Over the last couple games — and especially in the Louisville game — there was a very encouraging trend in the backfield. Using more than one back.
It is no secret that Coach Wannstedt wants to run on offense as much as possible. It is also no secret that Wannstedt would prefer to have one workhorse back, a blocking fullback and an occasional change-of-pace back for a series or two. That’s what he has always preferred and had the last two seasons in McCoy, Collins and Stephens-Howling.
This year he does not have the workhorse back and change of pace back. Dion Lewis and Ray Graham are very similar in size and speed. While they have slightly different running styles, it isn’t so dramatic to constitute a change-of-pace.
In the first 4 games we saw the offense try to use Dion Lewis as a workhorse back, since he was the starter. The problem — which especially became more noticeable in the Navy and NC State games was that Lewis was clearly getting worn down in the second half. A mix of hard running in the first half, teams adjusting in the second and the slow wear of the first third of his first college football season.
To that extent, we saw in the Louisville game, more utilization of Ray Graham. An appearance for a series in the first half and more touches in the second. It made a huge difference. More than as a change-of-pace, it was fresh legs to attack.
I think going forward, there will be more of that. A roughly 60-40 split in carries between Lewis and Graham. Between simply keeping talented backs happy by giving them both touches, and allowing more productive running in the second half this should continue.
We (I) criticize Wannstedt often for refusing to change his approach on offense — even if he pays lip service to it. In this case he has appeared to make an adaptation. Whether you want to credit new OC Cignetti or RB Coach Walker for helping push for the change, it is still Wannstedt’s team and his call so he gets some credit for going with what can only help the running game.
There is still the change-of-pace issue and that brings it to the fullback Henry Hynoski. For Pitt, he should be the guy to change styles from the quick and shifty/quick and explosive to power-bruising. The big bruising fullback is clearly doing great as a blocking back, but through 5 games has only 6 touches. Especially late in the game, it seems that it would be an ideal time to use Hynoski. Have him hit that line and deliver some blows to the D-line.
Not saying that the right thing to do, but I do think that’s how DW sees it. DW is a fundamentals type of guy.
We saw it with the “wildcat” last season when he said that if we were going to run out of it why deprive our best RB the chance to carry the ball and be successful; we have seen it for four years with Nate Byham where he’s such a good blocking TE that he’s used almost exclusively in that role (it’s no coincidence that TWO OC’s use him the exact same way); and I think we are seeing it with Hynoski in short yardage situations now.
I also like the idea of getting Hynoski involved similar to how WVU used Schmitt a couple years ago. I would love to see him getting 4-6 touches a game for the rest of the year. Not to mention if they start using him with fullback draws and such, that could open up some off tackle and outside pitches for Lewis and Graham.