Un-Whammy: The Offense

So, while I think that the defense is the driving factor in our success, our offense has, over the last six quarters, begun to find a rhythm and move the chains.  And in terms of improvement, there is no question that the offense has showed the sharpest difference from the earlier and darker days of the season.

And who would have ever thought that BG's offensive identity would be to establish the run.  In my 25 questions post, I wondered if BG could get the run going and then use play action to make the whole thing easier for Schilz--to get him in positions where he can excel because he was struggling when he had to carry the offense all on his own.  And, perhaps a little success will improve confidence and get a little flywheel going that way.

Establish the run they did.  BG ran the ball on 44 plays and passed on only 27 plays, and that's a ratio we haven't seen for a while.

It worked.  BG had 251 yards to show for its 44 carries, a very healthy 5.7 yards per carry.  Samuel had a huge, huge game with 171 yards on 22 carries and Pettigrew had 55 yards on 10 carries.  Martin contributed 27 yards as well and Givens had 3 carries.

Meanwhile, Schilz was 20 of 27 for 235 yards, placing him ahead of Dysert in completions and yards.   He threw one pic put also had 2 TDs and was only sacked once.

In other words, it really seems like by getting the run going, the passing lanes did open up for Schilz and he was very effective in that role on Saturday.

Credit, as well, to the offensive line.  To the extent there were nerves about the line in some earlier games, this is the second week in a row that they have just pushed around an opponent and that's great to see.  We were lost without something that works, and thanks to the line and our backs, we seemed to find something we can win with.

The ball was spread around a little bit among the WRs...Burbrink has a streak of catches in the second half and Chris Gallon had a huge catch for a TD that forced Miami to stay in a throwing attack.  Joplin had 3 grabs and even Stokes made a big catch late.

In total, 27 first downs and 6.8 yards per play, both outstanding efforts for our team.  As futile as the offense seemed to be early on, this is something that is working.

One last note on the offense.  From the Blade's columns, Jermal Hosley, the true FR WR who had started to get some time is out for the year with a knee injury.  He can get a medical redshirt.  And, perhaps more concerning is that Alex Bayer left the game in the first half and did not return.  There is no word on his injury--he was just starting to get integrated into the offense, and while we have some depth at TE, he would be missed.