FW*Telegram Latest offensive trends have thrown RB

OldTimer · November 10, 2005

Running behind

The latest offensive trends have thrown running backs for a loss

By WENDELL BARNHOUSE

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Scan the list of leading rushers in NCAA Division I-A. There's something missing.

Houston, you have a problem. Austin, Lubbock, Waco, too. You've all got a problem.

There is no runner from a college in the state of Texas in the top 10, top 20 or top 30 in NCAA rushing stats. The leading rusher from the Lone State State is Patrick Cobbs of North Texas. His 91.3 yards per game ranks him No. 36.

"Since the 1950s, Texas has been a running back state," said Fort Worth-based writer and college football historian Dan Jenkins. "But it always changes. We went from wide open football in the 1930s to the Wing-T. Now, we're drifting back to everybody getting in a spread offense and throwing the ball."

Texas is ranked No. 2 and stalking its first national championship since 1970. Back then, the Longhorns were ground pounders with the Wishbone formation. UT version '05 is third nationally in rushing but is doing it unconventionally.

Junior quarterback Vince Young leads the team in rushing. His 86.4 yards per game ranks 45th nationally. Freshman Jamaal Charles is UT's top running back. His 78 yards per game ranks 60th.

"I feel like the trend right now is to get a guy back there who can do both [run and pass]," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "Vince's best asset is his ability to make plays. When he started running and everyone comes up [on defense], now he stops and throws. That's where he's so dangerous."

But what in the name of Doak Walker and Jim Swink is going on in the Lone Star State? In six of the past eight years, a school from Texas has produced the nation's leading rusher. From 1997 to 2000, UT's Ricky Williams and TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson each won consecutive rushing titles.

Side note: The Frogs do have a top-five rusher -- Aaron Robert Merrill Brown. Combine the yards of junior Robert Merrill and freshman Aaron Brown and you get 145 yards per game -- which would be fourth nationally.

Has the game changed that much? Would Earl Campbell be a starting running back at Texas, or would he play the role of freshman short-yardage specialist Henry Melton? Would Eric Dickerson be a tight end or a wide receiver?

"For years, the conventional wisdom for defensive coaches was, 'You have to stop the run,'" former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "That's where you started when you schemed against a team. You had teams playing eight-, nine-man fronts and it became harder to run the ball."

To counter stacked defensive fronts, the current trend is the "spread offense." The idea is for offensive alignments to force the defense to defend more of the field.

"You're seeing the total opposite end of the spectrum from the days of the Wishbone," said Slocum, who is a voter in the Master Coaches Survey. "You've got people lining up with four, five wide receivers, nobody in the backfield.

"You're throwing the ball to four or five receivers, by the time you get around to the running back, there's just not that many chances for him to carry it. You give the running back 30 carries, you've got a bunch of upset receivers."

Over the past decade, the UIL has allowed high schools to participate in off-season passing leagues that led to a seven-on-seven state championship. That has helped develop quarterbacks and passing offenses at the high school level and has made running backs supporting players.

"Kids go all summer throwing and catching," Slocum said. "That has tremendously elevated the skill level of receivers and quarterbacks in the state of Texas. It's changed the game."

Said ESPN analyst Bob Davie: "You think about the offenses in the state of Texas right now, there are no I-formation, line up and run the ball teams. There are more quarterback-oriented teams. It's a quarterback-dominated state."

Football is cyclical. As Jenkins pointed out, in the 1930s and 1940s with Sammy Baugh, Davey O'Brien and Bobby Layne, the state of Texas was known for its wide-open, fling-it-around attacks.

Starting in the 1950s and over next three or four decades, the style changed to three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust running games, including the Wishbone.

"Everybody throws the ball so much these days, it's hard for a back to make any yards," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said, "I'll bet the runners who are leading the nation are on losing teams."

Close, but not quite.

The schools of the top-10 leading rushers this week have a combined win-loss record of 53-36, or an average record of about 5-4.

But for now, at least, the running game has been run out of town. The state's two best teams -- 9-0 Texas and 8-1 Texas Tech -- are winning not because they're saddling up running backs. They're succeeding with modern-day offenses in which ground delivery is the ultimate in snail mail.

FRONT-RUNNERS

In six of the past eight years, an NCAA Division I-A school in Texas has featured a running back who led the nation in rushing.

North Texas duo 2003-04

Patrick Cobbs, left, averaged 152 yards per game to lead the nation in 2003. Jamario Thomas (180 ypg) held the Mean Green's lofty ranking in 2004.

LaDainian Tomlinson 1999-2000

Tomlinson rushed for 1,850 and 2,158 yards, the two most prolific seasons by a TCU runner.

Ricky Williams 1997-98

Williams ran his way into the NCAA record books, and carried home the Heisman Trophy in 1998.

IN THE KNOW

Rushing nowhere

Over the past 15 years, only twice have the colleges in the state of Texas failed to produce an NCAA Division I-A runner who finished 10th or higher in the nation in rushing. And not once over the past 15 years has the state failed to produce a runner who averaged at least 100 yards per game. With just a few weeks remaining this season, North Texas' Patrick Cobbs is the state's top rusher. He is averaging 91 yards a game and is ranked 36th nationally.

Year Leading Texas rusher Ntl Rank Yds./game

2004 Jamario Thomas, North Texas 1 180

2003 Patrick Cobbs, North Texas 1 152

2002 Joffrey Reynolds, Houston 9 128

2001 Keith Galbreath, North Texas 27 101.7

2000 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 1 196

1999 LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU 1 168

1998 Ricky Williams, Texas 1 193

1997 Ricky Williams, Texas 1 172

1996 Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech 2 124

1995 Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech 15 124

1994 Andre Davis, TCU 5 135

1993 Byron Morris, Texas Tech 2 159

1992 Trevor Cobb, Rice 5 126

1991 Trevor Cobb, Rice 3 154

1990 Darren Lewis, Texas A&M 3 141

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Wendell Barnhouse, (817) 390-7760 wbarnhouse@star-telegram.com

FirefightnRick · November 10, 2005

"I feel like the trend right now is to get a guy back there who can do both [run and pass]," Texas coach Mack Brown said.

I think when Meager's shoulder completely heals he will have the overall full package.

"Everybody throws the ball so much these days, it's hard for a back to make any yards," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said, "I'll bet the runners who are leading the nation are on losing teams."
Close, but not quite.
The schools of the top-10 leading rushers this week have a combined win-loss record of 53-36, or an average record of about 5-4.
But for now, at least, the running game has been run out of town. The state's two best teams -- 9-0 Texas and 8-1 Texas Tech -- are winning not because they're saddling up running backs. They're succeeding with modern-day offenses in which ground delivery is the ultimate in snail mail.

Hmmmmmmmm?____________

I'm not even going to type what I'm fully thinking as I think most can fill in the blank. But I have a question. Does anyone know what our highest ranking in total offense the past 8 years was?

Rick

FirefightnRick · November 10, 2005

Well then, let me answer that for you.

The NCAA stores info back to the 1999 season. Our highest offensive ranking since 1999 was 83rd, in 2004.

Since 1999, including this season, our offensive rank average is:106th NATIONALLY.

This season we are currently 118th out of 119 schools. Not much improvement over a 7 year period I would say?

Has it been that long since the "THROW THE BALL, THROW THE BALL" chant incident at TCU where the majority in attendance at the game was already worn out from nearly two seasons of boring, run-at-all-cost offense, and publicly voiced their oppinion over it? Has it been that long now that 99% of us who have voiced our frustrations over it these past 8 years, and now are vindicated by a lengthy report in the Startlegram today simply don't care enough to comment on it anymore?

Earlier in the week we read that there is an indication we are finally going to "Plan" on throwing more, and the past two games supports that. Does it not bother anyone that it's about 8 years late? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for "better late than never". But I would have thought this would have garnered more discussion today?

I've given example after example every year where other programs have been able to do more with a passing game while we continue with the square peg in the round hole offense. I'm just happy that as a fan, even though I played the game for several years, but I never coached, that I am glad to see others who I would consider "Leading Authorities" on the subject agree that our style of offense is...out of style.

Rick

Green92 · November 10, 2005

Well said Rick, Run at all cost only works agains teams we have better athletes than. Anytime we come up against a team with greater speed, we lose. Just need to give the guys more to work with.

Then again, RF knows much more than I do.

PHSCoach · November 10, 2005

I see no real coalition between passing yards and the great teams of today.

Texas avg. more rushing yards per game then passing and at this time are number 2 in the nation.

Va. Tech, Cal, Miami, and Penn. St are listed below 70th in the nation in passing yards per game.

Yes USC in is the top 5 in passing yards per game and their def. Also is in the top 10 in the nation.

Our off has been a nightmare this year in the first 6 games about 12% of the time when trying to pass we were sacked 4% we were intercepted that is bad no matter how you want to look at it. We have the two national rushing champs in the backfield and cannot control the time of procession that is not a good sign. I would love to air it out 40 times a game but is the team ready too????

ntmeangreen11 · November 10, 2005

My high school runs the Wing-T and we're darn good at it too.

FirefightnRick · November 10, 2005

I see no real coalition between passing yards and the great teams of today.
Texas avg. more rushing yards per game then passing and at this time are number 2 in the nation.
Va. Tech, Cal, Miami, and Penn. St are listed below 70th in the nation in passing yards per game.
Yes USC in is the top 5 in passing yards per game and their def. Also is in the top 10 in the nation.
←

One correlation I do see with those teams you listed: Texas, Va Tech, Miami, Penn St is that they are all ranked 14th or better in defense, with Miami and Va Tech the top two, and Texas at 6th. Plus their overall size and speed, I assume, are at the top as well. I would "EXPECT" them to be able to do what they want with their overall size, speed and great defenses. If you can do that, you don't have to pass as much. Just look at last year's NT vs UT game. UT averaged over 8 yards per carry, no need to pass the ball. In fact, UT averaged 5.7 yards per carry against Michigan in that Rose bowl game last year. When you can dominate the line of scrimmage like that and control the game, there is not as great a need to pass. Yet even in that game, they still managed 16 of 28 passes for 188 yards. Texas, Va Tech, Miami rarely are at a speed/size/depth disadvantage . We alway's are but have historically acted like we average 380lbs per man up front. It's been very frustrating for NT fans. Maybe there is a change for the better coming. I can only hope.

Hell, I can remember several games that if NT passed 10 times we looked like BYU.

Rick

LongJim · November 11, 2005

Wendall Barnyard:
Junior quarterback Vince Young leads the team in rushing. His 86.4 yards per game ranks 45th nationally. Freshman Jamaal Charles is UT's top running back. His 78 yards per game ranks 60th.

That's very misleading. Charles is averaging 7.5 ypc. He's been injured for the past three games, and has about ~90 carries in 9 games. If he had carried the ball as many times as Missouri's Brad Smith, (or a typical Texas back) he'd probably be leading the nation in ypc. Texas is also running the ball by "committee", with 3-4 backs toting the rock, as they've been dinged up at RB.

"I feel like the trend right now is to get a guy back there who can do both [run and pass]," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "Vince's best asset is his ability to make plays. When he started running and everyone comes up [on defense], now he stops and throws. That's where he's so dangerous."

And that's where the athletic "freaks" like Smith, Young, McNeal are so dangerous. But the bottom line is that the offense *has* to be able to run the football--whether it's using the quarterback or not.

Even Taurean Henderson has about 85 ypg!

Would Earl Campbell be a starting running back at Texas, Would Eric Dickerson be a tight end or a wide receiver?

1. Of course he would. 2. Please.

"For years, the conventional wisdom for defensive coaches was, 'You have to stop the run,'" former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum said.

Guess what? Conventional wisdom still applies. Ask Gene Chizik, Joe Paterno, or Pete Carroll. Or DD.

Said ESPN analyst Bob Davie: "You think about the offenses in the state of Texas right now, there are no I-formation, line up and run the ball teams. There are more quarterback-oriented teams. It's a quarterback-dominated state."

No argument here, but my point is that the run is still formidable, and defenses have to be geared to stop it. And, for the good offensive teams, the run is still just as important as it was "yesterday"--no matter who's getting the yards.

But for now, at least, the running game has been run out of town. The state's two best teams -- 9-0 Texas and 8-1 Texas Tech -- are winning not because they're saddling up running backs. They're succeeding with modern-day offenses in which ground delivery is the ultimate in snail mail.

In Texas' case--malarkey. They're running by committee with several running backs and an alien QB. Young is B12 #3 in rushing ypg. TT's Henderson is #5. Charles is #6--again w/about 6 games of carries. Selvin Young, Henry Melton, Chris Ogbonnaya, Ramonce Taylor have all been getting carries for UT. Texas Tech is Texas Tech, but they're still ahead of *gasp* Nebraska in rushing offense.

For the record: I'm not saying UNT should 'run at all costs'. I'd LOVE to see what DM can do when he gets not only his wheels under him, but a bit more development throwing the ball. I wouldn't be averse to seeing the MG run a spread option, but God save me from the run-and-shoot...

Edited November 11, 2005 by LongJim

PlummMeanGreen · November 11, 2005

Well said Rick, Run at all cost only works agains teams we have better athletes than. Anytime we come up against a team with greater speed, we lose. Just need to give the guys more to work with.

Then again, RF knows much more than I do.

.................................................

That "run" theory, Green92, seems to have more merit each day for this alum.

GMG!

Edited November 11, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

FirefightnRick · November 11, 2005

Even Taurean Henderson has about 85 ypg!

TE is averaging 84.11 yards per game to be exact, but I guarantee it's not from running straight ahead at 9 defensive men within 7 yards of the LOS. And I agree with Long Jim in that the ability to run the ball is a must. But evidently our version of running the ball isn't the same as others. Averaging as the 106th worse offense for 7 years running screams for a change.

Rick