on the field. and staying healthy.

"Last spring helped me out a lot going into the (fall) year," Sutton said. "I got some significant playing time. Hopefully, as every spring ball comes up, you just get a little better and better each year."

One thing Sutton and the Fighting Sioux continue to work on this spring is a no-huddle offense. For Sutton and the running backs, it's about learning the play calls getting relayed in from the coaching staff on the sidelines. On the field, it's about controlling the game and keeping the defense off balance.

"I like it a lot," Sutton said. "I feel it will put the game in our hands and we can control the tempo."

The Fighting Sioux run much of the same style plays from the formation. In practice, Sutton finds himself running up the middle and run swing pass patterns. The difference, however, is speed, and Sutton already has that part down.