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Cam Akers: ‘Noles running game heading in right direction

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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FSU football has run wild over the Miami Hurricanes the past few years. Sophomore running back Cam Akers believes its close to clicking in 2018.

The FSU football offense was thought to be predicated on the run game in 2018 with Willie Taggart’s Gulf Coast Offense.

It hasn’t been quite as productive as we thought with the Noles relying explosive plays through the air to make up the difference.

However, the Noles have been sticking with the run game as they’ve run the ball 88 times the past two games but averaging just 2.55 yards per rush.

Sophomore running back Cam Akers is the one player FSU fans want to see get going in the run game. He spoke with the media prior to Tuesday’s practice and believes the Noles are close to executing in the run game how they want to.

Thoughts

Cam Akers torched the Canes in 2017 to the tune of 121 yards on 20 carries for a 6.1 ypc average. The Noles rushed for 203 yards against the “vaunted” ‘Canes defense that only allowed 3.5 yards per carry.

That was with a true freshman quarterback in James Blackman at the helm. Listen, I’m not so sure the Noles won’t get it going on the ground against the Canes.

It’s not like they’ve beaten anyone of note and UNC had over 100 rushing yards before halftime in their game last week. It will all come down to three things:

  • Offensive line blocking
  • Deondre Francois making smart decisions at the line of scrimmage
  • Running backs being patient and hitting the correct holes

The Noles can also use the passing game to set up the run, but those pass plays need to be able to get the ball out fairly quickly. Miami’s defense plays fairly undisciplined at times and can be taken advantage of with some well-timed screens.

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Those types of things will not allow them to put so many players in the box against the run. So it’ll be interesting to see how this aspect of the game goes. The offensive line for FSU was terrible last year and the Noles ran it well, who’s to say it can’t happen in 2018?

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