running back rotation

[PCHawk]

All in all I think the coaches did a good job. I liked when they brought Weisman in on a 3rd and short early in the game when it wasn't his series. Also liked that Danials was the second back in the game. It means he must be killing it in practice. He might be our clear number one by the end of the year.

One thing I didn't like at all was towards the end of the game when we were trying to burn the clock. Weisman had 3 good runs in a row and came out of the game for a breather which I had no problem with. What didn't like is a timeout ended up being called which gave Weisman all the rest he needed. I think they should have brought him back in the game to run the 2nd and 3. Odds are really good that Weisman will pick up 3 yards on 2 carries.

Seems like a bit nit picky maybe but for a guy who wants to play the percentages I think it was a pretty bad decision. What does everyone else think of the rotation?

 

[Hawknick]

151 rushing yards to just 25 for UNI. It was a good effort by the Iowa players. Also good run defense by Iowa. Running for 5 times what the opponents do is rather good.

 

[NCHawker]

The running game did not impress me that much. see Yds per attempt for the running backs. I would have thought that, if Iowa is a top 25 team, and given UNI is DII then we would see some long runs broken.

Iowa Rushing
	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LG
Tevaun Smith	1	35	35.0	0	35
Mark Weisman	10	34	3.4	1	7
Jordan Canzeri	7	22	3.1	0	8
Jonathan Parker	1	21	21.0	0	21
Jake Rudock	4	17	4.3	0	12
LeShun Daniels Jr.	8	15	1.9	1	13
Damon Bullock	3	10	3.3	0	4
Team	2	-3	-1.5	0	0
Team	36	151	4.2	2	35

 

[mrolympia]

how many of those negative and short yardage plays came after an audible, which UNI figured out early was a run so send all 11 guys to stop it?

 

[ShemHawk]

One thought I had watching Daniels was that he seemed have that touchdown run to the outside on his mind the rest of the game, because it seemed to me he either missed or ignored a lot of cut opportunities to turn upfield. Way outside the tackles is not where he and MW are going to make their mark...usually.

 

[ICHawk24]

I liked the RB rotation, and the skill positions players in general. They all got reps.

To me, the o-line struggled today, which is what damaged the ypc.

 

[PhoenixHawk]

Nice to see everyone get some playing time. Wish I could say the same for the QB position.

 

[glidinghawk]

I liked the RB rotation, and the skill positions players in general. They all got reps.

To me, the o-line struggled today, which is what damaged the ypc.

I disagree. Ruddock got a lot of protection, but the DBs for UNI seemed to do good coverage on the WRs much of the time and Ruddock stil had time to go to the short outlet. And any time a team gets over 150 yards rushing, the OL is performing well.

 

[ajkhawkeye]

I disagree. Ruddock got a lot of protection, but the DBs for UNI seemed to do good coverage on the WRs much of the time and Ruddock stil had time to go to the short outlet. And any time a team gets over 150 yards rushing, the OL is performing well.

When 56 of those yards are on 'trick' plays though....leaves room for improvement

 

[franstheman]

I disagree. Ruddock got a lot of protection, but the DBs for UNI seemed to do good coverage on the WRs much of the time and Ruddock stil had time to go to the short outlet. And any time a team gets over 150 yards rushing, the OL is performing well.

Well 56 of those were on WR reverses...

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Iowa RB rushed for 102 yards on 28 carries versus UNI. I don't find that (3.6 YPC) very impressive.. Also I'm not a big fan of RB by committee..

 

[bws258]

more touches for Daniels please

 

[ICHawk24]

The non-reverse rushing was 34 for 95 at 2.8 ypc. In my book, that is struggling. The o-line struggled on the run, did fine in pass protect.

 

[bigjim]

I was just wondering why Weisman didn't get more carries than he did?

 

[Katan]

more touches for Daniels please

I'm concerned about him. He wanted to bounce out every run. One worked, every other did not. He is not playing like someone that needs more touches.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I was just wondering why Weisman didn't get more carries than he did?

Gonna try and keep him a healthy for a full year.

 

[bws258]

I'm concerned about him. He wanted to bounce out every run. One worked, every other did not. He is not playing like someone that needs more touches.

That's the kind of thing that gets resolved with experience. Lots of young players think they can get the corner turned, like they did in HS. He's got more talent than Weisman and Bullock combined. Coach him up better and get him on-field experience.

BTW, second best talent is Canzeri, I'd have moved Weisman back to FB.

 

[guffus]

Did not realize that Bullock only got 3 carries. He and Daniels should both get around 5 carries a game.

Daniels looked good early then ends up with a 1.9 ypc average? At least Daniels showed some potential to justify getting some playing time but not enough to justify taking away carries from Weisman or Canzeri's time

 

[ICHawk24]

"Best" talent Daniels goes 1.9

"Second best" talent Canzeri 3.1

Good luck on your quixotic quest to turn Weisman into a FB.

 

[AlexHidell]

Iowa only had 100 yards in the "traditional" running game. 56 of the rush yards came on the 2 end-arounds, including 35 on the busted play by Tevaun Smith. Weisman led the 4 RBs with 34 yards from scrimmage, and also had the high per-carry-average with a whopping 3.4. All of this against a mighty MVFC team that wasn't even good enough to make the playoffs either of the last 2 years. I would hardly call Iowa's running game a rousing success today.