Spring Practice - Running Backs

swmohusker said:
Making Chimichangas said:
swmohusker said:
Making Chimichangas said:
Mavric said:
Making Chimichangas said:
Hunter94 said:
we are about to become a throw it on 2nd and 3rd down, i can't see us running more than 40% of the time.
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I support Mike Riley, but listening to what he says, about "protecting" the OL in terms of scheme: running screens, draws, and "being smart" about how they go about things...

To me, and maybe I am over-reacting/thinking, but yo your point, I think Nebraska is going to be become a soft, finesse, pass team--like under Callahan.

Like, I understand there are a lot of ways to win games, but if Mike Riley has any designs on actually winning the Big 10 or more, we're going to have to be physical, especially along the OL. And that means running the ball.
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I guess "soft" is in the eye of the beholder. I think we'll tend to pass. But most of our running plays will be straight ahead which some will label as pounding it.

Of course, I'm far from convinced of the effectiveness of our running game. And I think we will throw a significant percentage of quick passes, which is probably what you're referring to.

I'm just waiting for "those passes are really part of the running game" to become an anthem.
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No, if the ball leaves the QBs hand, and travels through the air, it's a pass. (Or a fumble...lol)
Straight ahead runs are fine. Isos between the #1 and 2 holes, need to be a staple of our offense. But we also need to run through the 3-9 holes also. We need to be able to run counters, traps, counter traps, etc

That's why I never really liked the "pro" or "weak" formations with the off-set FB. It is an automatic clue as to what's coming.

I dunno, maybe I should just give up hope that Tom Osborne's running game will sneak its way back into Nebraska's playbook. Not saying we should run the option, but the variety of running plays, ways to block those plays, personnel groupings, it made defending that running game nigh impossible in one week of practice.

Anyway, I'm hoping Riley is sincere in wanting to have a running game in the top 3 of the conference because the last two years we've failed at that miserably.
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How is the FB a tell in far and near I sets? You like power, counter and traps but you don't like those formations? Off set FB you can run all sorts of power, counter, split zone, lead zone, isolated, wham and etc. FB can lead the play or be a replacer but he does not have to be a tell. Not sure if you know as much about run game as you think you do.
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Okay so next time I talk about the running game, I'll make sure to drill down into, and include, every conceivable circumstance and variance. Pfff.

Most teams that run a strong formation with the FB off-set to the TE side, run plays are mostly (you guessed it) to (wait for it) the TE side.

I am well aware that having an off-set FB doesn't have to be a tell...duh...most times it is though.
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Well if the FB was the tell then the LBS sure are wasting there time reading the OL to back flow. Just watch the FB and he will take you to the play, except when he doesnt...(wait for it).. here it comes. Then you are screwed.
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1. You're talking about what coaches who know how to vary their running game actually do.

2. I'm talking about specifically what Mike Riley has actually done the last two years, do you see the difference?

Go back and re-watch all of Nebraska's running plays the last two years.

When the Husker are in 12 personnel (1 TE and 2 RBs) they more often than not have run to the TE side of the formation.

The usage of play-action off of an I-Formation, Weak/Strong Formation has been really rare the last two years.

I can't honestly recall Nebraska running ANY traps, counters, or mis-directions the last two years under Riley. That's not to say that none have been run, but I don't think so.

We've played teams like Purdue and Tennessee who have given up, on average, 250-300 yards rushing per game. Nebraska plays Tennessee and Purdue, and suddenly those two schools rush defense looks like Alabama's.

Or maybe it is merely coincidence that this season alone two of the statistically worst rushing defenses (Tennessee and Purdue) were able to literally stifle our running game to 80 yards or less in each game.

Moreover, in 2016 Nebraska averaged a paltry 169 yards rushing per game.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/stats/_/id/158/nebraska-cornhuskers

That's 2,199 total rushing yards divided by 13 total games.

169 yards rushing per game put us at 73rd nationally in rushing offense

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/23/p2

Bottom line: Outside of a couple games against weaker competition, our running game has been dull, predictable, and has lacked ANY creativity--especially since Mike Riley arrived and how poorly we've run the ball shows statistically what I'm saying.

 
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12 pers is 1 back 2 TE. 21 is 2 back 1 TE. Didn't use much 20 or 21 personnel last year due to lack of fb. We did use CC as a wing and run slice optiin with split flow. Also run the zone cut series.

 
I absolutely agree with you on lack of creativity in the run game. We ran probably less than 10 gap scheme plays with power or counter last year. I don't like it but cav has said on a few occasions the OL struggles with pulling and they don't do it much. Hope as our OL improves we see more power and counter. His 1st year we saw trap but that was to feature Jano.

 
Ozigbo still seems unable to shake the doghouse.

Won't matter. When the coaches get into a 3rd or 4th and 1/2... you know who needs to get the carry.

 
swmohusker said:
I absolutely agree with you on lack of creativity in the run game. We ran probably less than 10 gap scheme plays with power or counter last year. I don't like it but cav has said on a few occasions the OL struggles with pulling and they don't do it much. Hope as our OL improves we see more power and counter. His 1st year we saw trap but that was to feature Jano.
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Riley was just talking about having to 'protect' the line with scheme. That says a lot, and that's why I was saying I don't think it would even matter a whole lot if Ameer were still here - there's too much else holding back the running game.

 
Toe said:
swmohusker said:
I absolutely agree with you on lack of creativity in the run game. We ran probably less than 10 gap scheme plays with power or counter last year. I don't like it but cav has said on a few occasions the OL struggles with pulling and they don't do it much. Hope as our OL improves we see more power and counter. His 1st year we saw trap but that was to feature Jano.
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Riley was just talking about having to 'protect' the line with scheme. That says a lot, and that's why I was saying I don't think it would even matter a whole lot if Ameer were still here - there's too much else holding back the running game.
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AA didn't run behind an OL that was much, if any better than what we have now. AA was special bc he could take care of a couple guys on his own. When we blew assignments with AA he would make them miss and then proceed down the field making our run game look better.

 
teachercd said:
Atbone95 said:
Ozigbo still seems unable to shake the doghouse.

Won't matter. When the coaches get into a 3rd or 4th and 1/2... you know who needs to get the carry.
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I don't think it is the doghouse...I just think he is just an average back.
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And still managed to get a lot of PT/starts last year somehow. Funny how that works? Tis' Nebraska's running game now. Sigh...

 
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After the spring game, I am curious as to how everyone really ranks the RBs. We didn't see much of Bryant and I am not sure why unless either he got dinged up or perhaps he is already fairly well secured as the starter?

I have been inclined to pick Ozigbo as the starter until today. Not sure anything changed much except that I would say there are quite a few good backs to choose from at this point so it is not as easy now. Looks more like RB by committee at this point as Wilbon, Rose, Mazour and Bryant all showed they can catch the ball and make people miss

Perhaps Bryant would be the best all around guy but it is not easy to pick one now. I think it will be more based on which guy fits our new offensive scheme and orientation (catching screens, swings, etc and pass protection). We also need to attack up the middle but each guy has shown some ability there as well. I would say, based on the offensive play selection of the spring game, that ANY of the half dozen or so guys can get the job done. Not sure any have the take it to the house speed but all have the ability to pick up 15 or 20 on a regular basis and give a little shake and break along the way. No superstars but we've got a nice bunch of 2nd and 3rd string backs atleast. They are all better than last year.

 
I don't think Wyatt Mazour's extensive playing time was a stunt or a favor to the kid. Don't know if he breaks into the top three, but I do believe he'll be given the chance, and if history holds there will be dings and injuries aplenty.

I see more Andy Janovich than I do Danny Woodhead in Mazour's style.

 
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