Explaining the Run Game / OL ( A bit long, sorry)

[Letterkenny]

My thoughts after having watched the game 3 times now:

Something in our strategy is a dead giveaway to what play it is. Not even personnel & formation. Some movement by the guards (think they usually are the keys for the middle LBs & safeties) or something else, but the other teams are flying in to make their fits & they ain't run blitzes. Think we tip our pitches some way & those that know, "know" - hence the outcome this past Saturday & the bowl game last year against Memphis.

There were numerous times our OL plain whiffed on their blocks against defenders directly across the LOS, not even 2nd level. Again, don't know if we are tipping our pitches or if the OL are indecisive due to it being an RPO, or whatever, these occurrences are glaring.

The team doesn't carry out the full play at all times; therefore, a lot of our play-actions do not resemble running plays enough from the get-go, so defense read pass far too quickly. Having play-action resembling actual running plays is an art, and we are still using crayons and not staying inside the lines.

We don't utilize RBs out of the backfield very well as pass receivers. Angle routes, wheel routes, or simply check downs out of the backfield could be so effective, and with Jackson potentially game breaking. However, we just don't attempt them, let along draw plays. RB-screens are rarely used.

On the Hansen TD, like 4 Cincinnati defenders were in the backfield immediately. 2-3 OL just completely whiffed and ended up in the end zone not blocking anybody. One of the linebackers had a clean shot at Hansen and he just ran through the tackle. It was a horrendously blocked play and we still score just because Hansen made a great play, and honestly, some of the defenders were in the backfield too quickly and overran the play.

 

[VeloClone]

Regarding the run game and offensive line.

1) I'd say on average, 70-80% or higher of our running plays occur between the tackles. Well, as a defensive line coach, DC, etc, that takes the guess work out. When you add that with the fact that 95% of the time, the RB gets the back from a single back set since the TE / H is usually flex up nearer to the line of scrimmage and the QB run game is a minimal part of the offense - again, it makes it simple for opposing defenses. Additionally, when was the last time Iowa State ran a draw? A shovel pass? Counter? We run split zone, some G scheme concepts and lead, occasionally outside / stretch but not a lot else. All of that makes our run game relatively generic and easy to prepare for.

Well, when you don't have 5 NFL offensive linemen, 3 or maybe even more than possibly one - a generic rushing attack + a injured most effective running back + a little bit of predictability in play calling on when we run and when we throw... I mean....

Frankly, I'd be more amazed if we were having great success running the ball. Why did we run the ball better in the second half?

QB Run game - because no one accounted for Rocco.
Toss play to Sama for the 27 yard TD. One of the runs by Rocco was an option.

I will give you 5 Anthony Munoz's. Or 5 Larry Allen's. And you give me four average to slightly above average NFL Defensive linemen, and another 2-3 average to above average NFL linebackers and one Safety. And you ain't running the ball for crap if they know the where, the who and the when.

Well, for Iowa State, now take that and put 5 average offensive linemen, to maybe a couple above average. And it gets even harder.


The most frustrating thing for me watching it is that we only need 2 damn run plays. One side and one outside. Toss and gap. Power and option. I don't care which. But if you can run outside it prevents the safeties from slamming down unaccounted for inbetween the tackles which is what Cincy did to Hansen in the first half. Cause they knew we weren't running outside. And it prevents your DE or 4 technique for slamming down hard inside because now they have a exterior threat.

Hell, run a bubble screen. Because again, now that safety can't just fly down field. He's got to respect the perimeter. Right now, they don't and it makes running between the tackles harder.

Right now, we're trying to block 7-8 with 5-6. Its not a genius thing to realize that doesn't work or becomes hard.

No one expects Rocco to keep it, so they're not going to waste a defender on him.
No one expects us to hit outside, so their LB's and safeties can crowd the box. Did you see how damn close Cincy's LB's were stacked behind their DL? Those dudes gave zero F's about an outside run threat.

And all of that makes it harder for an OL because as an OL, its about your eyes. You've got the DL as the obvious threat, duh, but then you want to see OK, I climb to him or we scoop here or combo there, etc... all that gets muddied when you allow the defense to muddy the box. And everything happens so fast. An average football play takes 3-4 seconds as most people know.

For an offensive or defensive linemen, you either win or lose your battle in roughly 0.5 to 1.5 seconds in the run game. So if you aren't sure on the look on what you see, or the box is muddied where maybe you step wrong because you're expecting A but get B... you are effed. And its either a sack, a TFL, or a holding penalty or a LB says hello to the running back at the LOS.


As good as Noel and Higgins are, they're not scary - like Tyreek Hill is scary. Or Randy moss, was scary or Justin Jefferson etc. They are very good receivers, don't get me wrong. But they're not going to scare you until giving a light box. They'll win a one on one matchup, sure, but they're not just taking the top off the defense. Nor are we a super aggressive down field passing team of like 15-20 yards plus. So again, now the safeties don't have to open and
bail which allows them to be factors against the run game.


Earlier in the season the running game was more diverse. not crazy so, but more diverse. And we saw a little of that in the second half. A little QB run game. A toss play. An option play. More bootleg which again forces the safety and leverage defenders to stay wide... beacause 90% of the time, on an inside run play, you don't account for them. You're counting on them to make sure the QB doesn't have the ball or defend the flat etc. Well, if you don't make them defend the flat or the QB run game guess what that DC is going to do?

"Get your ass involved, its not a dang spectator sport" and now you have a free hat teeing off on Sama, Jackson and Hansen And everyone says man, the offensive line sucks.

In reality, its no, the offensive line is not asked to account for that X defender, and that X defender is the one fitting i because he doesn't feel threatened on the perimeter or on the second level.


Is the offensive line playing at peak performance? Nope. Not even a little bit.

However, while its easy to say what the hell is wrong with the offensive line, its really not entirely on the offensive line. Because when we do threaten the flats and widden out the defense, we end up rushing for 143 yards after rushing for12 yards I think in the first half. Sure the fake punt blah blah... that's what a good running game is though. You hit them where they aren't and where they aren't expecting you. Unless you have 5 earth movers and then a prime Gronk as a blocking TE - you ain't running the ball effectively as currently designed. And its not because the OL is trash.


That's why I want Mouse to burn the 1st half tape and watch the second half. Because weto got away from running head first into a brick wall and wouldn't you know, the whole offense worked a lot better.


Because while we are not going to be an elite rush offense, or just maul people all over the field, we are good enough to run effectively. 4, 4.5 yards a carry. Elite? No. But we showed that in the second half, and against other teams.

We just need to keep incorporating the boot, a bubble, a jet / toss / option , QB run to keep those leverage defenders and safeties honest. And that opens everything else up. Look at the Detriot Lions - Gibbs and Montgomery. A modern version of Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside, though they can both run both places but they are used essentially mostly as that. The Ravens with Henry and Jackson, etc... one's the hammer, the other's the rabbit. Triple option teams want to run dive and we want to be physical and run ahead. But option teams run pitch and jet and etc to force defenders to widden and leverage themselves out of being able to stop dive. We are simply not doing that to a good enough degree right now.

Right now, we are trying to be the hammer. We need to find a way to make the defense respect the threat of a rabbit and then we can go back to being the hamer.

 

[kirk89gt]

On the Hansen TD, like 4 Cincinnati defenders were in the backfield immediately. 2-3 OL just completely whiffed and ended up in the end zone not blocking anybody. One of the linebackers had a clean shot at Hansen and he just ran through the tackle. It was a horrendously blocked play and we still score just because Hansen made a great play, and honestly, some of the defenders were in the backfield too quickly and overran the play.

Same situation for the bobbled snap TD play by Rocco. With a super aggressive defense, sometimes a delay/draw is a counter to this - make the defense over run the play and put themselves out of position and open up lanes for our guys.

 

[CycloneVet]

Brahmer being out has hurt us. He wasn’t producing but it opened up Noel and Higgins more.

Burkle stepping up has helped a lot. He looked fairly athletic on that longer pass play.

It would help to have a David or Breece in the backfield.

 

[BigLame]

Same situation for the bobbled snap TD play by Rocco. With a super aggressive defense, sometimes a delay/draw is a counter to this - make the defense over run the play and put themselves out of position and open up lanes for our guys.

Rocco mentioned in the on-field interview just following the game it was an RPO called on the high snap so as he corralled it the RB was gone so he had to adjust on the fly. Think we still want the OL to block on any RPO

 

[stewart092284]

On the Hansen TD, like 4 Cincinnati defenders were in the backfield immediately. 2-3 OL just completely whiffed and ended up in the end zone not blocking anybody. One of the linebackers had a clean shot at Hansen and he just ran through the tackle. It was a horrendously blocked play and we still score just because Hansen made a great play, and honestly, some of the defenders were in the backfield too quickly and overran the play.

Just described at least 50% if not 65% of most short yardage goal line rushing plays unless you are just physically dominate

 

[Letterkenny]

Just described at least 50% if not 65% of most short yardage goal line rushing plays unless you are just physically dominate

I don't think so. More often than not it's a stalemate at the line of scrimmage and the running back simply gets stuffed running into the pile when there is no where to go. On the Hansen TD, the entire left side of the Cincinnati defensive line immediately broke through. I think it was the center, right guard and right tackle. All 3 barely got a piece of any defender and ended up standing on the goal line looking backwards at the defenders that just ran around them.

 

[hoosman]

Opp b12 QB rushing yds -552
ISU b12 QB rushing yds - 192

Huge discrepancy.

Becht is not irreplaceable if he gets hit. Moberly seems faster, stronger, and just as accurate. We are playing with one hand tied behind our back. Opponents are not. We are losing a big chunk of offense to protect a redshirt - F that!

 

[madguy30]

Opp b12 QB rushing yds -552
ISU b12 QB rushing yds - 192

Huge discrepancy.

Becht is not irreplaceable if he gets hit. Moberly seems faster, stronger, and just as accurate. We are playing with one hand tied behind our back. Opponents are not. We are losing a big chunk of offense to protect a redshirt - F that!

There's far more to it than these numbers.

 

[GetAwesome]

Regarding the run game and offensive line.

1) I'd say on average, 70-80% or higher of our running plays occur between the tackles. Well, as a defensive line coach, DC, etc, that takes the guess work out …….

Okay, you have me locked into the utmost state of suspense.

When does “2)” get posted, and (spoiler alert) what's the total word count for "2)"??

 

[kirk89gt]

Rocco mentioned in the on-field interview just following the game it was an RPO called on the high snap so as he corralled it the RB was gone so he had to adjust on the fly. Think we still want the OL to block on any RPO

Understood. With the high snap, the aggressive defense and the iffy blocking, it ended up like a designed delay/qb draw.

Maybe they should put it in the playbook cause it worked…….

 

[flycy]

Oh, I don't doubt that they know it - but I do sometimes wonder if they accept it. Cause we don't do it. Its hard wearing people down when you are averaging less than a yard a carry.

That's my point. Sure, it's great having a plan. But then when the plan isn't working, be willing change said plan. Don't wait till half time all the time to adjust. Cause sometimes, its too late by that point in time

He literally said the plan was to wear them down. You do that by running even when it isn't "working". Maybe there are other ways to do things, but in this case and in many other games it did work. I get frustrated too by the inside run on first, but the throw it every first down guys are worse.

 

[cyclone1209]

First off, great write-up and discussion! Well done!

Second, you are correct about the OL being "average." I can't remember the last game where the OL consistently move the scrimmage line on most plays; hold is about the best we can hope for.

Third, DCs on our two losses (and Cincy, for that matter), have loaded the box and doubled Noel and Higgins. How do you beat that? Well, other receivers have to step up, for one. And more "punishing" plays (like draws) are needed to punish loading the box. Running Rocco will eventually hurt him (and thus, us).

Teams also cannot stack the box when we have a healthy Ben Brahmer running patterns up the middle of the field. Not having him has hurt our offense too some.

I agree though with the original poster, we need more runs to the outside. Keeps a defense guessing and it's honestly what Abu Sama is better at. Carson Hansen can run up the middle with regularity and get 4-5 yards if its blocked ok. Abu Sama has a very difficult time getting the consistent 4 or 5 yard runs, it is a negative gain or a ten yarder+ with him it seems.

I will say this - the fact that Hansen is averaging 5.1 yards a carry, has 500 yards this year, and has 9 TDs is a testament to him, but we have also upgraded the O line over last year. We finally have some decent players there. We need an OT to replace Jalen Travis however.

 

[stewart092284]

Teams also cannot stack the box when we have a healthy Ben Brahmer running patterns up the middle of the field. Not having him has hurt our offense too some.

I agree though with the original poster, we need more runs to the outside. Keeps a defense guessing and it's honestly what Abu Sama is better at. Carson Hansen can run up the middle with regularity and get 4-5 yards if its blocked ok. Abu Sama has a very difficult time getting the consistent 4 or 5 yard runs, it is a negative gain or a ten yarder+ with him it seems.

I will say this - the fact that Hansen is averaging 5.1 yards a carry, has 500 yards this year, and has 9 TDs is a testament to him, but we have also upgraded the O line over last year. We finally have some decent players there. We need an OT to replace Jalen Travis however.

Agreed, although I think Maro (sp) is capable. Is he as good? IDK. But I do think he's a decent looking player whose got a reasonable amount of playing time. I imagine Neal plays tackle, though IDK if I grade him as high as the staff seems to.

What might be interesting to watch is if any of Buhr, Hystart, Black or Barrett switch spots since I think those 4 are four of our better returning OL and while depth is crucial, I also wonder if having a great two deep at guard while replacing the other three starting spots - unless Bonifas has some kind of elgibility remaining? - it might not make sense to maybe move one of them to center or tackle if they are capable

 

[VeloClone]

Opp b12 QB rushing yds -552
ISU b12 QB rushing yds - 192

Huge discrepancy.

Becht is not irreplaceable if he gets hit. Moberly seems faster, stronger, and just as accurate. We are playing with one hand tied behind our back. Opponents are not. We are losing a big chunk of offense to protect a redshirt - F that!

There is more to it than that. Rocco was a better passer than most of the running QBs we have faced, although I think Rocco has been hearing footsteps lately and missing passes he would have hit in the latter half of last year.

Also, the 3-3-5 cloud is designed to keep everything in front of you and prevent the big play so teams have to march down the field and go 9-12 plays without making a mistake. Then it is supposed to lock down in the red zone when the field is compressed hopefully preventing the TD. Our decimated and now green LB core has given up some big plays but that is how it is designed. With that, you are going to give up some yardage in QB runs if that is a big part of the opposing team's rushing attack.

For reference:
Big 12 Rushing:
ISU - 179.0
Opp - 200.4 (+21.4)
Big 12 Passing:
ISU - 269.3
Opp - 170.9 (-98.4)
Big 12 Total Yards:
ISU - 448.3
Opp - 371.3 (-77.0)

 

[tolfbfan]

I played OL in college & when D’s stacked the box, a QB fake hand off dive to the right by the RB and then a quick pass to the TE to the left over the LB’s worked every time. Hanson has had games where he has had success running between the lines and ISU has led the B12 at times this year in offense so the OL is not the problem. Game time play calling decisions is not CMC’s strong suit, he is a defensive minded coach. That’s why after halftime our offensive production usually improves.

I know it was only the MAC, but when he called plays at Toledo the offense was very good. Toledo's defense was their problem. So, not sure I agree with your comment but I respect it!

 

[NY Chicago Fan]

I think it was the TexasTech game, but could have been Kansas too, I was yelling at the TV - Stop running right into 8 guys in the box. When defense is crowding the line with more bodies they need to figure out way to get them to back off before they keep slamming RB into the line

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Believe me I've been complaining about the lack of counters and draws for years but we have so much back side bleed those plays are likely dead before they even start. The line needs to improve period.

 

[NY Chicago Fan]

Opp b12 QB rushing yds -552
ISU b12 QB rushing yds - 192

Huge discrepancy.

Becht is not irreplaceable if he gets hit. Moberly seems faster, stronger, and just as accurate. We are playing with one hand tied behind our back. Opponents are not. We are losing a big chunk of offense to protect a redshirt - F that!

Am I the only one that is confused how Moberly is now seemingly the backup and not JJ. Is it just forgone conclusion that JJ will transfer at end of season? Seems like there is no path for him at ISU now

 

[cyfanbr]

Am I the only one that is confused how Moberly is now seemingly the backup and not JJ. Is it just forgone conclusion that JJ will transfer at end of season? Seems like there is no path for him at ISU now

It has been clear since early in the season when Moberly was getting mop up duty over JJ.