The Jackal wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 6:56 am
gofurman wrote: ↑Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:30 pm
2- if you watch the play you will notice the CItadel does Not respect Huff's run much by this point - meaning his willingness to pull the ball and take it himself. And based on the game develpments.. they shouldn't.
They have everyone keyed on the RB except one guy watching Huff. One. Need his dual threat capability to at least make another guy slide towards the QB keeper to the left. All the Citadel guys were there for ROberto.
Awesome that he ran right over them! But that won't work vs great FCS DL.
Hope Huff can be a runner (even if taught to slide more) again soon...
This is a straight hand off by Huff. Yes, the Citadel was keying on Roberto because that's who was getting the ball.
I disagree with your assessment that the Citadel wasn't respecting Huff's ability to run, though. This play is a good example.
I have no idea if this is called to be a straight handoff to Roberto or a zone read by Huff. Probably the former. What you
can see, though, is Citadel clearly respects Huff's running ability.
Huff effectively blocks the backside defensive end by staring at him (i.e., blocks him "with his eyes"). There is no Furman player assigned to block the backside DE/OLB. That player is forced to slowly feather down the line of scrimmage because he has to defend the possibility that Huff will pull the ball and run around him.
Also look at the backside safety. His eyes are watching the interaction at the line of scrimmage between Huff and the DE/OLB. I assume it will be his responsibility to fill the lane backside if Huff gets to the corner.
Huff's running ability caused hesitation for two Citadel defenders on this play. Roberto reels off a long touchdown run and Furman really didn't even bother blocking two Bulldog defenders. The threat of Huff's outside run kept them in one spot and allowed Furman's offense to get numbers at the point of attack.
I think we all assumed that Huff's running was limited because of his injury. It seemed in the post-game comments that Huff didn't run that much because Furman didn't need to.
Fair. I do get your point on this individual play. -regarding Huff freezing defenders with eyes etc. True
But if you don't run it a few times - say 5 per game..
then eventually most teams will quit respecting the 'dual threat' at least as much... .. maybe not until the late 3rd quarter... but at some point.
Also, I heavily suspect Huff didn't run BOTH bc we didn't need it AND in a protection mode.
Proof? Its right there for you in the quickest slide I have EVER seen him take. C'mon. Furman was playing to protect him - I don't think we have ever seen him slide and only have one run in a game. He usually runs several times and takes hard hits. The injury was at play at some level. That's without a doubt. Usual Huff - 6 runs taking HARD hits. Post injury? One run, and a quick slide. And that is the RIGHT decision. Just we probably shouldn't say his lack of running/keeping the ball was all because of a lack of need. It was due to BOTH a lack of need and some wise(!!!) precaution.
I hope he is healthy enough to run some soon. But I bet he slides more than he did before. IF he
slides more now - I am specifically referring to how much he Slides going forward... then that's protection of him from the coaches, not "Huff didn't run that much because Furman didn't need to." I bet he runs a little more in a game soon but the slides are more common.