Howe: Hawkeyes Working with Unusual Running Back Dynamic
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
JoeyLabasForPresident
Well-Known Member
Nice article. These two mentalities will be put to the test in the Wisconsin game. Does Iowa’s committee outpace Taylor in the fourth quarter, or does Taylor look like a man among boys?
Interesting to see where this goes. I feel like in 2017, Iowa was starting to get pretty creative with using Butler and Wadley, and then all of the sudden Butler was lost, and all of that stuff disappeared.
I wonder if we start seeing more creative usage of the RBs coming out of the bye? The good thing this time around, a single injury won't sink those plans.
I wonder if we start seeing more creative usage of the RBs coming out of the bye? The good thing this time around, a single injury won't sink those plans.
Butler got injured, maybe an elbow or such, which limited his action for a few games. But Butler was pretty healthy the last two games and exploded for a about a 20 yard TD run against Nebby that year and the Off linemen just gave him a great group hug.
Zstatman
Well-Known Member
Yes, good article, Rob.
Since I'm the 1000 career yard rushing guy, here's an update:
career rushing yards going into MTSU game:
953 Sarge
950 TY
545 IKM
105 TG
So, we could see 2 RBs enter the club on Saturday! Hopefully we'll see the entire 1000 yards rushing club list tacked onto this football section once again (hint, hint) so we can watch them climb the ladder.
Rob, you ponder whether the rotation will tighten going forward. I'm guessing some of these guys will get dinged up as we enter the meat of B1G play and we'll need them all. I wouldn't be surprised but what Shadrick Byrd gets action in at least four games and keeps his redshirt. I'd like to see Byryd some as by all accounts he had a good spring. And, I'd hate to see him transfer.
We'll see how all this kumbaya stuff holds up after the season. I don't see any of them going pro early. But, could 1-2 of them grad transfer out to try and become the featured back elsewhere? Possibly, me thinks. Maybe there's an FBS school that will have a completely depleted RB corp? Maybe a MAC,, C-USA, Mountain West, Sun Belt? And, there's always the FCS route? If I were Byrd and I saw myself behind these same four guys next year I might consider leaving.
Off the top of my head i don't remember if we have a stud RB coming in next year but, if so, there's that to consider as well.
I see our RB situation as a plethora of good RBs and that's a good thing. Goodson seems like the guy that might have the 'it' factor but BF and Derrick Foster are bringing him along slowly and that's OK, we want him picking up those blitzes, etc.
Isn't it fun having a deep RB group and WR group as well for that matter.
Since I'm the 1000 career yard rushing guy, here's an update:
career rushing yards going into MTSU game:
953 Sarge
950 TY
545 IKM
105 TG
So, we could see 2 RBs enter the club on Saturday! Hopefully we'll see the entire 1000 yards rushing club list tacked onto this football section once again (hint, hint) so we can watch them climb the ladder.
Rob, you ponder whether the rotation will tighten going forward. I'm guessing some of these guys will get dinged up as we enter the meat of B1G play and we'll need them all. I wouldn't be surprised but what Shadrick Byrd gets action in at least four games and keeps his redshirt. I'd like to see Byryd some as by all accounts he had a good spring. And, I'd hate to see him transfer.
We'll see how all this kumbaya stuff holds up after the season. I don't see any of them going pro early. But, could 1-2 of them grad transfer out to try and become the featured back elsewhere? Possibly, me thinks. Maybe there's an FBS school that will have a completely depleted RB corp? Maybe a MAC,, C-USA, Mountain West, Sun Belt? And, there's always the FCS route? If I were Byrd and I saw myself behind these same four guys next year I might consider leaving.
Off the top of my head i don't remember if we have a stud RB coming in next year but, if so, there's that to consider as well.
I see our RB situation as a plethora of good RBs and that's a good thing. Goodson seems like the guy that might have the 'it' factor but BF and Derrick Foster are bringing him along slowly and that's OK, we want him picking up those blitzes, etc.
Isn't it fun having a deep RB group and WR group as well for that matter.
Last year it seemed onlookers and fans thought the running backs were missing some holes and cutback opportunities. Maybe even the coaches did also. I dont think it hurts to give all of them some carries and see who has the hot game going and who is making the right cuts and decisions. As the individual game goes on and the season then maybe two of them will get most of the carries in crunch time.
I think Toren Young with his bulk and maybe more power needs to get his carries to stay mentally and physically in each game for when we need his style. They are all very good running backs.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
We have two RB commits for next year. In State Gavin Williams (taller back with speed) who had a nice offer list, and Leshon Williams (power/vision) from Illinois who is more of the Shonn Greene mold (not saying he’s Shonn Greene just the style).
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I think as the season wears on Sargent and Goodson are your two feature backs, with the other guys getting the occasional run.
Toren Young is a “power back” but I’m not sure if Sargent isn’t the better short yardage back. Young is taller and runs fairly high where Sargent can sneak behind the linemen and still packs a punch. I rewatched the Iowa State game and he was dragging tacklers forward on nearly every run.
IKM looks improved this year so his speed can be utilized at times.
I do like the two RB set where they both flank Stanley in the shotgun.
Toren Young is a “power back” but I’m not sure if Sargent isn’t the better short yardage back. Young is taller and runs fairly high where Sargent can sneak behind the linemen and still packs a punch. I rewatched the Iowa State game and he was dragging tacklers forward on nearly every run.
IKM looks improved this year so his speed can be utilized at times.
I do like the two RB set where they both flank Stanley in the shotgun.
Robowe
Well-Known Member
guffus
Well-Known Member
The coaches must feel that Goodson has a high ceiling because so far I have not seen much that has set himself apart from the more experienced junior RB's on the team.
He did have that 1 run against ISU where he juked 2 defenders in the backfield and turned it into a long gain, but other than that, not sure why he is getting so many carries.
Hopefully all my doubts will go away as the season progresses.
He did have that 1 run against ISU where he juked 2 defenders in the backfield and turned it into a long gain, but other than that, not sure why he is getting so many carries.
Hopefully all my doubts will go away as the season progresses.
guffus
Well-Known Member
Let's see
2018 - IKM was hurt
2017 - Butler was hurt
2016 - Daniels and Wadley were the 2 primary backs and both went over 1000 yards.
So I am guessing the answer is 2016.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
These are cuts that no other back on our team has the ability to make. The announcers even said it live during that game. Granted he did get tripped up on the first run, but if you can’t see the potential talent Goodson possesses, I would say you haven’t been watching closely.
The fact that he is getting reps as a freshman with three established backs in front of him tells you he’s pretty special.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
My thoughts on the RB rotation are Goodson and IKM are both trending up. Sargeant would be status quo and I would say that Young is down. I like both Young and Sargeant but I think you need to go with 1 of those type of guys and then more Goodson and IKM to challenge defenses and be more explosive.
hawkeyes87
Well-Known Member
Wasn't there supposed to be a 3rd back in '16, though? Was that Mitchell?
Yes with the two running back sets, finally. Heck when you do that you have two of your best offensive skill position players in the game at the same. Run them or pass to them with easy passes in space.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I would agree with this but also add that to me this year’s Sargent looks better than last year. He’s running hard and looks to have a little bit more burst.
