LeSean McCoy got a little attention out in Philly in the Daily News’ “Spotlight.”
He’s the nation’s most productive first-year running back, having gained 1,065 yards on 198 carries. He’s the Panthers’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Kevan Barlow (1,167) in 2000. And the first Pitt freshman to do it since Curvin Richards (1,228) in 1988. The only other was some guy named Tony Dorsett (1,686) in 1973.
Of course, part of what makes what McCoy is doing so special is that he is doing it with everyone fully aware of what’s coming.
All of which has led to opposing defense lining up with eight and sometimes nine men near the line of scrimmage in an effort to stop the run. Still, McCoy has rushed for more than 100 yards in four consecutive games and has surpassed 1,000 yards for the season.
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He’s doing it without the benefit of a threat of a passing game, behind an offensive that is generously described by some as inconsistent and against defenses that are designed to shut him down.
Of course, a couple days later there was a softening towards the description of the O-line.
Despite facing defenses stacked to stop the run, the Panthers are running the ball even better this season. That’s a credit to a change in the players’ mind-set, an improved offensive line and, most important, the arrival of freshman tailback LeSean McCoy, the Panthers’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2000.
“We are definitely making strides in that area,” Wannstedt said. “And what I like is that we are starting to zero in on a half dozen plays that our players are starting to believe in. If you ask our offensive line, they would say ‘run this play’ or ‘run that play,’ because they are starting to enjoy the mentality of a tough, run-orientated offense. And as we start throwing the ball better we’ll start reaping some of the benefits of running the ball well.
“As you run the ball well, all of a sudden you start hitting those play-action passes, but we really haven’t gotten to that point yet. But I think to a man in here, they understand what we are doing, why we are doing it and they believe in it.”
I’m going with the former description rather than the latter. The inability to get any push against a horrible D-line like Syracuse’s was the final embarrassment. It can’t always be that the opposing team just happened to have a good game.
5.9 yards per attemp
The last thing this team needs is someone being reckless with the ball and making poor decisions.
This is a West Coast offense, so you would not expect a ridiculously high ypc for a QB.
I agree it is necessary to stretch the field but I can’t complain about short passes as long as they are effective and we protect the ball. The last thing I want is the defense on the field more than absolutely necessary.
Conversely, I would bet that you wouldn’t find a starter in Div 1-A that wasn’t on the field for the majority of pre-season camp. Hell, Bostick wasn’t even in the same city. He didn’t practice as the starter, or even third string QB. He didn’t attend QB meetings and didn’t get any coaching whatsoever. But still, here he is – thrust into the starting job and accomplishing what he’s been directed to do. Which, for the most part, is complete dink & dunk short yardage passes as per the gameplan and play calls from the Offensive coordinator.
Here’s his telling stat – 3 ints since he’s been named as starter, and about a 70% completion rate. That’s what MC has needed him to do, and that’s what he’s done.
I am not blaming Bostick. I understand that he should not be in this position this early in his career. (I also blame this on the coaching staff for not considering having more then 3 QB’s on the roster at the start of the year) I am blaming Matt C or Wanny or whoever designs the gameplans. They have to let the kid make mistakes. That’s the only way for him to learn anything. Our gameplan is just to conservative.
We cannot beat the 3 teams left on our schedule if we do not open up the offense.
It would be nice to see Pitt try to win a game as opposed to trying not to lose everygame.
you are faulting them for not having more than 3 qbs on the roster? how many should pitt have?
Although, we probably wouldn’t be having this discussion if they had just put Bostick in for the Grambling game and on. We would probably be bowl eligible too.
If you look at most college team rosters they carry any where from 4 to 6 QB’s. Every Big East team carries no less then 4 most have 5 to 6. We have 3 I would have been looking for help at that position prior to the start of the season if I were on the coaching staff.
Please don’t get me wrong Pat Bostick has done everything they have asked of him and he is handling himself very well. I just don’t think that a pass in the 10 to 15 yard range more then 1 or 2 times a game is to risky for any team and until we can pass the ball down the field (this does not mean bombs away but somewhere near the sticks would be nice) we will not be able to move the ball with our running game.
If Pitt wants get better on the offense side of the ball, fake it to Shady and everything else opens up. Best example was when a fake to shady going on a sweep left and Pat was running with no one near him [oppsite direction] and flipped the ball to a WR. Do it five times and will get more yardage.