10.28
In light of our current QB situation (we’ll likely be starting our third string QB this weekend) many have called for the resurgence of our running game. Through eight weeks of the season, here’s where the Rockets stand:
| NAME | CAR | YDS | YPC | LONG | TD |
| DaJuane Collins | 107 | 651 | 6.1 | 72 (TD) | 7 |
| Morgan Williams | 44 | 214 | 4.9 | 23 | 0 |
| Aaron Opelt | 26 | 141 | 5.4 | 61 (TD) | 3 |
| Austin Dantin | 23 | 50 | 2.2 | 12 | 0 |
| David Pasquale | 9 | 23 | 2.6 | 8 | 0 |
| Adonis Thomas | 7 | 22 | 3.1 | 5 | 0 |
| Jake Walker | 7 | 18 | 2.6 | 5 | 0 |
| Eric Page | 4 | 6 | 1.5 | 7 | 0 |
| Alex Pettee | 4 | -14 | -3.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Totals | 238 | 1082 | 4.5 | 72 | 10 |
What bugs me about these stats is that it’s obvious that outside of DaJuane Collins, who averages just 81 yds/gm, no one else has been utilized to establish the running game and make it a legitimate threat. If we had won 7 or 8 of the game this season, I’d say, so what ? It’s working – leave it alone. But, we’ve won 4 games and most people would agree, the games we have won were won through the air, not on the ground. That being said, we have a stable of talented and capable backs who are itching for the chance to get the carries needed to pull the defenses up and make way for the passing game. So, seems to me the million dollar question is: why aren’t they getting the ball more ? If the passing game alone isn’t working (and it’s not since we’ve dropped four; two of which we had no business losing) it’s time to try something else.
Will we see the running game play more of a factor in Oxford this weekend ? We hope so, but it’s in Beckman’s hands now. Miami is a great opponent to test some things out against, so why not let the backs carry the day and get some yardage, and some confidence and take a little pressure off the QB to make big throws ? That’ll pave the way for a more balanced attack as our QBs return and make us more dangerous as we finish up our MAC schedule.
from flickr
I have a hard posting to the NCAABBS board and I don’t know if anyone has noticed but up until last week DJ Lenahan was having an outstanding year at Seton Hill University outside of Pittsburgh. In one game he completed 44 of 66 passes. Unfortunately his NEW team is 1 -7 and he suffered a season ending knee injury last Saturday. Maybe as Lenahan might have felt before transferring….Beckman seems to have little faith in Amstutz’s recruits. Before the season he was raving about Walker. What happened? Adonis Thomas was originally going to Kansas State before a coaching change. He must have some ability?
Thanks for the info on Lenehan, Steve. I think you’re right – it’s possible that several of the guys thought that Beckman would be a change for the worse and really come down on the Amstutz recruited guys. I’m sure some of the players felt like they may not fit in the new system. That’s unfortunate because, as we know now, Lenehan would have been an asset at QB now that we’ve come on hard times at that position. Would he supplant Opelt ? Probably not, but would he have been a contributor ? I think so.
I would def. like to see more out of A. Thomas – I think he’s under-rated and under-utilized and some good runs would give him the confidence he needs to step up. I’d like to see him returning some kicks and getting his feet wet a bit, so he can step in line behind Collins and M. Williams. Walker is another runner who will get his shot in time.