Running Game

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Jul 14 09:53:20 GMT-04:00 2014

Running Game

Recently I wrote a blog about the personnel at running back and who may have the best chance to fill the void left by Roderick McDowellRoderick McDowell
Running Back (2009 - 2013)
#25 5-9, 195
Sumter, SC
View Full Profile from last season. Today I wanted to touch on the importance of committing to the run.

The season before Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile arrived at Clemson the Tigers averaged 139 yards per game on the ground and went 6-7. Since Morris arrived Clemson improved to 159 yards per game on the ground in 2012 and went 10-4. In 2013 they averaged 191 yards on the ground and went 11-2 and last season they gained 175 per game rushing and went 11-2.

Florida State was 9-4 in year two under Jimbo Fisher when they averaged just 112 yards per game on the ground. The last two years the Seminoles have rushed for 206 and 203 yards per game and have gone 26-2 and have two ACC titles and a national championship.

Alabama has averaged over 200 yards per game on the ground in four of their last five seasons. In the four years they averaged over 200 yards per game they went to a BCS bowl or the national title game. In the one year where they averaged 183 yards rushing they went 10-3 and played in the Capital One Bowl.

In 2010 Auburn rushed for 285 yards per game and won the national title. Two years later the Tigers averaged 148 yards per game and went 3-9. Last season they ran for 328 yards per game and went 12-2 and played for the national title.

You can pick out almost any team in the country and find that the running game is a key. Even in the pass happy teams in a pass happy era this is still the case.

For Clemson the 200 yard per game mark has not been ultra-important because the offense has been built around a record setting quarterback, record setting tight ends and several record setting NFL wide receivers.

This year may be different. Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile is not the main guy anymore. Boyd was a very aggressive passer that seldom checked down. He will be known for getting the ball downfield.

This year there is no Nuk Hopkins or Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile . On third down and three the first option may not be an NFL wide out.

Therefore, this is the year we could see the running game become the main weapon at Clemson. I know Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile and Morris want to be balanced and I know they want to go at a fast pace, but this is the year where the running game may be the best option.

Also the make up of this team is different. With Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile and a deep group at defensive tackle and Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile and a talented bunch at defensive end, the Tigers may lean on that front four. With Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile leading a talented group at linebacker, this may be the best Clemson defense we have seen in several seasons. Maybe this is a team that wins by running the ball and playing stingy defense.

No one knows what Georgia will have on offense due to a new starting quarterback. Florida State should be loaded on offense but the Tigers then face teams with question marks on offense or at quarterback for the rest of the season until the season finale with South Carolina. Maybe this is the year where the Tigers dominate on the defensive side of the ball and the offensive staff doesn't feel like it has to score 40 points to win.

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Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile , Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,
View Full Profile and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, Patrick DeStefanoPatrick DeStefano
Offensive Line (2012 - 2013)
#71 6-5, 275
Spartanburg, SC
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RS Sr. Defensive End
#9 6-3, 270
Jacksonville, FL
View Full Profile and family, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.