Comments on: Kelly, Big-chunk Runs and The Marshall Plan

By: The Piper

The Piper — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:31:51 +0000

Fair point. Point taken. I still prefer the team that runs for 250yds/game and eats up the clock while doing it.

By: McSweeney

McSweeney — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:51:23 +0000

“I’m in the camp that there is a far more direct relationship for winning football games btwn ToP than anything else (Oregon and Kelly led Cincinnati teams were the only ones that defied that statistic).”

Auburn finished its 2010 national championship season ranked 73rd in time of possession.

Florida finished its 2008 national championship season ranked 63rd in time of possession.

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:35:19 +0000

Totally pumped for this season. It’s shock and awe time for ND opponents. I live and work deep in Penn State, Pitt country. bring on the Blue and Gold! Go Irish!

By: borromini

borromini — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:24:04 +0000

I believe comparison with Rocket Ismail would have already happened. I’ll take comparisons to Golden at this point.

By: irishfan2791

irishfan2791 — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:00:12 +0000

I am so excited for this season, its rediculous. Watching Cierre make some pretty nice plays here and there throughout the year leads me to believe that the tools are there! He has the speed, agility, and the vision to be a really, really dangerous back. Both Cierre and Theo have big play, Rocketesque, potential just get them the ball in space, and I think good things will happen, plus add in the deep threat of Floyd and Eifert, and hopfully a tough running Jonas Gray!!!!!! Unstoppable, simply Unstoppable. KIETH MARSHALL TO NOTRE DAME NEEDS TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!! i wouldn’t mind that Dorial Green-Beckham either but i wont get greedy……yet

By: terry

terry — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:59:52 +0000

I cannot remember EVER being this pumped for the season to start!!

Anyone out there feel the same?

By: J C

J C — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:02:31 +0000

I believe Lee Becton went for 7+ after Reggie Brooks.

By: The Piper

The Piper — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:50:18 +0000

In support of your analysis, we actually saw a few guys who averaged >7yds/carry during the past few seasons…and they ALL played in a SPREAD TYPE OFFENSES.

– At Nevada (who runs the pistol), Vai Taua, Colin Kapernick and Luke Lippincott all averaged over 7.3yds/game…and they averaged 345yds/game as a team.

– At Oregon, LaMichael James averaged almost 7yds/carry running from the spread. In ’08, Jerimiah Johnson ran for 7+yds/carry out of the spread.

– At WestVa in ’06, both Steve Slaton and Pat White avg’d 7+yds/carry running from the spread option.

Granted these offenses are very different from what appears to be our pass first offense. But they were the nation’s leading rushers.

On a sidenote that we’ve discussed ad nauseum, I’m in the camp that there is a far more direct relationship for winning football games btwn ToP than anything else (Oregon and Kelly led Cincinnati teams were the only ones that defied that statistic). So I’m in the camp with Trevor Robinson. Teach the OL toughness and roll downhill.

By: a68domer

a68domer — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:32:40 +0000

Opens up Theo for some “Big Chunk” plays, too. And might just lead to Riddick comparisons with Golden Tate or even (dare I say it) The Rocket!

By: Famous Seamus

Famous Seamus — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:19:39 +0000

Nice article. I have always thought that, in the college game, spreading the field (and especially the between the hash marks) was key to having RB’s that break off runs of 10 to 20 yards. Some of the first evidence of this philosophy working for Kelly was the USC game, and thereafter, the Miami game.
Eyeball: Randy Kinder……….Really? OK, maybe he did but come on man…!