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Not running Purdy in openers

jakemcilroy

jakemcilroy

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Nov 26, 2006
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The zone read and QB power is a big part of Iowa State's offense. Purdy is an elite running quarterback. He's strong, shifty and has a real ability to gain positive yards. The problem is, in their last 2 season openers (2019 vs. UNI and 2020 vs. Louisiana), ISU has not utilized this part of the offense. My theory, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, is that they're both protecting him from injury and playing it close to the vest for week 2 (usually Iowa but TCU last year).

So, I had some free time this weekend and I went and watched every offensive snap in those 2 games. Please note I'm ONLY counting called QB runs (zone read, QB draw and QB power. not scrambles, broken plays, and sacks).

Here is the breakdown:

2019 vs. UNI
  • 0 called rushing attempts

2020 vs. LOUISIANA
  • 2 called rushhing attemps
    • The first one came with 10 minutes to go in the 2nd Quarter. A zone read keeper that went for 6 yards.
    • The second one came late down 24-14 midway through the 4th quarter and went for 7 yards.

Do I expect them to run him more Saturday? No, I don't. But I do think it impacts our offense's ability to score points and create margin.
 
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He shouldn't have to run much but he shouldn't have to throw all that much either.

Ought to just have him play catch to move the chains and get RBs off the edge to allow them space to operate and get the scores.

I'm gonna pistol whip someone if it's 4th and short and he pulls up to try some unnecessary pass (happened in 2019) across field or something.

*I'm not really going to pistol whip someone (don't have a pistol and will be watching with my dad) but if that kind of **** goes on I expect another stupid opener.
 
I have the answer then. We wait until Dekkers enters the game before we start running the QB.

UNI's strength is their D line and I'm guessing they'll be loading up to stop the run. Wouldn't be surprised if Milton and Chase Allen have big games as they'll probably key on X and Kohler. I'm also hoping Jirehl Brock gets a lot of carries and rushes for 100 yards.
 
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jakemcilroy said:
Like 2019?
Click to expand...

Him not running much in 2019 vs. UNI had nothing to do with the outcome of that game. ISU kept screwing around on both sides of the ball and put themselves in that situation.

Last season there were other reasons having to do with bad preparedness.

It would be pretty awesome if ISU came out well prepared for an opener.
 
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madguy30 said:
He shouldn't have to run much but he shouldn't have to throw all that much either.

Ought to just have him play catch to move the chains and get RBs off the edge to allow them space to operate and get the scores.

I'm gonna pistol whip someone if it's 4th and short and he pulls up to try some unnecessary pass (happened in 2019) across field or something.

*I'm not really going to pistol whip someone (don't have a pistol and will be watching with my dad) but if that kind of **** goes on I expect another stupid opener.
Click to expand...
Chicken or the egg. I kind of think we did that stuff when we didn’t have confidence in the run game.
 
dualthreat said:
Chicken or the egg. I kind of think we did that stuff when we didn’t have confidence in the run game.
Click to expand...

I think it's coach or player trying to 'stay ahead' of the defense instead of just getting up there and getting a new set of downs and wasn't totally surprising.

I can't find the play but it was some wackado thing that I don't even think the receiver was expecting.
 
I don't think there are many folks outside of Iowa who would consider Brock Purdy an "elite" rushing QB, but he is certainly a threat. With our improved O-line play he should be able to pick apart UNI secondary and allow Dekkers to do the same in the 2nd half.
 
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ClonesFTW said:
I don't think there are many folks outside of Iowa who would consider Brock Purdy an "elite" rushing QB, but he is certainly a threat. With our improved O-line play he should be able to pick apart UNI secondary and allow Dekkers to do the same in the 2nd half.
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How about “he’s one of the best good throwing QBs in the country…at running.”
 
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ISU should go full speed ahead vs. UNI. The game two years ago was painful to watch, and the Louisiana game was just down right frustrating. Purdy being able to run is part of what makes Iowa State's offense work, and they should allow it to happen naturally on Saturday. Come out and play like #6!
 
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Put Purdy running on tape, put deep shots on tape, please dear God. Let's not be in a dog fight in the second half against an FCS team that was mediocre in their season less than 6 months ago because we run Breece into stacked boxes on 1st and 2nd down over and over again. You want teams to respect the deep shot anyway!
 
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AlaCyclone said:
ISU should go full speed ahead vs. UNI. The game two years ago was painful to watch, and the Louisiana game was just down right frustrating. Purdy being able to run is part of what makes Iowa State's offense work, and they should allow it to happen naturally on Saturday. Come out and play like #6!
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I agree. This isn’t a time to not be full pedal to the metal every game this year. Don’t overlook any opponent.
 
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Hoping he does not have to run much unless it is a designed play as we have a solid OL this year that should give him enough time to throw and not have to scramble. I have a feeling given what is on the line this year that the coaching staff has a game plan in place that we aren't going to mess around and be too conservative early and try to get us a comfortable lead where we can show some of the 2 deep depth in the 2nd half. If Purdy is going to run it will likely be calculated play calls where they see an opportunity but when you have Hall Brock and the receiving core we hopefully should have an OL that can give Purdy enough time in the pocket to make plays with his arm and not his legs.
 
AlaCyclone said:
ISU should go full speed ahead vs. UNI. The game two years ago was painful to watch, and the Louisiana game was just down right frustrating. Purdy being able to run is part of what makes Iowa State's offense work, and they should allow it to happen naturally on Saturday. Come out and play like #6!
Click to expand...

My argument (for at least a few designed runs, or options to run) would be that it keeps the defense from crashing so hard, and he could just as easily get hit hard that way. Not to mention that it takes away a dimension from his game that makes him the lethal weapon that he can be.
 
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