SMU Running Game

[Stallion]

Fields won the Oklahoma 100M and 200M multiple years. I think about 10.47 was his best time

[S....M....U]

In other words, he is very quick

[stc9]

Can someone tell me a little about Zach Line? Understand he is a big back and was used in short yardage situations last year- does he have any speed? Historically, TCU has shut down larger running backs in particular - Bell at Colo State and Gerhart from Stanford immediately come to mind. Do you have any other faster, more shifty backs who have carried the ball this year? If SMU cannot run the ball then I really like TCU's chances in this game.

Good luck tomorrow night....anxious to see a packed house at Ford!

The running game in the Run and Shoot offense is mostly draws and traps. There is very little straight handoffs unless it is in a goaline situation. The running game is designed to keep defensive lines honest so they cannot pin their ears back all day. They must retain a level of discipline. That being said, Line runs fairly well for a big man and is shiftier than you would think. Line will get most of the time because he is the best in the pass protection schemes. Butler, Fields, and Pope all are more elusive in the open field and have better straight line speed. Fields and Pope are Freshmen, so I don't see them getting a lot of time.

[S....M....U]

I think line is surprisingly quick and shifty for his size. I know he gets his yardage by breaking tackles and running over people. But it seems like when he wants to he makes some great cuts and turns on the boosters.

[Stallion]

just keep in mind SMU got about 18 yards total rushing last year even with McNeil. Think he really only had 1 decent run

[Pony_Law]

I don't think Line needs to have a huge game just put us into managble situations

[ponydawg]

but shawnbrey did have 3 catches for 70 yards and a TD. 2 where shuffle/shovel passes.

[S....M....U]

All he's gotta do is open up the passing game for us with a few nice runs.

[StallionsModelT]

I want to see some of Fields in this game.

[SMUBaller]

Please Daryl --- run hard but hang on to the football !

[Glenn Sosbee]

Think Mike Alstott. He surprisingly cant hit the hole, and shows a pretty quick step for a back his size. He's averaging 7.7 ypc. (36 carries, 276), which shocks me because you would normally consider a kid that size a guy who will pound it on 3rd/4th 1-2.

Daryl Fields, a freshman, is another back you should know about. He returns kicks for now, sprinkled in with a few rushes. Down the road, this kid is going to be a game changer. (4.3 ypc)

Finally, senior Chris Butler has started to get a few touches. He can be dangerous in the open field.

To hell with down the road, Fields role must be expanded Friday night. He's already proven that he can be an explosive player. I remember what Demyron Martin did against the Frogs a few years ago and we'll need a similar performance out of Daryl Fields. Throw him in the fire.

[PonyTime]

Agreed about Fields and the early departure of McNeil ...

I wanted to have a "Shawnbrey, Fields Forever" sign at this game...

[Charleston Pony]

the biggest difference I've seen in Line from last year to this year is that he seems to have developed more quickness and lateral agility; he's hitting the gaps quickly and gets moving north and south with determination