Running the ball

[irishandy]

Ever since we had such great rushing yards against Michigan State I thought we needed a change. Armando Allen did good against Purdue and the last 2 games against Stanford and North Carolina the running game has been idle. I am not a fan of this tail back of trios. I like having a consistent runner that we can count on, I don't think the guys we have in are getting the job done; Armando Allen is our best so far and our o-line really isn't making any holes. I'd like to see Jonas Gray get some touches.

 

[kmoose]

Both Allen, and the O Line, are playing much better. The problem, against NC, was a lack of touches. Against NC, Allen ran 11 times for 60 yards. A 5.5 ypc average. If your back is averaging 5.5 yards a carry, you have to give him the ball more than 11 times. Especially when you are up for most of the game. Instead, the Irish threw the ball 48 times. I know that convential wisdom says that you have to go with what is working, but the running game was working. Not sure if Weis will look at that, in film study, or not. I hope he does.

 

[Irishlew]

Cierre's coming...

 

[Junkhead]

Cierre's coming...

If Aldridge (5 star Jr), Allen (4 star Soph), Hughes (4 star Soph), and Gray (4 star FR), can't get it done, how is another Frosh going to?? I know Gray has yet to get a carry, but always assuming the incoming stud is the answer is ignorant. Jim Brown and Walter Payton's love child couldn't find extra yards behind ND's weak run blocking. They are better than last year, but a stable of stud RBs is at the mercy of their blocking up front. That said, I have no doubt Cierre is a stud, but every other RB on our roster was in HS also.

 

[BeatSC]

We're giving up too early

We're giving up too early

I think we haven't shown enough patience with the run yet. I would like to see more two back sets with Aldridge getting up to 20 attempts. His speed hitting the hole recently looks good. Allen is a shifty runner but I still prefer JA for his speed and size combo. I think we need to run out of a few more formations. Direct snap to Allen, the quick shovel pass or a quick pitch. So far we haven't really given it enough of a chance and I think we can run the ball if we commit to it. CW is in love with the pass. We need to play ND football where we run for 250 and pass for 195. This requires control of the line of scrimmage. The top teams in college footbal control both sides of the LOS. Imagine how good our deep threats would be if we could draw the DBs up for run support.

 

[Irishlew]

If Aldridge (5 star Jr), Allen (4 star Soph), Hughes (4 star Soph), and Gray (4 star FR), can't get it done, how is another Frosh going to?? I know Gray has yet to get a carry, but always assuming the incoming stud is the answer is ignorant. Jim Brown and Walter Payton's love child couldn't find extra yards behind ND's weak run blocking. They are better than last year, but a stable of stud RBs is at the mercy of their blocking up front. That said, I have no doubt Cierre is a stud, but every other RB on our roster was in HS also.

i went to a HS that is in the same conference as Merrillville (Aldridge's School). He wasn't even the best RB in the conference. If Aldridge is a 5 star, then Cierre is a 10 star. Boy that freshman stud Mcguffy sure looked 150% times better then anything we have. And don't tell me Michigan's line had anything to do with what Mcguffy did to us. Cierre is the difference maker at RB that we haven't seen at this school possibly ever.