RB usage this season

[Stormin]

I don't see Warren getting as many touches (if any) this year. I feel like we might see 2 running backs in the backfield at times. I really can't wait to see Kene.
I'd say
70% Montgomery
25% Kene/Croney
5% Lang/Warren

Montgomery will not get 70% of carries. If we average 40 rush attempts per game then that would be 28 carries per game. No way. Look for him to maybe be at 50% of carries. Or 20 carries per game.

Mike Warren will get a few carries. Maybe average a couple carries a game. Lang about the same. Croney and Kene will probably get about about 6 carries apiece her game. And there will be some QB carries as well. Joel Lanning had the second most carries last year.

Campbell will keep Montgomery fresh. With the running backs we have it is foolish to pound him as hard as you are suggesting.

 

[madguy30]

Montgomery will not get 70% of carries. If we average 40 rush attempts per game then that would be 28 carries per game. No way. Look for him to maybe be at 50% of carries. Or 20 carries per game.



Mike Warren will get a few carries. Maybe average a couple carries a game. Lang about the same. Croney and Kene will probably get about about 6 carries apiece her game. And there will be some QB carries as well. Joel Lanning had the second most carries last year.

Campbell will keep Montgomery fresh. With the running backs we have it is foolish to pound him as hard as you are suggesting.

If ISU averages 40 rushes/game, we're possibly looking at a fun season. That would show a run game that controls the game, which is what ISU needs.

 

[Clone9]

I really think there will be some additional "non-traditional" touches for the RBs this year. Especially Kene, who might fill in for some of Trevor Ryen's end-arounds and WR screens. I agree that we'll see more 2 RB sets and some swing passes - anything to get Kene the ball with some space in front of him. Also more RBs lining up in the slot for end arounds and such.

 

[Clone Nation]

Montgomery will not get 70% of carries. If we average 40 rush attempts per game then that would be 28 carries per game. No way. Look for him to maybe be at 50% of carries. Or 20 carries per game.

Mike Warren will get a few carries. Maybe average a couple carries a game. Lang about the same. Croney and Kene will probably get about about 6 carries apiece her game. And there will be some QB carries as well. Joel Lanning had the second most carries last year.

Campbell will keep Montgomery fresh. With the running backs we have it is foolish to pound him as hard as you are suggesting.

We averaged 32 rush attempts last year... I doubt we are going to run the ball 40 times a game. I think we run the ball 30 times next year. I think DM get 17-20 carries a game. (He had 20 carries a game last year). Croney and Kene will get 4 each and the maybe Warren and lang will get a couple carries.

 

[CyFy]

I must be missing with croney. I really don't think he looks very impressive. He reminds me of the former RBs we had that were good before Campbell. Solid backs but just not in the same class as these other guys in the big 12. If Warren can get the fumble thing down he is a lot better option as well I think. Idk maybe someone can provide some visual evidence but to me I would rank our backs with mont and kene well above the rest with lang being 3

 

[Stormin]

If ISU averages 40 rushes/game, we're possibly looking at a fun season. That would show a run game that controls the game, which is what ISU needs.

Offensive Line will be better. Matt Campbell’s last 2 teams at Toledo averaged 44 carries and 41 carries per game. Expect this next year to be at about that level.

Offensive Line issues were the reason we have had less carries in Campbell’s first 2 years.

No way we only rush 30 times per game this next year. We will pound the rock. Keep our defense rested with ball control. We have the weapons to make opponents who stack the box pay dearly.

 

[Stormin]

I must be missing with croney. I really don't think he looks very impressive. He reminds me of the former RBs we had that were good before Campbell. Solid backs but just not in the same class as these other guys in the big 12. If Warren can get the fumble thing down he is a lot better option as well I think. Idk maybe someone can provide some visual evidence but to me I would rank our backs with mont and kene well above the rest with lang being 3

Croney has good hands and solid fundamentals. Just doesn’t have elite speed. But a very good solid player. He improved immensely last season. His first couple years he was dealing with the gunshot that he suffered from prior to his freshman year. That really hurt him. Croney led the team in yards per carry last year.

Kene will likely get kickoff return duties. Which will give him touches in addition to his carries. Lang is still very inexperienced. Great potential but I don’t see a RS Frosh with little experience getting many carries with the RB’s we have.

Mike Warren had some injury issues last year. Missed several games. ISU backs had one fumble the whole year. A questionable fumble by Montgomery versus Memphis.

 

[Clone Nation]

I must be missing with croney. I really don't think he looks very impressive. He reminds me of the former RBs we had that were good before Campbell. Solid backs but just not in the same class as these other guys in the big 12. If Warren can get the fumble thing down he is a lot better option as well I think. Idk maybe someone can provide some visual evidence but to me I would rank our backs with mont and kene well above the rest with lang being 3

He has a good mix of power and speed. The coaches seem to love him, so that says a lot. He's the perfect back up for DM. Kene and Lang will bring speed and elusiveness

 

[CTTB78]

Has Warren ever been used to return punts?

 

[Clone Nation]

Has Warren ever been used to return punts?

I don't believe so. I'm going to guess Kene or Akers will do it this year.

 

[IASTATE07]

Has Warren ever been used to return punts?

According to sports reference he was used for kick returns last year, but has never been used for punt returns.

 

[madguy30]

Has Warren ever been used to return punts?

Wasn't it just AL last year basically just to fair catch it every time?

 

[bthebutcher]

I must be missing with croney. I really don't think he looks very impressive. He reminds me of the former RBs we had that were good before Campbell. Solid backs but just not in the same class as these other guys in the big 12. If Warren can get the fumble thing down he is a lot better option as well I think. Idk maybe someone can provide some visual evidence but to me I would rank our backs with mont and kene well above the rest with lang being 3

Croney is easily the #2 back. He was very effective with the opportunities he got in the Baylor and Kansas State games. Campbell has commented that he's a complete back.

 

[Spanky]

What, no designated run plays for Kyle?

 

[bthebutcher]

Wasn't it just AL last year basically just to fair catch it every time?

I'd like to see DeShaunte Jones get a chance at returning punts.

 

[CascadeClone]

What, no designated run plays for Kyle?

One of WRNL's "100 things to forget" ought to be the zone-read. Ugh. Almost as bad as Barney "20 QB Draws per game" Cotton

 

[coolerifyoudid]

What, no designated run plays for Kyle?

Sadly, Kyle-dozer doesn't roll off the tongue.

 

[Doc]

What is understated is DM's pass blocking. I'd say put in Croney, Warren or Kene on obvious passing 3rd downs just to keep DM fresh but his blocking and receiving ability might not allow that unless the others can adequately fill in.

I take them saying Croney is the most complete to mean that he is a better blocker than DM because I doubt he’s a better runner or receiver than DM. That being said, I suspect that we will see Croney replace Montgomery for complete series rather than individual plays.

The way I see it is that Montgomery is the guy in your main offense, Croney is his backup, and Kene is the guy you’re spending most of your play calling creativity and energy to get the ball to.

 

[Doc]

I hate to be the guy that thinks trick plays are much more than gimmicks, but don’t forget that DM has a cannon for an arm. I bet we’ll see him chuck it after a backwards swing pass sometime this year.

 

[Doc]

Montgomery will not get 70% of carries. If we average 40 rush attempts per game then that would be 28 carries per game. No way. Look for him to maybe be at 50% of carries. Or 20 carries per game.

Mike Warren will get a few carries. Maybe average a couple carries a game. Lang about the same. Croney and Kene will probably get about about 6 carries apiece her game. And there will be some QB carries as well. Joel Lanning had the second most carries last year.

Campbell will keep Montgomery fresh. With the running backs we have it is foolish to pound him as hard as you are suggesting.

It seems foolish to pound Montgomery until you’re in a fight against Iowa, OU, or god forbid, the jackrabbits, and you realize he is one of the best players in the country, one of your true difference makers, and maybe the only guy who can get you a first down when nothing is working.

We always have these bright ideas about resting guys in the off-season, but things change when somebody hits you in the face.