The Running Game!

Mopar · October 27, 2014

As long as I can remember North Texas has always been a run first team. What has happen here our O-Line is senior heavy and experience. The top two running backs who all of UNT Nation so love are back with both weighing in at over 220lbs. But the Power Run game is none existant and no one on the blog has the guts to address this including Brett Vito. You can say what you want about the QB, the Defense or Special teams. Maybe if the offense can stay on the field the Defense would get a break. The QB numbers are just as good as DT. Tell me about the 16-39 and 7-20 against Rice. The same O-Line so what is the problem. Vito for 80% and some on the blog always had something negative to say about Brandin Byrd, who did all the Heavy Lifting for UNT the last 2 years by running 80-85% of all power plays just to let the Jimmy Show and Pegram come in for running outside plays. They really look good with Fresh Legs. Someone said that BYRD should have been the 3rd option. WOW! A total team player who did things the right way and never gotten the respect he deserve, only from his team mates. The fans, some of the coaches took him for granted. The QB has been sacked more times this season that the last two years. Well Vito and others gave the credit to the O-Line, well the only missing piece to the puzzle is Byrd, who kept opposing LBs and DEs off DT as a starter for two years. Brandin Byrd, some of the MGN does love you and thanks for all you've done.

Harry · October 27, 2014

A very valid argument you make here. +1

UNT90 · October 27, 2014

When the other team puts 9 on the box, you can't run the football. I don't care if you have the 1993 Dallas Cowboys offensive line (ok, maybe then).

Balance. It's important.

When a team knows you can't throw, they won't let you run.

Maybe we should just say the hell with it and roll out the triple option after the bye week.

Big E · October 28, 2014

Pegram has had some nice flashes, but he just doesn't seem the same after the knee injury and they seem to be protecting him by not using him a ton, certainly not like the workhorse that was Byrd. Jimmerson looks pretty good, but doesn't have the speed of a Dunbar, so he gets caught often trying to break it outside. Wilson seems to have the speed, but injury has prevented us from seeing all that he appears to have. I agree the o-line has not dominated like many thought they would in conference play.

Got5onIt · October 28, 2014

Good post. We miss Byrd, no doubt. Hell, thus team sorely misses all the seniors. The other thing, QB play is so bad the running game just can't get going like Mac wants. No question, this team could get past average QB play last year, something it's not good enough to do this year. But QB play has been well below average, no telling how last year's team would fare this year? Maybe a couple more wins?

MeanGreenWithEnvy · October 28, 2014

Pegram has had some nice flashes, but he just doesn't seem the same after the knee injury...

I've said to my friend and fellow Mean Green Club member that Pegram doesn't have the burst he did pre-injury last season. Right now he's a between-the-tackles guy. I hope another offseason of rehab will help him regain some of that burst.

Mopar · October 28, 2014

We have always had 6,7,8 and 9 in the box so that is no excuse. Not like the past QB lit up the sky. Everyone we have played always tried to stop the RUUNNN!

UNT90 · October 28, 2014

We have always had 6,7,8 and 9 in the box so that is no excuse. Not like the past QB lit up the sky. Everyone we have played always tried to stop the RUUNNN!

And many times they did stop the run, until they got burned by the pass, then they magically didn't stop the run anymore.

Amazing how that works out in football.

Ben Gooding · October 28, 2014

I think mopar is simply asking why we haven't ran power plays/formations this year. A lot of our success on the ground has come from power plays. I will say that I miss B. Byrd. He was an every down back that did what was asked of him and did it well. He wasn't fumble prone and had enough speed to accelerate through holes and enough power to run between the tackles. Anytime a back has 1,000+ yards it's a big deal and usually you are going to at least be in every game.