What is the reason for the running game being better?

[CyCloned]

I know, dumb question, it is Hall in general. But beyond that, is there something that the OL is doing better, or is it the use on 3 TEs a lot, or is Downing a huge addition or that ISU has played bad defenses lately or is it all because Hall is just a very good running back? Does the line play harder when they know a guy like Hill can turn a 2 yard game into a TD?

I still think Lang is a good back, and Kene has his moments. Hill definitely passes as a blocker, which will keep Croney on the sideline a lot. He has had some nice pickups and has destroyed a couple guys on the edge.

 

[CyHans]

I think CW wrote an article on this and said Hall was doing a better job of hitting the hole and reading his blocks and that the OL was improving each game. So I'd say it's a lot of both. Hall also is blocking better which was something he didn't do well in the UNI game so that has also helped keep him in the lineup.

 

[FOREVERTRUE]

I know, dumb question, it is Hall in general. But beyond that, is there something that the OL is doing better, or is it the use on 3 TEs a lot, or is Downing a huge addition or that ISU has played bad defenses lately or is it all because Hall is just a very good running back? Does the line play harder when they know a guy like Hill can turn a 2 yard game into a TD?

YES I pick F all the above.

 

[inCyteful]

I know, dumb question, it is Hall in general. But beyond that, is there something that the OL is doing better, or is it the use on 3 TEs a lot, or is Downing a huge addition or that ISU has played bad defenses lately or is it all because Hall is just a very good running back? Does the line play harder when they know a guy like Hill can turn a 2 yard game into a TD?

I still think Lang is a good back, and Kene has his moments. Hill definitely passes as a blocker, which will keep Croney on the sideline a lot. He has had some nice pickups and has destroyed a couple guys on the edge.

I don't think I would say it is Hall in general. I think he is part of it but not sure the biggest part of it.

i.e. If DM were still here he would be having a great deal more success behind this scheme.

I think it is just the evolution of the program. Better linemen, more experienced linemen, more depth in the line, more experience OC, QB is requiring more attention, WRs are requiring more attention, TEs are requiring more attention.

Our offense is becoming a b_tch to plan for.

 

[Steve]

I don't think I would say it is Hall in general. I think he is part of it but not sure the biggest part of it.

i.e. If DM were still here he would be having a great deal more success behind this scheme.

I think it is just the evolution of the program. Better linemen, more experienced linemen, more depth in the line, more experience OC, QB is requiring more attention, WRs are requiring more attention, TEs are requiring more attention.

Our offense is becoming a b_tch to plan for.

Agree with what you are saying. But to avoid leaving out a long list of contributing factors, just call it The Process.

 

[knowlesjam]

I don't think I would say it is Hall in general. I think he is part of it but not sure the biggest part of it.

i.e. If DM were still here he would be having a great deal more success behind this scheme.

I think it is just the evolution of the program. Better linemen, more experienced linemen, more depth in the line, more experience OC, QB is requiring more attention, WRs are requiring more attention, TEs are requiring more attention.

Our offense is becoming a b_tch to plan for.

This. It's late October...for a change, we have depth, many players have received some breaks, and the other teams are beginning to tire out, especially those that don't have the depth. In other words, what typically has happened to ISU later in the year is happening to the teams ISU is playing. Honestly, only OU has greater depth...even Texas is pretty thin at places due to youth or injury.

 

[AuH2O]

A few factors.
-Overall improvement by all the OL. Keep in mind Kene and Lang have also been very efficient running the ball this year
-Emergence of Chase Allen as a run blocker and receiving threat. He's been unreal in the running game as a blocker. The best non OL run blocker we've had in a long time. This has a huge effect. It makes their 2 TE package more of a receiving threat than it was much of last year with Allen or Soehner alongside Kolar. Also makes their 2 TE plus F package with Kolar, Allen and Soehner much more a threat in the passing game than it was last year.
- Not sure it is as versatile, but with Newell out and Downing in the line is more physical.
- Hall is the perfect back for this scheme, can get you tough yards, finish runs to get an extra yard and can make big pays. His 3 down capabilities makes play calling unpredictable. Having a guy that is good in all three phases of RB play makes it tough to scheme.
- Play calling- Willingness to test the edge in the run game. I think utilization of the backs, esp Hall and Laing in the passing game makes life more difficult for LBs in general.

 

[VeloClone]

Don't discount Hall getting more comfortable as a big part of it. He is hitting holes harder and earlier and now knows where his blockers are going. The discussion in articles and podcasts on this site are illuminating as to how he is not just hitting the right hole but is hitting the right spot of the hole often scraping his blockers making it more difficult for other unblocked pursuers to stop him. The way he finishes runs doesn't hurt either. There are a lot of d-backs who are a little more hesitant to take him on head on by the middle of the third quarter.

 

[ropingcy]

Jay Jordan talked about early this year that the backs weren't getting the extra yards that were available (not reading holes correctly, going down on first contact, etc.) I think Hall has now evolved where he is now picking up the extra yards that were available.

 

[inCyteful]

Agree with what you are saying. But to avoid leaving out a long list of contributing factors, just call it The Process.

Well here's the deal -

I used to love the process. Actually, I still do.

But as I started loving the process, it started loving me back.

Wife wasn't such a big fan of that, so I keep it on the side for now.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Don't discount Hall getting more comfortable as a big part of it. He is hitting holes harder and earlier and now knows where his blockers are going. The discussion in articles and podcasts on this site are illuminating as to how he is not just hitting the right hole but is hitting the right spot of the hole often scraping his blockers making it more difficult for other unblocked pursuers to stop him. The way he finishes runs doesn't hurt either. There are a lot of d-backs who are a little more hesitant to take him on head on by the middle of the third quarter.

This isn't far off from contrasting Robert Smith commentary in one of our early games versus commentary on same "freshman" last week. Smith does know something about being a running back. Seems Hall improved on all all of the stuff Smith noted early as things he needed to learn/do. Smith's comments weren't negative just objective observations in that early game, especially about blocking and reads.

 

[SolarGarlic]

Hall is running with more authority and confidence. I don't think we can discount that the defenses have gotten worse.

 

[DeereClone]

I think Hall is head and shoulders above the other backs in terms of natural instinct, feel for the game, cut ability, vision, and explosiveness and we are seeing the results of that.

TE blocking hasn’t improved a ton too.

O line has been steadily improving which has helped, but the biggest changes are the backs and TEs.

 

[VeloClone]

This isn't far off from contrasting Robert Smith commentary in one of our early games versus commentary on same "freshman" last week. Smith does know something about being a running back. Seems Hall improved on all all of the stuff Smith noted early as things he needed to learn/do. Smith's comments weren't negative just objective observations in that early game, especially about blocking and reads.

No argument on Smith's pedigree. He was a very capable and supremely smart RB.

As cliche as the phrase "The game has slowed down for him." is, there is a lot of truth to it. A player playing with confidence that he knows what he is doing will play faster and without hesitation. That results in being at the right place at the right time in pass protection; more decisive cuts, hitting the hole quicker and finishing runs stronger in the running game; and running precise routes in the passing game - all things we have seen from Hall improve.

 

[heitclone]

The OL is improved but they have played well in the run game more or less all year. Hall is the difference. He looked like he was in slow motion early in the season, now he's hitting every hole with authority and it doesn't hurt that he is super fast. On his big plays, he doesn't even look like hes trying and he's running away from dudes. I was pretty high on Lang, even Kene but Hall has intangibles that neither have.

 

[Dopey]

Don't discount Hall getting more comfortable as a big part of it. He is hitting holes harder and earlier and now knows where his blockers are going. The discussion in articles and podcasts on this site are illuminating as to how he is not just hitting the right hole but is hitting the right spot of the hole often scraping his blockers making it more difficult for other unblocked pursuers to stop him. The way he finishes runs doesn't hurt either. There are a lot of d-backs who are a little more hesitant to take him on head on by the middle of the third quarter.

This is the biggest reason in my mind, by far.

 

[Peter]

Oline is much improved, TEs and WRs get after it blocking, and Hall has elite vision and athleticism. He will be ripping chunks off OSU tomorrow.

 

[madguy30]

I think everything's connected.

He's better at YAC and is naturally squared up to always be 'forward', and seems to have more acceleration off the pivot.

The Oline's experience is showing...they seem to be playing off one another.

3 TEs that can block, along with WR's as well.

Is ISU more 'multiple' in who's targeted for receivers, i.e. are more receivers getting catches compared to the last two years? Seems like it, and I think that threat makes it more difficult to prepare for the run.

 

[VeloClone]

...

Is ISU more 'multiple' in who's targeted for receivers, i.e. are more receivers getting catches compared to the last two years? Seems like it, and I think that threat makes it more difficult to prepare for the run.

This is a great point.

 

[FinalFourCy]

This isn't far off from contrasting Robert Smith commentary in one of our early games versus commentary on same "freshman" last week. Smith does know something about being a running back. Seems Hall improved on all all of the stuff Smith noted early as things he needed to learn/do. Smith's comments weren't negative just objective observations in that early game, especially about blocking and reads.

Good recollection.
As Smith pointed out, the RBs were not getting all that the OL was providing earlier in the year.
Hall has seemingly made those improvements quickly as a freshman. Hopefully it continues.

The running backs had good ypc without breaking off long runs that tend to inflate those averages. That’s a testament to the OL.

Imo the next level is consistently getting the short yardage type runs. I’m not sure we’re physically there yet, but under this staff, it’s coming.