RB's Robinson & Smith .. history lesson

[fourthandshort]

NDSU won 5 straight national championships from 2011-15, semis in 2016, currently ranked top 2 in 2017 so far ... here are their top RB stats since 2011. I'd say that formula has worked ok for them so far.

2011
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Sam Ojuri 15 187 1137 32 1105 5.9 11 95 73.7
DJ McNorton 14 197 1060 40 1020 5.2 13 60 72.9

2012
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Ojuri,Sam 14 215 1059 12 1047 4.9 12 53 74.8
Crockett,John 15 194 1059 21 1038 5.4 9 57 69.2

2013
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Ojuri,Sam 15 214 1427 29 1398 6.5 10 73 93.2
Crockett,John 15 190 1307 30 1277 6.7 11 71 85.1

2014
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Crockett,John 16 368 2028 34 1994 5.4 21 80 124.6
Wentz,Carson 16 138 760 118 642 4.7 6 41 40.1
Frazier,King 16 111 627 11 616 5.5 4 33 38.5


2015
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Frazier,King 15 219 1184 26 1158 5.3 11 51 77.2
Anderson,Bruce 15 90 528 25 503 5.6 2 57 33.5
Stick,Easton 11 85 550 52 498 5.9 5 60 45.3
Dunn,Lance 13 95 489 21 468 4.9 3 60 36.0

2016
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Dunn,Lance 14 166 1015 19 996 6.0 6 56 71.1
Frazier,King 13 183 885 6 879 4.8 11 44 67.6
Stick,Easton 14 113 792 107 685 6.1 7 52 48.9

2017 NDSU thru game 7
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Lance Dunn 7 80 642 8 634 7.9 12 73 90.6
Bruce Anderson 7 100 581 21 560 5.6 3 46 80.0

2017 ISU thru game 7 ... note, this includes 3 bad run games, and 1 game Smith barely played
RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
ROBINSON,James 7 95 620 56 564 5.9 6 87 80.6
SMITH,Markel 7 71 400 28 372 5.2 3 57 53.1

Just saying ... this formula could work if we're smart about it and they both embrace this shared role. Oh my, the possibilities for next 3 years ....

 

[Chi-bird]

Good stuff. Let's hope we can keep each of these two backs healthy and happy.

Speaking of Ojuri, a couple of us happened upon his group's RV after the heart-breaker in Frisco and it turned into a pretty fun post-party.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Good stuff. Let's hope we can keep each of these two backs healthy and happy.

Speaking of Ojuri, a couple of us happened upon his group's RV after the heart-breaker in Frisco and it turned into a pretty fun post-party.

Does everyone in the state of North Dakota own an RV? Hope our local TA and Dixie truck stops are ready for the spike in three weeks...

 

[StLRedbird]

I believe the preferred nomenclature is "mobile communities".

 

[fourthandshort]

Update thru 10-28

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
ROBINSON,James 8 117 739 58 681 5.8 9 87 85.1
SMITH,Markel 8 89 524 28 496 5.6 4 57 62.0

* Smith had just 3 carries for -2 yards against SIU .. likely injured an tried to play

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Bruce Anderson 8 126 662 24 638 5.1 4 46 79.8
Lance Dunn 7 80 642 8 634 7.9 12 73 90.6

* note, Lance Dunn was held out of UNI game due to hip injury.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Both of our SOPHOMORE running backs are in the top 30 in the country in YPC, averaging 5.7 YPC between them. I know we are harping on Kolbe for not being Roberson or Matt Brown, but we may be in the middle of something unheard of here. It is possible that this team has 2 1000 yard running backs who BOTH have 2 years left to develop. I mean, how crazy is that? No wonder the slot receiver is always getting the catches here, defenses know they have to stack the box every single play and still can't stop these guys with any regularity. If you can get Artis Henderson into more of a speed back role and find a way to get him 8+ touches a game, you are going to give D-Coordinators fits.

If it turns out that Broadnax is your up and coming QB and has the helm in 2019, you have an embarrassment of offensive weapons to choose from.

 

[fourthandshort]

Both of our SOPHOMORE running backs are in the top 30 in the country in YPC, averaging 5.7 YPC between them. I know we are harping on Kolbe for not being Roberson or Matt Brown, but we may be in the middle of something unheard of here. It is possible that this team has 2 1000 yard running backs who BOTH have 2 years left to develop. I mean, how crazy is that? No wonder the slot receiver is always getting the catches here, defenses know they have to stack the box every single play and still can't stop these guys with any regularity. If you can get Artis Henderson into more of a speed back role and find a way to get him 8+ touches a game, you are going to give D-Coordinators fits.

If it turns out that Broadnax is your up and coming QB and has the helm in 2019, you have an embarrassment of offensive weapons to choose from.

bingo - you hit nail on head !!

Between our RB strength and OL/WR weakness .. this is why we must design our offensive system and game plan accordingly. Kolbe throwing for 270 yards in 1st half of InSU game when they stuffed our run game, sent us into tailspin .. Dicken was too inclined to abandon run game ... and that didn't work out given our issues. Now we are refocused on leading with run game, and our OL is back on track. Pass game will return soon as well ... just need to remember what we are good at and not good at .. that said, our OL will continute to improve and get better at run and pass blocking .. then we can open up play book more .. but need WR and TE groups to do their part, and then watch Kolbe manage this offense come playoffs.

Need to know what we are good and not so good at .. but build game plan around our 2 RB studs .. and make sure game plan reflects whewre our OL is at and who we are up against.

Interestingly, Spack commented on last weeks weekly interview that sometimes our RBs aren't being patient enough and waiting for right hole to open. He said, not all our negative plays are on OL .. some are on RB. I have noticed Robinson sometimes tries to hard to bounce a play outside or reverse field ... he is quick for his size, but he is not quick like a 180 lb RB who might be able to get away with dancing around behind line of scrimmage. That said, hard to look gift horse in mouth. Smith seems to better job staying with the play.

 

[cpacmel]

Lance Dunn 7 80 642 8 634 7.9 12 73 90.6

* note, Lance Dunn was held out of UNI game due to hip injury.

Dunn is rumored to be out for the year with a torn labrum.

 

[fourthandshort]

getting banged up is to be expected, and you play games hoping your opponent is more tired and banged up than you .. it is just the nature of football .. war of attrition, who's tougher and in better shape .. all that. But you never wish season ending injuries on anyone or team.

But can't help but notice, NDSU seems to have more studs go down with season ending injuries than most teams. I've heard similar on AGS. Every year, they seem to lose 2-3 starters to season ending injuries. Maybe that just because the usually have more studs .. who knows.

Anyway, wish Lance Dunn a speedy recovery. Obviously, this improves our chances against them, but I'm sure they have yet another RB waiting in wings.

 

[CB2K]

I was glad to see the heavy use of the run game against YSU. Lots of game time reps for the run help with continuous improvement. If we can get more consistent with the run game then this will open up the passing lanes better and give more opportunity and ultimately increased confidence in the passing game. I am really impressed with the bounce back games and resilience of this team. Tough sledding ahead against ranked opponents but they are in a good position now to capitalize and add some more quality wins. This team seems to be coming together.

 

[cpacmel]

Robinson actually leads the MVFC in rushing this season. Smith is 7th!