We all knew this team can run on helpless defenses in Navy and Miami, but I think this O-Line (and RBs) are really starting to show the type of rushing attack we all thought it would be going into the season.

 

With facing the number 6 (Stanford) and number 3 (BYU) rushing defenses, we have run for a combined for 420 yards on the ground (150 vs. Stanford and 270 vs. BYU).

 

I think this team is proving that they can run on anyone..ESPECIALLY in the second half, and DOUBLE ESPECIALLY in the 4th quarter.

 

Lastly, a big reason why this team just starts to run through teams in the 4th quarter (this is even including Michigan, MSU, and Purdue games) is because of the 3 headed monster at RB in Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood, and George Atkinson III

Absolutely correct on all points! When we out rush our opponents we are winning 99% of the time.

 

Running the ball gives the D more time to rest between series. It also eats up so much clock in critical situations. And it really inspires confidence in an OL when you are just mauling the DL across from you over and over again.

 

I don't like finesse football, and would rather watch an offense drive the ball down an opponents throat and impose their will.

A large caveat, however. We cannot run very well in the redzone.

That was a good run defense we ran all over today too.

 

we've laid the wood on a few teams now on the ground and when we seem to really need it, we get big plays or big gains with the run.

 

Gotta give our new offensive line coach Harry Hiestand a ton of credit. He doesn't have elite talent at a couple of key spots but as a unit this group has been solid and in my mind, a bit overlooked.

 

I know some people questioned the hire but he's proving to be a wise addition.

 

And he's doing well on the recruiting front as well.

A large caveat, however. We cannot run very well in the redzone.

 

I that's what I hoping may change in the immediate future. The plays with GAIII as the motion slot, forced the defense to have to account for two dangerous runners and the chance of misdirection. That was a great TD by GAIII and a really good play call IMO there.

lots more power o and physical between the tackles approach. Loved the run game today.

A large caveat, however. We cannot run very well in the redzone.

 

true...that's where I think we need to go into a manblocking scheme where the OLine just drives the pile back

 

We're good punching it in from 3 yards out.

 

But anything between the 10 and 5 yard line, we always seem to go backwards on the next play

 

When Riddick got caught from behind at like the 10, I was thinking "crap, we're going to have to settle for a FG"

Our OL and TEs are good at Runblocking, but can't pass block well yet. the last two games have seriously exposed out ability to pass block. There's a few culprits, and Kelly needs to do something about it....

i think a strong running game is essential against oklahoma next week. how is oklahoma's rush defense?

i think a strong running game is essential against oklahoma next week. how is oklahoma's rush defense?

 

Allow me.

 

They're ranked 41st in rush defense.

And their only loss to date is to a strong running KState team....

 

Trying to think positive here

Love the running game in the second half, If they can do that early and often they have a chance in Norman. This could be a magical game, can you imagine if they beat OU ?? Holy S

Just wanted to bring this up again...after putting up 215 yards on OU, it seems like the running game is more than coming along, The team has proven it can get the running game going with the best of them

It looks like this team will exceed my preseason pick of averaging 190 YPG.

 

We are right at 196.5 which ranks us 33rd.

 

I'd be shocked if we don't average 250 the next four weeks.

 

USC is our toughest rush defense ranking 29th. Followed by Pitt at 43rd, Wake at 81 and BC at 122.

 

Only if we decide to all the sudden become pass happy will we not break 200 in any of those games.

Just wanted to bring this up again...after putting up 215 yards on OU, it seems like the running game is more than coming along, The team has proven it can get the running game going with the best of them

 

Tough to tell for sure what the catalyst was, but the bye week sure seemed to help the new blocking scheme, though they are getting big runs with power as well.

 

Also, Golson has been much more active in the running game. He's getting around 50 a game the last 3 starts, not to mention what he opens up on the zone read for the back who gets the ball.

 

Lastly, Golson is starting to come around as a passer. That softens things up as well.

 

Most impressive? Two of those efforts were against top 10 run defenses.

Since I type so slow I'm just gonna copy last night's post since it took an hour But it fits here too...

 

[ame]

[/ame]

 

 

How'd it happen?

 

Formation:

 

2 TE: Eifert: split out to the boundary

Niklas: attached left beside Zach Martin

 

 

2 WR: Daniel Smith slot left (motions in the box at the snap)

TJ Jones- split wide to the field

 

1 RB: Cierre Wood

 

 

Principles of Power O

 

Kick out: Eifert blocks both the Corner and Safety(Richardson) on the boundary side, eliminating backside pursuit

 

Block Down: Cave moves his guy down the line of scrimmage away the play

Zach Martin and Chris Watt do a great Combo block on the DT and then Zach Martin releases from the combo

at exact right time to block the middle line backer. Niklas and pulling Golic has the DE comboed out of the way block and

Daniel smith blocks an outside linebacker almost to his butt.

 

Pull around: Golic Comes around and along with Niklas, Martin, Watt and Smith to create the wall or run force on the play side

 

Everything works perfectly except Lombard slips and falls but his guy was to far away from the play to tackle Wood..

This was not an instance of zone blocking but who cares if equals 6 points, Good job Harry Hiestand

It looks like this team will exceed my preseason pick of averaging 190 YPG.

 

We are right at 196.5 which ranks us 33rd.

 

I'd be shocked if we don't average 250 the next four weeks.

 

USC is our toughest rush defense ranking 29th. Followed by Pitt at 43rd, Wake at 81 and BC at 122.

 

Only if we decide to all the sudden become pass happy will we not break 200 in any of those games.

 

USC is soft. They haven't played a top 50 rush offense yet. Stanford, who is 64th, went for over 200 on them (and a 5.5 average, vs. 3.7 vs ND).

 

ND will beat USC to a pulp in the second half and get over 200 easy I'd guess.

Since I type so slow I'm just gonna copy last night's post since it took an hour But it fits here too...

 

 

How'd it happen?

 

Formation:

 

2 TE: Eifert: split out to the boundary

Niklas: attached left beside Zach Martin

 

 

2 WR: Daniel Smith slot left (motions in the box at the snap)

TJ Jones- split wide to the field

 

1 RB: Cierre Wood

 

 

Principles of Power O

 

Kick out: Eifert blocks both the Corner and Safety(Richardson) on the boundary side, eliminating backside pursuit

 

Block Down: Cave moves his guy down the line of scrimmage away the play

Zach Martin and Chris Watt do a great Combo block on the DT and then Zach Martin releases from the combo

at exact right time to block the middle line backer. Niklas and pulling Golic has the DE comboed out of the way block and

Daniel smith blocks an outside linebacker almost to his butt.

 

Pull around: Golic Comes around and along with Niklas, Martin, Watt and Smith to create the wall or run force on the play side

 

Everything works perfectly except Lombard slips and falls but his guy was to far away from the play to tackle Wood..

This was not an instance of zone blocking but who cares if equals 6 points, Good job Harry Hiestand

 

Definitely, the blocking was amazing and everything clicked when it should have.

 

Is it just me or does Cierre have the extra gear now? his breakaway running strides look a lot different and he just pulled away so fast

USC is soft. They haven't played a top 50 rush offense yet. Stanford, who is 64th, went for over 200 on them (and a 5.5 average, vs. 3.7 vs ND).

 

ND will beat USC to a pulp in the second half and get over 200 easy I'd guess.

 

Marquise Lee is a beast. ND will be running the ball a lot for TOP. But as long as EG is in the game I think we can expect 20 - 30 passes as well. I think this game is going to look a lot like OK, hopefully with a little more pressure on Barkley.

 

Remember, ND has never beaten Barkley (Mustaine started in his place in 2010), these kids are going to be playing with a chip.

Let me add a major point here:

 

We have been incredibly lucky on the injury front. What injuries we have sustained have been at positions where depth wan't an issue or as bad as we thought

 

This will be a major factor going forward

 

We have depth, but Nix , Tuitt, Te'o, Motta, and many others are hard to replace without sustaining a signifiant drop-off

Franco just gave me a great idea

 

[ame]

[/ame]

 

Cierre went 62 yards in 7 seconds

 

rt=d

r7=62

r= 8.86

 

8.86t=40

 

4.52=t