OL-RB Run Game

[fourthandshort]

So this stat is a bit obscure, but I think I good measure of how our OL is doing this year versus last getting push and creating holes. There are other factors that contribute to that result (better play calling, smarter RB decisions, better run/pass balance, etc). But it simply takes ratio Negative Rush Yards to Total Rush Yards, excluding QBs

- we have 893 total yards gained less 33 by QBs = 860 total yards gained by RBs
- we have 53 total yards lost less 36 by QBs = 17 total yards lost by RBs
- take that ratio: 17 / 860 = 2.0% of total yards gained are offset by yards lost

Compare that to last season .. it was over 7% of total yards gained were offset by yards lost (excl QBs again).

Compare that to 2016 season .. it was 5.5% total yards gained being offset by yards lost .. and we had 5 seniors initally starting at OL (later add a SO), and 3 wound up in NFL camps.

Now compare that to NDSU (excl QBs) this year .. they have 4.6% of total yards gained being offset by yards lost.

It's early, and we haven't played the meat of our schedule yet .. but neither has NDSU. So far, so good ... and much better than a year ago.

Not surprisingly, yards per carry is also up from a year ago:

- Robinson from 5.7 to 7.4
- Smith from 5.2 to 6.4

But again it is early and our SOS has been pretty middle of road compared to rest of FCS so far. Tough games and defenses coming.

 

[Chi-bird]

Very interesting and telling stat.