Is 16 carries a game for CJ Donaldson a winning offensive strategy?
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- Thread starter jlaudiomaster
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It really depends on the game and the situation. Wvu had success running the football against Texas Tech in the 1st quarter but midway through the 2nd quarter the Tech defense started to figure out our running game. When we came out after half time they pretty much loaded the box and dared us to beat them in the air. Wvu had 157 total rush yards against Tech, Oregon only gained 113 on the ground against the Tech defense. Texas Tech has proven they can stop the running game. Maybe we should have run Donaldson more in the second half but I doubt it was going to work. Wvu needs to find more yards through the air to prevent teams from loading the box to stop the run.
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Texas Tech figured out WVU had no vertical game whatsoever. So they played the run constantly and Neal coaches not to lose played right into their hands.
TCU (16) is better run defender than Texas Tech (87). WVU is (38)
TCU (121) against the pass. Damn shame we can't throw the ball as WVU is (118) in passing offense.
When teams play it's less about stats and more about match ups.
When it came down to needing a scoring drive to get the game back to a 2 score lead, Brown himself told Nicco that it was time to open up the offense. Nicco responded by going 3-3 and guiding the offense to a touchdown winning drive vs Texas Tech.
Brown needs to “Trust his own CLIMB”. He recruited Nicco, let him play and show us all what he can do.
Stomp on the gas and let’s go!
Brown needs to “Trust his own CLIMB”. He recruited Nicco, let him play and show us all what he can do.
Stomp on the gas and let’s go!
What happens when he throws a pick or the receivers can't get open?
While I agree we have no vertical passing game, i'm not sure your first bullet holds water. TCU's rush defense may very well be legit, but look at how they got there. Colorado is dead last at rushing the football, period. Nicholls?? Come on....and Houston is the only team with a rushing game pulse, albeit faint. We could very well run into a defensive juggernaut tomorrow night but i think that 16th ranking can be thrown out
Then he will need to toss it away, or tuck and run. In addition, bench the wide outs that are not putting out the effort to get open or sell out their body to catch the ball.
Excellent point. Most armchair coaches and know it alls on this board do not understand this fact and concept of being a RB. It is brutal. I'm fine with keeping his carries below 20. We need 3 RB options for each game.
Yo can say this about every team in football. Stats are meaningless as it all comes down to match ups. Can WVU keep the ball? Can TCU play fast Tempo when they are in.
Donaldson is 6-2, 235-pound. He is not just a RB he is an athlete. He did play TE before. Can also still catch the ball. I would say all his touches don't necessarily have to be from RB position.
Last year vs TCU Donaldson had 19 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns before he broke his ankle and lost the second half of his freshman year. That was his first start of the season. If Donaldson gets his shoulders square he's a hard tackle.
I think he needs no less than 20 touches and he can handle it.
Last year vs TCU Donaldson had 19 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns before he broke his ankle and lost the second half of his freshman year. That was his first start of the season. If Donaldson gets his shoulders square he's a hard tackle.
I think he needs no less than 20 touches and he can handle it.
If the guy only has 48 yards on 15 carries what makes you think that continuing to give him the ball is going to result in a winning strategy?
Who do you put in when none of the receivers are talented enough to get open?
That 48 yards on 15 carries came without busting any big plays. He at least gets us into consistent third and manageable situations with that average. Sure beats 8 for 18. I just feel like during the flow of the game the offense really gets stagnant particularly when Donaldson disappears for several series on the bench.
I agree with WVUAllen, get him out in space some for some one on one matchups. He doesn’t need to contribute 100% running the ball.
Can Gallegher run routes or is he just a jet sweep guy? We need some of the young guys to step up at this point
I’m not sure anyone is assuming he will stay healthy, but he sure is making a lot of NIL money spending a lot of time on the sidelines.
Tech was slowing down the running game in the 2nd quarter the guy was only getting 1-2 yards on his last couple of carries.
Fair point. Well, Browns calling card is offense and frankly the receivers haven’t been getting it done at all so we need to figure out how to get the ball in our best playmakers hands.
When Donaldson is in the game, teams are going to key on him more. This is true especially when there is no downfield passing game to speak of. His yardage is going to be some tough sledding unless something happens to open up some running lanes.
Credit has to be given to the offensive line. They've done an admirable job considering how one dimensional we've been to this point. 48 yards on 15 carries doesn't sound great but when 11 guys know you're going to tote the rock and are keying on you, that's pretty darn good.
Would like to see him on some wheel routes to see if he can beat a backer in one-on-one coverage but that's only going to happen if the passing game outside the hashes is decent.
It's understandable keeping the chains on the backup QB - making him more of a game manager - up to this point. But, at some point, you've got to take the reins off and let him attempt to make plays for you and stretch the defense. Of course, that's assuming the receivers can get a little separation. Haven't seen a great deal of it to this point. Maybe its this week?
Credit has to be given to the offensive line. They've done an admirable job considering how one dimensional we've been to this point. 48 yards on 15 carries doesn't sound great but when 11 guys know you're going to tote the rock and are keying on you, that's pretty darn good.
Would like to see him on some wheel routes to see if he can beat a backer in one-on-one coverage but that's only going to happen if the passing game outside the hashes is decent.
It's understandable keeping the chains on the backup QB - making him more of a game manager - up to this point. But, at some point, you've got to take the reins off and let him attempt to make plays for you and stretch the defense. Of course, that's assuming the receivers can get a little separation. Haven't seen a great deal of it to this point. Maybe its this week?
