MSU Rushing Attack

[Lord Vigo]

2022:

-Rush Yds/Game: 311
-Rush Yds/Carry: 6.5
-QB Rush %: 47% of yards; 47% of attempts

2023:

-Rush Yds/Game: 292
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.3
-QB Rush %: 41% of yards; 38% of attempts

2024:

-Rush Yds/Game: 332
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.2
-QB Rush %: 20% of yards; 16% of attempts

If you would have told me before the season that QB rushing yards as a percentage of the overall attack would be reduced by more than half and that QB rushing attempts would be 1/3 of what they were in 2022 AND that the rushing game would actually become more prolific in terms of yardage and hold serve in terms of efficiency, I would have had a hard time believing that.

The Cats dramatically decreased usage of their most dangerous rushing weapon and somehow managed to accentuate what was already an elite strength. Credit goes to an offensive line that continues to get better despite attrition as well as the best RB group in the nation. The combination of Humphrey and Jones is better than what anyone else has to offer and they're making the impossible possible. And the guy who was supposed to start is only just now starting to see the field!

There is nothing better in football than a dominant offensive line/rushing attack. Do not fail to appreciate what MSU has going on right now. It's special.

[BelgradeBobcat]

2022:

-Rush Yds/Game: 311
-Rush Yds/Carry: 6.5
-QB Rush %: 47% of yards; 47% of attempts

2023:

-Rush Yds/Game: 292
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.3
-QB Rush %: 41% of yards; 38% of attempts

2024:

-Rush Yds/Game: 332
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.2
-QB Rush %: 20% of yards; 16% of attempts

If you would have told me before the season that QB rushing yards as a percentage of the overall attack would be reduced by more than half and that QB rushing attempts would be 1/3 of what they were in 2022 AND that the rushing game would actually become more prolific in terms of yardage and hold serve in terms of efficiency, I would have had a hard time believing that.

The Cats dramatically decreased usage of their most dangerous rushing weapon and somehow managed to accentuate what was already an elite strength. Credit goes to an offensive line that continues to get better despite attrition as well as the best RB group in the nation. The combination of Humphrey and Jones is better than what anyone else has to offer and they're making the impossible possible. And the guy who was supposed to start is only just now starting to see the field!

There is nothing better in football than a dominant offensive line/rushing attack. Do not fail to appreciate what MSU has going on right now. It's special.

Okay-here's a theory. Being forced to move Marcus Wehr inside to guard has had an incredibly positive impact on the run game. The kid is a road grader...what say you?

[RockyBearCat]

I agree 100% that the line is defining the rushing attack. I remember back in the day, Denver Broncos could sub any good RB and their line made them elite. That seems to be where Cats are now. Dominant/Elite O-Line is making good backs great and great back elite.

[Lord Vigo]

2022:

-Rush Yds/Game: 311
-Rush Yds/Carry: 6.5
-QB Rush %: 47% of yards; 47% of attempts

2023:

-Rush Yds/Game: 292
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.3
-QB Rush %: 41% of yards; 38% of attempts

2024:

-Rush Yds/Game: 332
-Rush Yds/Carry: 7.2
-QB Rush %: 20% of yards; 16% of attempts

If you would have told me before the season that QB rushing yards as a percentage of the overall attack would be reduced by more than half and that QB rushing attempts would be 1/3 of what they were in 2022 AND that the rushing game would actually become more prolific in terms of yardage and hold serve in terms of efficiency, I would have had a hard time believing that.

The Cats dramatically decreased usage of their most dangerous rushing weapon and somehow managed to accentuate what was already an elite strength. Credit goes to an offensive line that continues to get better despite attrition as well as the best RB group in the nation. The combination of Humphrey and Jones is better than what anyone else has to offer and they're making the impossible possible. And the guy who was supposed to start is only just now starting to see the field!

There is nothing better in football than a dominant offensive line/rushing attack. Do not fail to appreciate what MSU has going on right now. It's special.

Okay-here's a theory. Being forced to move Marcus Wehr inside to guard has had an incredibly positive impact on the run game. The kid is a road grader...what say you?

I absolutely think you're right that the interior of the OL is more powerful and better equipped to displace DL vertically. That's true of Mastel when he keeps his feet and Sain at OC in addition to Wehr.

[Lord Vigo]

I agree 100% that the line is defining the rushing attack. I remember back in the day, Denver Broncos could sub any good RB and their line made them elite. That seems to be where Cats are now. Dominant/Elite O-Line is making good backs great and great back elite.

The line is the foundation AND the RB group has gotten better. The line will block them 8-10 and they will rip off 30+ with their speed and explosion.

Tommy is a big driver as well. Second level defenders have to fear crashing into the A/B gaps because if Tommy pulls it, they're cooked.

It's all just an awesome mix.

[Marana CAT]

Agree with all of that. A person also needs to look at how the game is being called by the OC as well. He has done a tremendous job keeping to a game plan, not being too cute/creative and spreading the touches around to TE, WR and a stable of RB’s.

[Helcat72]

We will definitely see if your numbers hold when we start playing the more elite defenses. I think that we haven't declined, but the fact that we haven't played an elite defense, except maybe Idaho, explains why we continue to excel. The "Tommy" factor however may be what keeps our production up in the coming weeks. I don't think he will be able to keep the train moving at the present rate against UCD, UM, SDSU, and NDSU by handing off and watching 7+ yards per carry. I think he will need to pull the ball a lot more to move the sticks against these more elite defenses. I think Tommy can be more effective running for the tough first downs rather than passing.

The running game makes his passing effective. I think Walker doesn't have the illusion that Tommy is an elite passer and call pass plays with a lot of "over the middle" routes as his first read. He'll keep Tommy's throws to the sidelines and use his running ability for the tough yards.

Tommy can still preserve his health by not taking on linebackers... he will still have to run out of bounds or slide in all cases where he can. I hope this will keep us proceeding toward Frisco and at the same time keep him healthy.

[Lord Vigo]

We will definitely see if your numbers hold when we start playing the more elite defenses. I think that we haven't declined, but the fact that we haven't played an elite defense, except maybe Idaho, explains why we continue to excel. The "Tommy" factor however may be what keeps our production up in the coming weeks. I don't think he will be able to keep the train moving at the present rate against UCD, UM, SDSU, and NDSU by handing off and watching 7+ yards per carry. I think he will need to pull the ball a lot more to move the sticks against these more elite defenses. I think Tommy can be more effective running for the tough first downs rather than passing.

The running game makes his passing effective. I think Walker doesn't have the illusion that Tommy is an elite passer and call pass plays with a lot of "over the middle" routes as his first read. He'll keep Tommy's throws to the sidelines and use his running ability for the tough yards.

Tommy can still preserve his health by not taking on linebackers... he will still have to run out of bounds or slide in all cases where he can. I hope this will keep us proceeding toward Frisco and at the same time keep him healthy.

I think there’s a big difference between SDSU/NDSU and everyone else.

It’s no foregone conclusion that they would run all over the Jacks or the Bison. But they can and will against Davis and the Griz.

[94VegasCat]

I’ll take 4-5 yds per play all day long agsinst the DSUs.

I said all last season that if Mellott handed off more often, the running numbers would explode.

[grizzh8r]

I’ll take 4-5 yds per play all day long agsinst the DSUs.

I said all last season that if Mellott handed off more often, the running numbers would explode.

The thing about it is, the more Tommy hands off, the more effective he is when he pulls it and runs. There have been so many times this season where it's so apparent that if he'd kept the ball, he'd be off to the races. However, he and the staff are taking a very measured, disciplined approach to how many times he carries the ball, as we all want to see him healthy for the entire season. That approach is working very well. Would be interesting for someone to compare his YPC this season against his YPC in previous seasons. I would be shocked if it's not substantially higher this season than the past 3...

[MSU01]

I’ll take 4-5 yds per play all day long agsinst the DSUs.

I said all last season that if Mellott handed off more often, the running numbers would explode.

The thing about it is, the more Tommy hands off, the more effective he is when he pulls it and runs. There have been so many times this season where it's so apparent that if he'd kept the ball, he'd be off to the races. However, he and the staff are taking a very measured, disciplined approach to how many times he carries the ball, as we all want to see him healthy for the entire season. That approach is working very well. Would be interesting for someone to compare his YPC this season against his YPC in previous seasons. I would be shocked if it's not substantially higher this season than the past 3...

You would be correct.

2021: 6.3 YPC
2022: 6.4
2023: 8.1
2024: 10.0

[grizzh8r]

I’ll take 4-5 yds per play all day long agsinst the DSUs.

I said all last season that if Mellott handed off more often, the running numbers would explode.

The thing about it is, the more Tommy hands off, the more effective he is when he pulls it and runs. There have been so many times this season where it's so apparent that if he'd kept the ball, he'd be off to the races. However, he and the staff are taking a very measured, disciplined approach to how many times he carries the ball, as we all want to see him healthy for the entire season. That approach is working very well. Would be interesting for someone to compare his YPC this season against his YPC in previous seasons. I would be shocked if it's not substantially higher this season than the past 3...

You would be correct.

2021: 6.3 YPC
2022: 6.4
2023: 8.1
2024: 10.0

Well done, and thanks for doing that! Figured this had to be the case. Very cool. That said, as the season wears on and the competition gets tougher, I'd imagine that 10 yard average drops a bit. Hopefully not by much, though!

[GoCats18]

You people are hilarious. UM is running back U and has the best running back in the land. These stats are nonsense

[seataccat]

Tommy is a big driver as well. Second level defenders have to fear crashing into the A/B gaps because if Tommy pulls it, they're cooked.

It's all just an awesome mix.

This is such a good point. When the coaches talk about the plus one run game, it seems it's plus one with Tommy's exceptional ability even if he doesn't pull the ball because the LB has to account for that.

[TomCat88]

Is the passing game helping the run game more this year or is it mostly successful because of the running game?

[Lord Vigo]

Is the passing game helping the run game more this year or is it mostly successful because of the running game?

I think the relationship is always reciprocal to some degree, but my opinion is that it’s more the latter.

[Lord Vigo]

You people are hilarious. UM is running back U and has the best running back in the land. These stats are nonsense

1) Lol. Well done.

2) Gilman might be the single best back in the state in my opinion. But as a group MSU is still better at the position. One has to wonder if he’s eying the portal give their dysfunction on offense of late.

[TomCat88]

You people are hilarious. UM is running back U and has the best running back in the land. These stats are nonsense

1) Lol. Well done.

2) Gilman might be the single best back in the state in my opinion. But as a group MSU is still better at the position. One has to wonder if he’s eying the portal give their dysfunction on offense of late.

What’s going on with Gilman lately? He has 31 carries for 77 yards in his last three games. Just going up against good defenses? Or is something else at work here?

[TomCat88]

Is the passing game helping the run game more this year or is it mostly successful because of the running game?

I think the relationship is always reciprocal to some degree, but my opinion is that it’s more the latter.

What is your estimated degree? If, say, MSU’s pass efficiency was 140s instead of 180s what effect would that have on the run game?

[Lord Vigo]

You people are hilarious. UM is running back U and has the best running back in the land. These stats are nonsense

1) Lol. Well done.

2) Gilman might be the single best back in the state in my opinion. But as a group MSU is still better at the position. One has to wonder if he’s eying the portal give their dysfunction on offense of late.

What’s going on with Gilman lately? He has 31 carries for 77 yards in his last three games. Just going up against good defenses? Or is something else at work here?

The interior of the Grizz offensive line is getting wrecked.