MSU Rushing Attack

[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?

The interior of the Grizz offensive line is getting wrecked.

Has the UM OL had injuries or have teams just figured them out? Two of the three games are Poly and UNC.

[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.

Has the UM OL had injuries or have teams just figured them out? Two of the three games are Poly and UNC.

In regards to injuries, I couldn't say. I haven't heard of any.

I'm not sure what exactly changed. But when I've seen them lately, the backs are having to move laterally or even backwards because of defensive linemen re-setting the line of scrimmage.

One theory is that as the Griz pass game has been found out and the QB play has deteriorated, opposing defenses are just selling out. But the root problem is that UM's offensive line just isn't very good.

[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.

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?

I don't know how to quantify something like that, even for an estimate. I would just say that if there wasn't a credible threat of a passing attack, 2nd/3rd level defenders would be freer to crowd the LOS and/or trigger to fill the alleys. The run game would still be productive, but I don't think we would see as many explosives.

[The MICKSTER]

Lord Vigo thanks for posting......here is some more stats beyond rushing.

2024
Rushing……………Passing
3330 yds……………….1871 yds
463 attempts…………207 attempts
7.2 yds/att……………9.0 yds/att
333 yds/game………187 yds/game
MSU 42.4 pts/gm………opponents 16.5 pts/gm

2023
Rushing……………Passing
3509 yds…………………2172 yds
480 attempts…………239 attempts
7.3 yds/att……………9.1 yds/att
292 yds/game………181 yds/game
MSU 39.9 pts/gm………opponents 21.8 pts/gm

2022
Rushing………………Passing
4351 yds…………………2576 yds
673 attempts…………308 attempts
6.5 yds/att……………8.4 yds/att
311 yds/game………184 yds/game
MSU 43 pts/gm………opponents 26.6 pts/gm

These stats are worth taking a look at......but......there have been so many games where we 'called off the dogs' in the 2nd half along with our less than average SOS up until now, that it certainly isn't apples to apples. These last two games will be exciting. GO CATS!!!

[Lord Vigo]

Lord Vigo thanks for posting......here is some more stats beyond rushing.

2024
Rushing……………Passing
3330 yds……………….1871 yds
463 attempts…………207 attempts
7.2 yds/att……………9.0 yds/att
333 yds/game………187 yds/game
MSU 42.4 pts/gm………opponents 16.5 pts/gm

2023
Rushing……………Passing
3509 yds…………………2172 yds
480 attempts…………239 attempts
7.3 yds/att……………9.1 yds/att
292 yds/game………181 yds/game
MSU 39.9 pts/gm………opponents 21.8 pts/gm

2022
Rushing………………Passing
4351 yds…………………2576 yds
673 attempts…………308 attempts
6.5 yds/att……………8.4 yds/att
311 yds/game………184 yds/game
MSU 43 pts/gm………opponents 26.6 pts/gm

These stats are worth taking a look at......but......there have been so many games where we 'called off the dogs' in the 2nd half along with our less than average SOS up until now, that it certainly isn't apples to apples. These last two games will be exciting. GO CATS!!!

I think what these stats illustrate most clearly is that the biggest contributor to the Cats' improvement has been the defense.

[Norsky19]

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

Not to mention that he's sliding or running out of bounds instead of grinding 3 or 4 more yards getting tackled. He potentially could have more. I'm very glad he isn't however....

[GoCats18]

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.

I do agree with you. I think Gilman is a great running back. I also think the UC Davis running back is legit. We will definitely have to keep them both to under 100 yards if we want to win both these last two games. I just laugh how their fans always say they are linebacker U, o-lineman U, QB U, and now it’s running back U. Just cracks me up.

[94VegasCat]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

[WYCAT]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

Couldn't agree more. It's nothing against Perkins but that group has been phenomenal and the risk of messing that up now is too high. I say roll on and don't change a thing.

[coloradocat]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

Couldn't agree more. It's nothing against Perkins but that group has been phenomenal and the risk of messing that up now is too high. I say roll on and don't change a thing.

If he definitely can't come back next year then maybe we just slot him into backup center from here on out. It might slow down the development of Nyland a little but it's the only way to get an elite backup into the flow without disrupting what's working.

[Lord Vigo]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree with you and I don’t think they will supplant Sain or move him.

Vigen’s comment this week is that Perkins is getting close to playing but not starting. Reading between the lines, I think they treat it like they did with Davis. He plays but Humphrey and Jones still play ahead of him.

[The Butcher]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree with you and I don’t think they will supplant Sain or move him.

Vigen’s comment this week is that Perkins is getting close to playing but not starting. Reading between the lines, I think they treat it like they did with Davis. He plays but Humphrey and Jones still play ahead of him.

If a guard is unavailable, they could move Sain and bring in Perkins, effectively providing solid backup coverage across three offensive line positions.

[grizzh8r]

Tying a few topics into this one. Our 1st team OL has been destroying opposing defenses. They’ve been dominating road graders. That being said, why would we dream of disturbing that rhythm by putting Perkins back at Center? I think that Cole Sain has done a better than expected job this year. I understand that Perkins is a 3yr starter and starters ‘should’ get their spot back upon being fully healthy. I know I’m probably in the minority on this topic but Sain has done nothing to lose his job. In my mind for Perkins to get his starting spot back, he’d need to be a HUGE HUGE HUGE upgrade from Sain and I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree with you and I don’t think they will supplant Sain or move him.

Vigen’s comment this week is that Perkins is getting close to playing but not starting. Reading between the lines, I think they treat it like they did with Davis. He plays but Humphrey and Jones still play ahead of him.

If a guard is unavailable, they could move Sain and bring in Perkins, effectively providing solid backup coverage across three offensive line positions.

Man, talk about an embarrassment of riches... Remember when Kramer was playing converted TE's in the mid 2000's? Incredible how far this program has come in 20 years...

[GoCats18]

Watched the Idaho vs Davis games highlights. I feel like we should be able to run the ball effectively Saturday. If we get 300+ rushing yards, that would be amazing and I don’t think Davis can hang with us score wise if that happens.

[Monymony]

Watched the Idaho vs Davis games highlights. I feel like we should be able to run the ball effectively Saturday. If we get 300+ rushing yards, that would be amazing and I don’t think Davis can hang with us score wise if that happens.

Along those lines, if we run it easily we will go very slow and milk the crap out of the clock. Then it will come to down to scoring touchdowns when you have the ball which could significantly hurt them as they have had red zone struggles. But if we cant run at free will this game will be much closer.

[catatac]

Watched the Idaho vs Davis games highlights. I feel like we should be able to run the ball effectively Saturday. If we get 300+ rushing yards, that would be amazing and I don’t think Davis can hang with us score wise if that happens.

Along those lines, if we run it easily we will go very slow and milk the crap out of the clock. Then it will come to down to scoring touchdowns when you have the ball which could significantly hurt them as they have had red zone struggles. But if we cant run at free will this game will be much closer.

Maybe, but when you get Scottre, Adam, and Julius breaking into the open..... of course they're running until they hit the end zone when that opportunity is there.

[The Butcher]

Watched the Idaho vs Davis games highlights. I feel like we should be able to run the ball effectively Saturday. If we get 300+ rushing yards, that would be amazing and I don’t think Davis can hang with us score wise if that happens.

Along those lines, if we run it easily we will go very slow and milk the crap out of the clock. Then it will come to down to scoring touchdowns when you have the ball which could significantly hurt them as they have had red zone struggles. But if we cant run at free will this game will be much closer.

Maybe, but when you get Scottre, Adam, and Julius breaking into the open..... of course they're running until they hit the end zone when that opportunity is there.

Yeah, the Cats' rushing attack isn’t exactly built for grinding down the clock. When you're averaging well over 300 yards per game, those big plays rack up yards quickly but don’t use up much time.

[TomCat88]

UC Davis is more susceptible to the pass than it is to the run. I'm not a real big fan of season stats, primarily because teams can pad them by doing really well against really poor opponents.

The Aggies have played four good QBs this year and weren't sharp vs three of them. The only game that they did well was against Cal in the first game. The other three games that had solid QBs were East Texas A&M, PSU and EWU. In those games they gave up 1,035 yards on 76 of 121 passing allowing 8 TDs and getting 2 INTs. That's a pass efficiency of 153.2. PSU's Dante Chachere, who isn't especially accurate, connected on 17 of 23 passes for 259 yards and 3 TDs with no INTs. That was his best passing game of the season. Visperas was 30-42-0, 319, 2 TDs. Rating - 150.9, which is right around his average on the year. Their season pass efficiency defense rating is 115.4, which is very good and their rating against their other 7 opponents is an outstanding 95.4.

I don't know that they've played a good running team this year. I would think Cal would be the best and the Aggies held them to 3.3, but Cal is only averaging 3.4 on the year. They did a good job on Chachere. They did a good job against UM, but the Grizzlies have really dropped as the season progressed and the especially the last two games in terms of running.

[Helcat72]

The gris have huge offensive linemen but they don't have great feet. They are huge lumbering "elephants" imo. Ours are more athletic and quicker and can get to the second level faster. That's why our backs can break out into the clear more, especially up the middle.
We have cultivated that type of OL since Choate. Vigen knows what proliferates a dominant offensive line and it's not just size.

[cats2506]

The gris have huge offensive linemen but they don't have great feet. They are huge lumbering "elephants" imo. Ours are more athletic and quicker and can get to the second level faster. That's why our backs can break out into the clear more, especially up the middle.
We have cultivated that type of OL since Choate. Vigen knows what proliferates a dominant offensive line and it's not just size.

We also use our TE's much more than any other BSC team.