ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals head coach pleased with running back duo of Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall

Oct 7, 2013, 8:55 PM | Updated: 10:57 pm

LISTEN: Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals head coach

The Arizona Cardinals’ defense received the bulk of the credit for their second half adjustments in Sunday’s 22-6 win over the Carolina Panthers, but they weren’t the only unit to show a vast improvement over the final 30 minutes of play.

After combining for just 18 yards on eight carries through the first two quarters, the Cardinals’ backfield duo of Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall completely flipped the script coming out of the half.

On Arizona’s first touchdown drive of the second half, Ellington ripped off a key 12-yard run, while Mendenhall rushed for 19 yards, including a one-yard scamper into the end zone.

And when the Cardinals needed to burn some time off the game clock up six in the fourth quarter, Ellington and Mendenhall were once again happy to take control of the offensive load.

On Arizona’s 11-play scoring drive that took six minutes and 23 seconds of game action, the two backs combined for 17 yards and had a big hand in setting up Jay Feely’s 50-yard field goal.

All and all, their head coach left University of Phoenix Stadium very impressed with the ground game.

“I thought [Mendenhall] was better,” Bruce Arians told Arizona Sports 620’s Bickley with Marotta Monday. “There were times he thought about bouncing some plays instead of sticking it in there for three or four yards. I thought he looked better to me playing the game.”

Mendenhall’s 43 rushing yards were his most since Sept. 15 against the Detroit Lions and came just a week after Arians challenged him to practice harder in the days leading up to games.

As for Ellington, the sixth-round pick continues to look like one of the biggest late-round steals of the 2013 NFL Draft.

In the Cardinals’ 16-point victory, the former Clemson standout finished with seven carries for 52 yards and four catches for 31 yards.

But as he reiterated during both his weekly radio segment and Monday’s press conference, Arians doesn’t plan to increase the rookie’s responsibilities as the season progresses.

“I think that’s his workload,” said Arians of Ellington’s 11 total touches in Sunday’s game. “He’s not that body type. If you’re going to stand and hand it to him 30 times, he’d probably play two weeks. You have to be smart with these guys.

“He’s a space player and a really good one. As he continues to find his niche he’s only going to get better and better.”

The 95 rushing yards Ellington and Mendenhall amassed Sunday were a season-high for the Cardinals.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington (58) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) is tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58)during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is pressured by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis, right, and Greg Hardy (76) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to throw under pressure from Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu, right, during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) escapes the reach of Arizona Cardinals defensive end Matt Shaughnessy (91) and John Abraham during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) looks to run as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Colin Cole (92) defends during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a pass as Carolina Panthers cornerback Drayton Florence (29) and Mike Mitchell defends during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) intercepts a pass as Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) defends during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) tries to break away from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tony Jefferson (22) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) signals first down against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) escapes the tackle of Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals' Daryl Washington, right, gets blocks by Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, middle, as Panthers quarterback Cam Newton looks to throw the ball in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu, left, sacks Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Jay Feely (4) connects for a field goal against the Carolina Panthers with the help of holder Dave Zastudil (9) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) intercepts a ball intended for Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) scores a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas (22) defends during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Wawhington (58) during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked in the end zone for a safety by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is knocked down by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) tries to escape Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Daryl Washington during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) intercepts a pass as Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) defends during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd, right, is tackled by Carolina Panthers strong safety Robert Lester during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) celebrates after a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 22-6. Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu (32)looks on. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals' Jim Dray (81) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers with teammate Lyle Sendlein (63) in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Panthers 22-6. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Jim Dray (81) celebrates his touchdown with Larry Fitzgerald during the second half of a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 22-6. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals' Jay Feely (4) pumps his fist after kicking a field goal as Carolina Panthers' Armond Smith (36) looks for the ball in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Panthers 22-6. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) leaves his pink cleats at midfield after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 22-6. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera meet after a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 22-6. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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