Running backs

[Pennsyhusker]

I have some questions regarding our running backs:

Where in the heck has Gabe Ervin gone? Is he injured again? He has been on a milk carton lately. Anyone know the story?

Is Rahmir still injured?

Can anyone explain why in the hell EJ was not our featured every down back before DH got here?

How is our recruiting going at this position?

 

[1Ramsker3]

I would find it hard to believe that Ervin is fully healthy, because otherwise I would think he'd be a piece of the puzzle.

I'm with you on EJ, I've felt he is a our most complete back since the very first game when they sprung DD on us. Leading up to that game, it was either Rahmir or EJ it seemed like and all the sudden it was DD. DD is a good back, he is just can't see any holes and if he did, he doesn't have the quickness to hit it. I don't know that any of the backs do though, EJ doesn't blow anyway with his speed either. We've been told Rahmir has some speed but we've haven't seen it.

I think these guys have all been saddled with a mediocre OL and mediocre play calling/design. I'm hopeful that DH will get more out of them. I liked what I saw last week, just hope it only gets better here on out.

 

[Redblood23]

Running back room is pathetic. Doesn't matter who's back there with this group they're all average at best. Weakest RB room in the conference. Hopefully we hit the portal hard this year and Parker is the real deal. EJ Barthel also needs to be sent packing

 

[SickOfPractice]

I've never quite understood the way we plug-n-play RB's here. A guy rips off a good run & he's immediately replaced. If OCDH sticks around it'll be interesting to see if he doesn't stick with one RB for a longer stretch.

 

[goldencohusker]

We haven't had good running back talent in basically a decade dating back to when we used to go to bowl games. Rex and Ameer were the last NFL quality RBs that came through the program. Devine O I think is the only other guy since to even sniff an NFL roster.

 

[huskerfan66]

I thought they said rj was injured on the radio

 

[Zeke2005]

I did see Irvin on the field after a play so he got into at least once. That was probably it.

 

[leodisflowers]

We need to get rid of all of our backs outside of EJ. EJ should start and get the bulk of the carries and then next year you just portal the hell out of it. Our backs are so bad it is almost comical

 

[jteten]

RB room isn’t explosive, but it isn’t terrible either. EJ should get most f the touches. Dowdell has some serious vision issues though. He run up dudes asses all the time.

 

[HuskerOH]

I've never quite understood the way we plug-n-play RB's here. A guy rips off a good run & he's immediately replaced. If OCDH sticks around it'll be interesting to see if he doesn't stick with one RB for a longer stretch.

The RBs were in for the entire series Sat., first time this season. I am pretty sure only two played, Emmit and Dowdell. Best use of RBs so far, just not often enough.

 

[SLOHusker]

RB room isn’t explosive, but it isn’t terrible either. EJ should get most f the touches. Dowdell has some serious vision issues though. He run up dudes asses all the time.

Yeah, the guy misses holes often. EJ is the best back and I would give him 3/4 of the carries.

 

[LBremser]

According to Rhule, Dowdell had a minor injury in the USC game and that is why EJ had more carries than usual.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

According to Rhule, Dowdell had a minor injury in the USC game and that is why EJ had more carries than usual.

So they'd rather play an unhealthy Dowdell than Ervin. His stock is rock bottom.

 

[cubsker]

I thought both played well vs usc.

 

[scarletred]

According to Rhule, Dowdell had a minor injury in the USC game and that is why EJ had more carries than usual.

I thought he said he had a little tweak turning his ankle early in the week.

 

[LBremser]

I thought he said he had a little tweak turning his ankle early in the week.

You are right, I went back and looked at it and the injury was in practice.

 

[mgbreis]

Dowdell is the best back I've ever seen for turning 47 yard touchdowns into 8 yard gains. It's like he's looking for someone to trip over.

 

[RBigredMax]

According to Rhule, Dowdell had a minor injury in the USC game and that is why EJ had more carries than usual.

Also mentioned that Rahmir’s injury opened more playing time for EJ too. I like the spark EJ brings. Dow dell has his flashes too - but EJ has been bursting lately.

 

[nostromo78]

Dowdell is the best back I've ever seen for turning 47 yard touchdowns into 8 yard gains. It's like he's looking for someone to trip over.

He literally broke a dudes arm in the 2nd game of the season. Since then, he goes down if someone even breathes in his direction.

 

[mgbreis]

He literally broke a dudes arm in the 2nd game of the season. Since then, he goes down if someone even breathes in his direction.

You mean the play where he easily could've scored if he had any moves and wasn't looking to run a guy over?

 

[BugsAreQualityProtein]

I agree we don’t have an elite feature back but the guys we have are talented enough to win games. Rhule continues to employ people who refuse to run the ball simple as that.

 

[dinglefritz]

I did see Irvin on the field after a play so he got into at least once. That was probably it.

Our first string fullback is injured. Gabe needs to play that spot. We have had Dowdell line up as a fullback on a few plays and that has worked a couple of times. I don’t get Greg Sharp’s excuse that our fullback is injured so we can’t use a fullback. We have multiple guys that could play fullback effectively.

 

[dinglefritz]

I agree we don’t have an elite feature back but the guys we are talented enough to win games. Rhule continues to employ people who refuse to run the ball simple as that.

We keep falling in the (break tendencies) throw it on first down trap. Then if it doesn’t work we’re behind the sticks and they think we have to throw it on second and third. It’s exasperating. I liked the between the tackle stuff we did against USC. We should have done more of it.

 

[HoosierinNebraska]

would love to see Gabe and Bonner split the FB spot.

 

[leodisflowers]

would love to see Gabe and Bonner split the FB spot.

Gabe is awful, but I like Bonner. I like that he got a lot of the plays they had tried to run with Fidone. Fidone always seems to be stuck in the mud, and this offense requires a TE that is able to move. I liked that Bonner started to get more run. Fidone could still be a threat, but need to start working him in the middle of the field and use his big body.

 

[mgbreis]

We keep falling in the (break tendencies) throw it on first down trap. Then if it doesn’t work we’re behind the sticks and they think we have to throw it on second and third. It’s exasperating. I liked the between the tackle stuff we did against USC. We should have done more of it.

I would love for someone to post the stats, but it feels like we're spectacularly bad on first down. You can't be successful when you face 3rd & 8 every set of downs.

 

[nostromo78]

You mean the play where he easily could've scored if he had any moves and wasn't looking to run a guy over?

sure.