Why all the hate for Wood? He dances too much sometimes, but he had a pretty awesome year overall.
I'd say being the first thousand-yard rusher at ND since Walker is worth bragging about.
Thank you.
If Wood didn't dance at least sometimes, he wouldn't be as effective of a runner. This also ignores the fact that Jonas Gray danced just as much (if not more) and was able to break the long runs, while Wood was used as the in-between the tackles power runner far more often than Gray in 2011.
It's one of those great misconceptions that will likely always persist because Gray weighs more, is bigger, etc.
Oh well.
Look back to the BC game. A close win. Who's carrying the ball late in the game to eat crucial minutes off the clock? Wood (Gray was hurt by then).
Wake Forest game. Second to last possession. Gray loses 4 yards after a Floyd first down. Gray can't pick up the first down on two more runs. ND punts. Last possession starting on their own 25. Who trots out there? Wood. He picks up 11 on two runs and a crucial first down. Gray then gets 16 yards on 5 carries with the help of a WF offsides to seal the win.
Pitt game. 3rd and 2 with ND trailing late in the fourth. Wood lowers his head and powers for the first down. Probably the most underrated play of the season. Irish continue the drive and score the game-winning TD drive.
But of course Cierre needs to work on hitting the hole quicker, but what back doesn't? He surely has improved on this from his first season. The attack on him above was out of line, but is to be expected since he (was perceived to have) disparaged OSF*.
It's not surprising that some showed up late to the party to disparage Wood.
*Old Stone Feet.