GFlash68, I thought of you when I read the following quote from Glen Mason:
"... I think Minnesota ranked about 118 out of 119 in rushing in college football when I got here. We brought it with, we kind of developed it here, and it’s not the same. I’ve said many times when I went in to programs that lost more often than they won, when I went to Kent State I tried to figure out why some programs win and why some programs lose, and I was trying to look past the obvious. I remember sitting at Kent State getting all the statistics out and looking at it, and at least that year in 1986 the one thing that jumped out at me, the common denominator because all programs are different, but from a football standpoint was that, losing programs could not run the football and they played lousy defense. A lot of losing programs put up world-class passing stats, but lost. I was inheriting a program that couldn’t run at Kent State, so anyway we went to an extreme; we went to the wishbone. I started a freshman quarterback, who was pretty good, and he got hurt, and I went to the “I.
Kent State have good lineman but Mattola failed to play them. They all should get there chance at spring ball. Thats positive. I bet you will see a championship team next year if Martin makes a complete offensive line change, new running back Tony Howard, time for Machen to throw the ball, Dragger back and healthy, and no injuries. Some of these players were all Ohio products when recruited. Running back Tony Howard all Ohio north- south and Big 33 game. Offensive lineman center Shawn Donaldson all Ohio north south and Big 33 game. These guys played with the best that went to Ohio State. Mich., Penn State, etc. These two I know were offered other scholarships at other schools, but want to play for Kent. McGraw offensive lineman should be healthy, Dalton Memel is a strong West Virgina product for the offensive line.Put these proven high school products in the line up along with other good players and watch this team turn around.
KSU FOOTBALL, I certainly hope you are right. However, I believe that Martin needs to make some modifications to his offensive approach.
I realize the game has changed a lot since Mason coached at Kent in ’86 and ’87 but the fundamentals of college football have not changed.
Now that the spread offense has been in vague during the last ten years or so, many coaches like Martin have tried to implement it in their programs. To my knowledge, Kent has ran the spread offense the last three years. Martin has utilized a lot of three- and four-receiver sets, running zone plays inside and options outside. Last year Martin had some success with it winning big in his last four games. But ironically, it was Cribbs’ ability to run that helped make the spread offense work last year.
I am not suggesting that Martin should totally abandoned the offensive scheme that he has implemented since he has been at Kent, but I believe he needs to make some major adjustments.
The following Web site provides a perfect description of how offensive college football has evolved over the last thirty years: <a href='http://heismanpundit.com/?postid=591' target='_blank'>http://heismanpundit.com/?postid=591</a>
After reading this article, you realize how much offensive schemes have changed over the years and how coaches have to continue to be innovative if they want to succeed in college football today.
Although coaches need to be innovative on offense, they can also learn from the past. Perhaps Martin can take a look at what other successful coaches are doing and borrow some of their ideas for creating a potent offense of his own.
Nashvillegoldenflash, you are correct, but all the offensive schemes without good blocking will not work. THE OFFENSIVE LINE will need better footwork, work outs in the weight room to make them stronger, be able to read the defense, COMMUNICATION with each other, and above all a better attitude. The coaching staff should give them a MISSION STATEMENT and stick with it. The basics will get the job done . Every line that blocks running or passing will get first downs for the team. I know these young men have the talent and desire to win. They all came from winning high school programs. They dont like to lose. Put the boys who want it in the line up and Kent WINS. Its a new season, a new attitude, and a new football team.
But read the end of what Mason said. At Kansas, he ran zone plays with one back. From what I could tell listening on the radio, KSU went to this late in the year. But by then, they were on third-string linemen and running backs. Even though, Martin likes to throw the ball. I think we will see a better running game next year. He admitted his two best running backs were not eligible to play a down.