Lack of long runs.

[Junkhead]

In 287 combined carries, Allen, Aldridge, Hughes and Gray have a long run of 21 yards. Golden Tate has a 24yd reverse, and Harrison Smith had the 35yd fake punt run. It's hard to believe in almost 300 carries, there has been only 2-3 from the 4 backs over 20yards. (all by Allen) Sad, huh?

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

In 287 combined carries, Allen, Aldridge, Hughes and Gray have a long run of 21 yards. Golden Tate has a 24yd reverse, and Harrison Smith had the 35yd fake punt run. It's hard to believe in almost 300 carries, there has been only 2-3 from the 4 backs over 20yards. (all by Allen) Sad, huh?

I hear ya Junk, I thought Allen would definetely give us that breakaway back when we first got him but he's more of a btw the tackles type back with speed. There is nothing wrong with that. He's ran hard this year and has been breaking a lot more tackles than I ever thought he would. He's really good at making the first man miss. I think our o-lineman have something to do with this along with our WR's. If our lineman get to that second level and our WR's stay on their blocks, thats what springs a long run...FWIW I really do think Mr. Wood will be that guy next year..he just has big play written all over him with his style of running.

 

[Junkhead]

I blame most of it on the OL. I think Allen is much better than last year, Aldridge is good enough to start, and Hughes looked good against Navy. I really think Jonas Gray could've sat out this year.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

When is the last time we had a TD run for over 50 yards?

 

[wahoo]

When is the last time we had a TD run for over 50 yards?

When is the last time we have had a decent running game???

 

[Shamrock44]

I would have also like to have seen Gray redshirt this year. It seems like there hasn't been a long run at ND since Julius Jones. Speaking of long runs, when was the last a kickoff was taken back? Seems like 02......

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Armando Allen is special. Makes Darius look like a mule (in a good kinda workhorse way). He is simply playing under an offensive system that treats running as an afterthought. But the guy is damn special.

 

[Irish 83]

If Gray would have sat this year out it probably would have made recruiting wood, and riddick much more difficult, to be honest I am surprised we got them both. Gray is "supposed" to have that 4.4 speed and julius jones style, but really all he can do is grab his ticket and wait in line until his number is called. However he is our only freshman running back and hopefully this will allow him to contribute later on down the road in leadership, very similiar to Grimes. Please don't get me wrong I really do think he will be very productive on the field as well, just not the "star" back.

 

[SoCalDomer]

I blame most of it on the OL. I think Allen is much better than last year, Aldridge is good enough to start, and Hughes looked good against Navy. I really think Jonas Gray could've sat out this year.

there is probably blame in the OL for not having more a productive running game. but i think for the long runs, the blame can go around.

the RBs may have chosen the wrong lanes after getting past the 2nd level. i recall a run by one of the RBs (although it may have been Tate) where CW said if he had cut it out instead of in, he had the whole sideline and would have scored on a long run.

The WRs and TEs (Tate, Floyd, Rudolph) are young and probably aren't blocking well for long enough down field. Grimes is actually a very good run blocker; but he's also a senior.

I think as they improve and focus on a consistent running game, which starts with the RBs making the right reads on holes and cutbacks and the OL opening up those holes, the WRs and TEs blocking downfield will also improve, yielding more long runs.

so get to-it offense.

 

[JeremyND07]

I think it all goes back to the OL. The lanes have not been there for the big runs. The 10+ yard runs have been because of great cutbacks and broken tackles! I think Gray will get more carries next year after he puts on a little weight! I think he has star potential! The only real question is which one of these guys will transfer because all 4 are VERY talented!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

there is probably blame in the OL for not having more a productive running game. but i think for the long runs, the blame can go around.

the RBs may have chosen the wrong lanes after getting past the 2nd level. i recall a run by one of the RBs (although it may have been Tate) where CW said if he had cut it out instead of in, he had the whole sideline and would have scored on a long run.

The WRs and TEs (Tate, Floyd, Rudolph) are young and probably aren't blocking well for long enough down field. Grimes is actually a very good run blocker; but he's also a senior.

I think as they improve and focus on a consistent running game, which starts with the RBs making the right reads on holes and cutbacks and the OL opening up those holes, the WRs and TEs blocking downfield will also improve, yielding more long runs.

so get to-it offense.

Oline is not to blame. Youth of system is to blame, and CW's focus on passing game is to blame for lack of running game. Not to name names. But still the same... Notre Dame. (had to throw that into the game...)

 

[wicket]

how about the fact that are passing game makes the opponents safeties usually line up quite deep and therefore they are less capable to tackle early but better capable to stop the big run as well. To be honoust I'd be quite happy with a lot of small/medium yardage runs as long as they move the sticks.

 

[wahoo]

Its a combination of things I think. Oline isn't opening holes,wideouts don't block all that well and the backs sometimes have trouble breaking a tackle or making someone miss

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

how about the fact that are passing game makes the opponents safeties usually line up quite deep and therefore they are less capable to tackle early but better capable to stop the big run as well. To be honoust I'd be quite happy with a lot of small/medium yardage runs as long as they move the sticks.

Good point. Something for me to watch next game.

And do absolutely nothing about it except post on an anonymous internet forum.

I need a life.

 

[BeatSC]

Aldridge had a long run last year. The TD run by Tate and the TD run by Allen against Purdue could have both gone for 50 plus but they were at the 20. I think we have a chance this week agaisnt Syracuse.