Runner Rating: 2011 (Week 2)

by Gookin on Sep 11, 2011 7:23 PM CDT

Interesting week. Incredible game, even though it left me weeping. I have yet to see a Kirk Ferentz-coached game where Iowa takes a shot at winning when they get the ball back with about a minute back (i.e. Ohio State 2009, Iowa State 2011). And I have yet to see his conservative "take it into overtime" tactic work successfully. It's a pet peeve of mine, and I'm hoping he changes his ways. Anywhooo...

Previous posts: Week 1

This week after the jump....

Week 2:

Marcus Coker: 131.00; 140 yards, 2 TD, 1 FUM, 23/35 (rushes of 3 or more yards / total rushes)

Season: 122.45; 181 yards, 2 TD, 2.5 FUM, 31/44

Equivalent Efficient Passer (through week 2): Sean Mannion, Oregon State: 131.00; 387 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 33/50

I personally think this number looks too good to be true. Watching the game, Coker looked like he did nothing. He was lucky to get more than 3 yards on any particular play and the fumble at the beginning of the game made my stomach flip. The more I have seen from Coker, the more worried I get. He just isn't clicking. On the other hand, he ran for ONE HUNDRED FORTY YARDS and TWO TOUCHDOWNS. Most running backs would take those statistics immediately. I may just be critical, but Coker is going to have to step it up for the Hawks to start winning some ball games.

But this stat kinda freaked me out.....

Opposing Rusher: Shontrelle Johnson; 130.50; 108 yards, 0 TD, 1 FUM, 15/18

Basically the same efficiency as Coker. Only difference? Johnson looked good. The only thing that hurt him was the lack of TD's, mainly because Steele Jantz decided he would go into Batshit Insanity mode and run/score whenever the fuck he wanted to. Scary stuff.

National top rusher: Robert Turbin: 260.56; 180 yards, 2 TD, 0 FUM, 17/18

Equivalent Passer: Robert Griffin III, Baylor: 250.6; 359 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT, 21/27

B1G top rusher: Taylor Martinez: 217.20; 166 yards, 2 TD, 1 FUM, 7/15

Equivalent Passer: Marshall Lobbestael, Washington State: 217.10; 591 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT, 38/51

Poll

What worries you most about Iowa's running situation?

Lack of depth

34 votes

Coker's fumbles

15 votes

Vandenberg's limited mobility

2 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.

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Comments

Clearly it's depth...

35 carries is a problem if he’s not consistently busting out plays for 10+ yards. I feel like he should top out closer to 25. I’m not sure if you’ve kept track of runs over 10, but I feel like Coker only had 3 or 4 yesterday.

"...take it to Hamsterdam."

by BoilerHawk on Sep 11, 2011 7:31 PM CDT reply actions

He only had 2.

One 18 yarder and one 17 yarder. He couldn’t get anything going.

Betcha can't handle this 4-3 cover 2, mofos!

by Gookin on Sep 11, 2011 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

When fumbles are potentially an issue, and your RB appears to be tired in the first half of a game due to use, yet there is no one else to sub in, depth is a problem.

"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." - Lewis Caroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass

by chitownhawkeye on Sep 11, 2011 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, they do have other players.

They’re not as good, obviously. But when we’re talking about a young man’s health (and of course his effectiveness for the team), it really shouldn’t matter. Coker can’t run it 30+ times again anytime soon. Ferentz’s stubbornness in this area shows either a) a complete ignorance of the effect of fatigue on injuries and repeated blows to the head or b) a complete lack of compassion for a young man’s short-term physical health and his long-term mental health. I would be ridiculously pissed off if Ferentz’s incredible stubbornness led to back-to-back multiple concussions for 20/21-year old men. I don’t care how good or bad they are (and there’s no exact number that’s “safe”), he must get other running backs involved.

Otherwise, all my consternation about strategy will turn into real ire about disregarding his player’s health.

meh

by tyger1147 on Sep 16, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

No. 4: Getting the line and RBs to work in sync

I wonder if that’s not part of the problem. There’s a bit of ballet that goes on in the run game. To work, line and RBs have to work together. I am confident they will, but they’re not there yet.

Excuse me for my bellicosity. And spelling. Bellicosity and spelling.

"George Teague doesn't give a shit what down it is. He gets the ball, or he dies." ~ Spencer Hall

by Blackheartnopants on Sep 11, 2011 10:13 PM CDT reply actions

I think he just couldn't see the running lane

either that or he was afraid to cut, but almost every play he looked like he ran right into the back of the gaurd or tackle and tried to push them forward instead of finding the hole.

by hawkeye0485 on Sep 12, 2011 2:02 PM CDT reply actions