Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Look To Make Gains in Running Game
11/3/2020 12:44:00 PM | Football
Backs show signs of carrying bigger load
For a rushing attack, it was a start.
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Colorado State gained 158 yards on the ground in the loss to Fresno State, better than what the Rams averaged in 2019. Still, it's not where they want to be, and there are definite ways to improve upon the numbers.
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It was quarterback Todd Centeio who led the Rams in rushing on the day with 89 yards, the first time a CSU quarterback has led the team in rushing in a game since Bradlee Van Pelt on Nov. 7, 2003 against New Mexico with 83 yards. It was an offensive element which Colorado State hasn't used in a while, with Centeio showing early signs of being explosive with his legs with a 35-yard run in the first quarter.
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He averaged 7.4 yards per carry on 12 attempts, but overall, the run game was at 4.1. That's not bad, but head coach Steve Addazio isn't exactly a guy satisfied with "not bad."
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"We averaged over 4 yards a carry. We'd probably like to be at 5 yards a carry, but that's when you're at the elite level," Addazio said. "Our quarterback ran for 90 and averaged 7 yards a carry. I felt we played pretty well. I think what I'm referring to is little things. We got on the goal line and we let a run-through come through. We moved the ball at times extremely well, then we get to 2-yard line and we get hit in the backfield because we let a simple run-through come through on a double team. Those are the mistakes we've got to get corrected."
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Where the numbers can really improve is in the traditional run game, as Colorado State's running backs averaged just 3.2 yards on 21 carries. Marcus McElroy had a couple of big runs, and A'Jon Vivens saw his first action at the position at the collegiate level.
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"I think they complement each other really, really well," offensive coordinator Joey Lynch said. "I thought Marcus did a good job and ran hard. He's a big, physical back and he's faster than you think. Even on our touchdown run early in the second quarter when he bounced it outside, he has the speed to score there.
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"A'Jon is an explosive kid, and of course he's only been at running back for a couple of weeks. He was a receiver for us, and we moved him in fall camp, but I really liked the 1-2 punch and how they complement each other as we move forward in our running game. He's learning every day, and he continues to learn our protections and all that stuff. He's kind of natural running the ball, A'Jon, but all the little nuances of playing the position, he's really improving every day with the more and more reps he gets in practice."
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In front of them, the Rams featured four new starters on the offensive line, a group which had little opportunity to gel in camp. Returning starter Barry Wesley – who made his 25th consecutive start, more than the rest of the offensive line combined – noted he missed 14 days to contact tracing, as did a few other starters. The communication trigger is new, with Cam Reddy starting at center.
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As Wesley explained, the play on the offensive line is a collective build up, and they just aren't at a bat-flip level quite yet.
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"You kind of have to knock off the rust and get back into that smooth transition," he said. "I like to think of it as like a baseball swing. You get more comfortable with it as the season goes on. To have a pause like that built some rust."
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The Rams had nearly a complete week to work with between games, with the exception of Tuesday's mandated off day so student-athletes could exercise their right to vote. Leading up, the team had a trio of physical practices, which Addazio hopes turns into an important mix.
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"Hopefully we can rest a little bit," he said. "We had very, very physical days, but we have to, because were still in the infancy of building our program, and that's more important. Build the program. We had a heavy inside drill on Saturday. We can't back off that, because we have to develop the program right now."
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That includes a physical running attack, with the running backs providing the bulk of the punishment.
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The means running the ball often with success and explosiveness, but most importantly, being able to move the chains when the opponent knows the ball will be handed off. Lynch is confident the Rams will get there, and Wyoming's defense will be a stout challenge as the Cowboys are aggressive in their approach by the way they load the box.
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He's also confident the running backs will be a key factor as the season progresses.
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"Honestly, like any football team or program, I think you make a lot of improvement from week one to week two. We're looking to do that," Lynch said. "I think there were some plays that we left out there in the run game that could have improved upon those rushing stats with our base run game. I do think we're going to continue to get better."
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Colorado State gained 158 yards on the ground in the loss to Fresno State, better than what the Rams averaged in 2019. Still, it's not where they want to be, and there are definite ways to improve upon the numbers.
Â
It was quarterback Todd Centeio who led the Rams in rushing on the day with 89 yards, the first time a CSU quarterback has led the team in rushing in a game since Bradlee Van Pelt on Nov. 7, 2003 against New Mexico with 83 yards. It was an offensive element which Colorado State hasn't used in a while, with Centeio showing early signs of being explosive with his legs with a 35-yard run in the first quarter.
Â
He averaged 7.4 yards per carry on 12 attempts, but overall, the run game was at 4.1. That's not bad, but head coach Steve Addazio isn't exactly a guy satisfied with "not bad."
Â
"We averaged over 4 yards a carry. We'd probably like to be at 5 yards a carry, but that's when you're at the elite level," Addazio said. "Our quarterback ran for 90 and averaged 7 yards a carry. I felt we played pretty well. I think what I'm referring to is little things. We got on the goal line and we let a run-through come through. We moved the ball at times extremely well, then we get to 2-yard line and we get hit in the backfield because we let a simple run-through come through on a double team. Those are the mistakes we've got to get corrected."
Â
Where the numbers can really improve is in the traditional run game, as Colorado State's running backs averaged just 3.2 yards on 21 carries. Marcus McElroy had a couple of big runs, and A'Jon Vivens saw his first action at the position at the collegiate level.
Â
"I think they complement each other really, really well," offensive coordinator Joey Lynch said. "I thought Marcus did a good job and ran hard. He's a big, physical back and he's faster than you think. Even on our touchdown run early in the second quarter when he bounced it outside, he has the speed to score there.
Â
"A'Jon is an explosive kid, and of course he's only been at running back for a couple of weeks. He was a receiver for us, and we moved him in fall camp, but I really liked the 1-2 punch and how they complement each other as we move forward in our running game. He's learning every day, and he continues to learn our protections and all that stuff. He's kind of natural running the ball, A'Jon, but all the little nuances of playing the position, he's really improving every day with the more and more reps he gets in practice."
Â
In front of them, the Rams featured four new starters on the offensive line, a group which had little opportunity to gel in camp. Returning starter Barry Wesley – who made his 25th consecutive start, more than the rest of the offensive line combined – noted he missed 14 days to contact tracing, as did a few other starters. The communication trigger is new, with Cam Reddy starting at center.
Â
As Wesley explained, the play on the offensive line is a collective build up, and they just aren't at a bat-flip level quite yet.
Â
"You kind of have to knock off the rust and get back into that smooth transition," he said. "I like to think of it as like a baseball swing. You get more comfortable with it as the season goes on. To have a pause like that built some rust."
Â
The Rams had nearly a complete week to work with between games, with the exception of Tuesday's mandated off day so student-athletes could exercise their right to vote. Leading up, the team had a trio of physical practices, which Addazio hopes turns into an important mix.
Â
"Hopefully we can rest a little bit," he said. "We had very, very physical days, but we have to, because were still in the infancy of building our program, and that's more important. Build the program. We had a heavy inside drill on Saturday. We can't back off that, because we have to develop the program right now."
Â
That includes a physical running attack, with the running backs providing the bulk of the punishment.
Â
The means running the ball often with success and explosiveness, but most importantly, being able to move the chains when the opponent knows the ball will be handed off. Lynch is confident the Rams will get there, and Wyoming's defense will be a stout challenge as the Cowboys are aggressive in their approach by the way they load the box.
Â
He's also confident the running backs will be a key factor as the season progresses.
Â
"Honestly, like any football team or program, I think you make a lot of improvement from week one to week two. We're looking to do that," Lynch said. "I think there were some plays that we left out there in the run game that could have improved upon those rushing stats with our base run game. I do think we're going to continue to get better."
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Players Mentioned
Thursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28