Can Tech run when it wants to, not just when it has to?
It’s hard to put too much fault on Kliff Kingsbury for the way his offenses performed over the last six years. But since 2015 when the best RB of the last decade, DeAndre Washington graduated, the Red Raiders have been unable to establish a ground game that can run the ball when it wants to, regardless of the down and distance.
For far too long, it has felt like Tech’s rushing attack has been predicated on surprising the opponent and fooling defenses with formations, unusual pre-snap motion, or running on downs when a pass is expected. But that has not proven to be effective because at some point in most football games a team will have to run the ball and pick up critical yards when everyone in the stadium knows that the ball is staying on the ground.
That’s been a focus of Wells and new OC David Yost who both believe that the ground game is central to a team’s success. But thus far, we haven’t seen Tech face a team that has been able to put the game into a situation where running the ball is essential.
Still, the early returns on the new-look rushing attack are promising. In week one, Tech gashed the Bobcats for 255 yards and four touchdowns and last Saturday, Yost’s offense racked up 160 more yards and two more scores on the ground.
Of course, the biggest play of the season thus far came on the ground when senior Armand Shyne broke off a 69-yard TD in week one. But after running for 125 yards in his Red Raider debut, the grad transfer from Utah had just 45 yards (tied for the team lead) against UTEP.
So far this year, it has felt like Yost has been more concerned with working on the passing game as he’s called 102 passes to just 71 rushes. But at some point on Saturday, Tech’s ground game will be needed.
Arizona ranks No. 45 in the nation against the run thus far, giving up 115 yards per game, but Tech should be the best rushing team the Cats have seen. If the ground game can prove to be a true priority, rather than just a last resort, it will be tough for the Arizona defense to stop Tech’s offense and it will be a great sign for the Red Raiders moving forward.