FSU football: How coaches adapted the offense for its playmakers
By Kelvin Hunt
Running Backs
Running backs Jashaun Corbin and Treshaun Ward have emerged as the two most reliable offensive options. Both guys average around eight yards per rush, so naturally, FSU football fans want them to get more touches in the run game.
The problem is teams have stacked the box more times than not, forcing FSU to pass the ball. The Noles have run the ball 55 percent of the time through five games, but that’s compounded with an offensive line that doesn’t pass block well.
Also, the wide receivers have been unreliable, and the quarterbacks haven’t been great in the passing game, not making the right reads, taking unnecessary sacks, and turning the ball over. The coaching staff has found new ways to get the ball to Corbin and Ward.
They’ve tried to sprinkle some Lawrance Toafili in there as well. They’ve recognized the quarterbacks don’t have time to get the ball downfield, so they are using the running backs in the screen game as an extension of the run.
The success of these plays depends on wide receivers and tight ends making their blocks to get these playmakers in space. They are lining these guys out wide, stretching the defense horizontally, which opens up running lanes and vertical shots downfield.
I know it can be frustrating to watch at times, but it’s smart playcalling. They are limiting the number of negative plays that can happen, and they are getting the ball into their playmaker’s hands. Then they can mix in the run, and we saw the effectiveness with both guys having explosive runs in the game.