While our offense has put up huge numbers (for SU), the game does not always seem to flow as easily as it should. At times, SU has thrown the ball well and, at times, we have run the ball well. The first drive of the USF game, we ran the ball very well (admittedly not as well as Lamar Lindsey) and marched right down the field. However, that emphasis on the run and succes was lost for much of the rest of the game.

It seems that we either have drives where Hackett wants to establish the run, or drives where we need to score and rely heavily on the pass.

I think the problem lies on our package. Jerome smith is our premier runner. He is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Alternatively, PTG is averaging 4.2 ypg, but it feels like there is a substantial drop off when he runs the ball. Backs like PTG succeed when they have blazing speed and can make plays in space - ie oregon, west virginia, or when they have hulking lineman who dominate and they can hide behind their blockers - ie emmitt smith. Unfortunately, neither is the situation right now.

Jerome smith on the other hand runs great, but has the dropsies out of the backfield, and PTG is a more real passing threat. As a result, on passing plays, we have to bring in PTG and on running plays, we lose a little without Jerome Smith in there.

My point is, we seem to lose the flow and the "hurry-up" when we have to keep subbing Jerome smith and PTG. If jerome smith was a bigger threat out of the backfield, i think we would have drives that maintain the hurry up quality, but we'd also have the optimal package and flexibility to both run and pass. This flexibility would markedly improve our productivity and eliminate some of these drives where we are all run or all pass.

I also think we need to do a better job of getting our speedsters the ball in space - ie bubble screens to kobena or chris clarke - heaven knows weve been hurt enough by plays like those. Kobena is a deep threat, but also is our kick off guy. Give him the ball and let him out run people.