Gary Pinkel: MU has to run the ball better
The Tigers are averaging 143 yards per game on the ground but coach Gary Pinkel said today that the team needs to get more from its ground game.
“It is a bit of a concern,” Pinkel said. “In this offense, there are lot of ways to look at it When we had Chase Daniel, if teams overloaded on run (defense), we just wouldn’t run it. We’d just throw 15 times in a row until they loosened up. The spread offense is designed to open up the running lanes, but how much do you want to throw it with a young QB? We are going to work to make it better. I agree that we’re not running as much as I would have liked … We have to run the ball better, period.”
Other topics Pinkel addressed in his weekly conference call:
On sophomore Blaine Gabbert’s progress at QB: “He’s done a good job, there really wasn’t a schedule (for his progress). We’re very pleased with his poise and his competitiveness and how he handles adverstiy as he grows and matures.”
On Nebraska, the Tigers opponent on Thursday, Oct. 8: “They are a really good football team. Look how they finished a year ago. They have re-established the great tradition they have had over many, many years. They are very disciplined. The Virginia Tech game (Nebraska’s only loss) came down to one fluke play … they should have won that.”
On the bye week: “We’ll have a couple of conditioning sessesions and meetings. Rest is very important for our players. This coming Friday will be like a Sunday workout for us and get our guys on a schedule that fits our normal preparation.”
Then stop using the spread!
Yeah, stop using the spread! It’s only led MU to as many victories as any other team in the country over the last 2+ years…
The running plays were taking about 2.5 to 4.0 secs to get the runner the ball from the snap.
Nevada was getting the ball in the runners hands in 2.0 to 2.5 seconds. Let’s steal some of that pistel offense run set-up and use it with our great backs.
Insert Monday Morning QB comment here.
Really people, MU is having a fine year considering we should be “down.”
The problem with the running game is that the plays take too long to develop. The plays look like draw plays all the time. Whatever happened to the quick hitter, the straight dive? Washington is more of a power back and would be better moving forward when he is handed the ball. Most of the time he is standing still when he gets it. You have to give him a lot of credit for what he gets so far. I like the spread but the running plays frustrate me. They are just too slow. How about mixing up some snaps under center. Let’s surprise the defense!
I agree that the running plays seem to be a bit slow to develop. Maybe the quick shovel pass from shotgun formation would be a nice alternative to moving under center. If we just move under center every time we run the ball it will be pretty easy to figure out.
Also, I knew Blaine had a strong arm, but those bullets he threw on the run outside the pocket were unbelievable! And even more importantly, they were right on the money. Kid’s got talent.
They need to speed it up!!
Problem is two fold, Washington does not get a quick burst after the handoff but biggest issue is OL. The tackles are in pass blockinig stance and don’t drive forward after the snap. Hoch is very slow and needs to step it up. See him pulling to block he is late to initiate contact.
Avoid sessesions at all cost.
Hope to see some adjustments now that coach agrees something needs to change but for whatever reason he has refused to go under center. Third and one….second and three……you wanna pass pass but at least show it!
How about Moore or Lawrence sharing some time with Washington…they have more speed to get to the hole or change the direction.