Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Ohio Rushing effectiveness
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L.C.
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L.C.
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Posted: 11/14/2016 1:11 PM
I added up the stats for Ohio's running backs, by year. Note that this isn't the complete rushing data as it excludes runs by wide receivers and by quarterbacks. It does include both running backs and fullbacks, where applicable.
Year Carries Yards Avg/Carry
2004 253 1136 4.5 (McRae, Roush, S. Owens, Young, Abrams)
2005 272 1428 5.3 (McRae, V. Owens, Magee, Young, Abrams, Sullivan)
2006 340 1570 4.6 (McRae, V. Owens, Garrett, Morsillo, Abrams)
2007 331 1620 4.9 (McRae, Garrett, Davidson, Abrams, Morsillo, Harden)
2008 252 1167 4.6 (Garrett, Harden, Davidson, Flintall, White)
2009 293 1202 4.1 (Garrett, Davidson, Harden, Flintall)
2010 261 1128 4.3 (Davidson, Harden, Boykin, Dallas Brown)
2011 387 1889 4.9 (Harden, Blankenship, Boykin, Favors)
2012 436 2359 5.4 (Blankenship, Boykin, Daz, Hammonds, Palermo)
2013 376 1628 4.3 (Blankenship, Boykin, Daz, Edmonds)
2014 288 1253 4.4 (AJ, Daz, Edmond, Brown, White)
2015 367 1826 5.0 (AJ, Daz, Brown, Irons, White, Hardy)
2016 273 1430 5.2 (Brown, Irons, Hardy, White, AJ, Emanuele)

Only Knorr year in the ESPN data - 4.5/carry
I formation with traditional blocking - 5.3/carry
I formation with zone blocking (2006-10) - 4.5/carry
Pistol set with zone blocking, Lightner (2011-14) - 4.8/carry
Pistol set with zone blocking, Johnson (2015-16) - 5.1/carry

Here are a few things I notice, some of which are not what I expected:
1. The per carry average in the two back set from 2005-2010 was 4.6, while the per carry average from the Pistol has been 4.9.
2. The per carry average dropped significantly in 2006 when Ohio moved away from traditional blocking to zone blocking. Zone blocking doesn't appear to work as well with the I formation, probably because the backs are closer, and don't have time to read the zone blocks.
3. Ohio has significantly more running back carries from the spread than they did from the I formation. They averaged 292 carries a year from the I, and they are running at 368 a year from the pistol.
4. Since Johnson took over for Lightner, the per carry average is up significantly. Only 2005 and 2012 are higher than 2015 and 2016.
5. Some of the best teams did not have great rushing effectiveness (2006, 2009) while some of the teams with great yards per carry were not that great of teams (2005, 2012). Most of the teams that struggled to run the ball were not that effective, though (2004,2008,2013,2014).

I like the rushing attack that has developed from the BG game last year onward. The offensive line has been much improved, and even down to 5th string Ohio has very good backs. Furthermore, the offensive like continues to improve, and the numbers appear to be heading higher.
Last Edited: 11/14/2016 1:26:25 PM by L.C.
ytownbobcat
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Posted: 11/14/2016 4:13 PM
We should finish strong in this area. Akron seems to really struggle against the run. I think CMU will be tougher.

Our rushing game is much more effective when we have a QB who can throw the long and short routes accurately and also can run to keep the defense guessing.

Good balance on offense with 50% run and strategic passing makes our team difficult to defend.
GoCats105
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Posted: 11/14/2016 4:13 PM
I miss the Roadgrader.
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