Should Ryan Mathews Give Hokie Fans Hope vs. Boise State?
by furrer4heisman on Aug 9, 2010 8:00 AM EDT
Email
Print
Boise State finished 28th in the country in rush defense, allowing 120.4 yards per game last year. This was despite facing four of the top eight rushing offenses in terms of yards per game. They played very well against the spread offenses of Oregon and TCU, but gave up big games against Nevada's pistol and Fresno State's conventional running attack.
Fresno State was explosive against Boise as you can see by Ryan Mathews' three rushing touchdowns of 60 yards or more. Those three carries accounted for 197 yards as finished with 239 yards on 19 carries.
Mathews was the best traditional running back Boise faced during its 14-0 season last year. The 6-0, 218 pound back was taken 12th over in the NFL Draft by San Diego led the country in yards per game with 150.67. He was able to gash through the Boise defense on those three plays to help get Fresno back in the game after falling behind 24-3.
If he was able to have a performance like that against the Broncos, could Ryan Williams do the same? While Mathews is a bit more of a power back, his ability to read the line of scrimmage and break tackles remind me of how Williams runs.
Williams is perfectly capable of breaking of the kind of runs Mathews did last September. But is that the kind of game we want to see? Mathews gained over 80 percent of his yards on three carries but averaged only 2.6 yards on his other 16 carries with a long of eight. In order to beat Boise, the Hokies will need to control the ball better than Fresno did in its 51-34 loss.
Boise State's defense is tough. It proved that against Oregon, TCU and really every team it faced last season. But even the Broncos' talented D was susceptible to a traditional, power running attack. That could mean good things for Williams and however he gets I think we'll be happy with the result if he finishes the game with 239 yards.
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Stop giving me more reasons
I’m starting to feel way too confident about this game. I’m used to the low expectations→never disappointed approach, but its feeling different this time around.
Agreed...
It’s funny, my opinion on the game is starting to change as well. I’ve had real low expecations the past few months, but for some reason, perhaps because of early word out of fall practice or maybe some other reason, I’m starting to feel pretty good about the Boise State game.
Still, I’m trying to keep my expecations low.
You guys are drifting to the dark side
We have to believe that Tech will lose this game. That is the Hokie way. We’ve choked way too many games that were more winnable than this to start getting confident about Boise State…
we've also...
won games that were less winnable. I’m not confident that we’ll win, but… optimistic.
DEFINITELY!
In fact, from my (biased) perspective, I think the Evans/Williams combo is the only thing that will give VaTech this game. From what I’ve seen with Tyrod, he doesn’t exactly play well against big game opponents. If Williams takes a big chunk of yards out of the Boise D 1-2 times, it will leave the same avenue open for Evans (Fresno had another 20+ rush from their backup RB, too). I know some Hokie fans are not optimistic about their chances if Beamer runs, runs, and runs and maybe passes, but I think the run game is the secret to opening up the VaTech playbook on Boise’s defense.
Run, Williams, run.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
It's not just the running game
As the running game + heat/humidity. If the Broncos don’t get off to a big lead and force them to pass, then I fear that powerful Va Tech running game and the weather wearing down the D line.
We want to build a university our football team can be proud of. -- Dr. George Lynn Cross
by marktgarten on Aug 10, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
As both a VT AND a Chargers fan
I sincerely hope so.
Far more concerned about our D than O.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
We're as nervous about this as you in Boise
Guys, this is going to be a great game. I’m a VT fan and it is a shame that one of the two teams will be verbally clobbered by the press and fan bases regardless of who wins. This BSU fan will be pulling for VT to win the ACC even if Boise State loses.
P.S. That Fresno State footage was hard enough to watch the first time around. See some of you at FedEx.
BOISE STATE FANATIC
My favorite ACC team has been VT for years.
I too am worried about both of VT’’s RB’s. That rushing attack is no joke, and Boise State’s tackling is going to have to be great to have a chance. I also have a great deal of respect for VT’s special teams, that is my favorite part of VT football. Blocked kicks- Boise State better prepare for it, or it could get ugly. Coach Beamer is a class act, and always has the Hokies playing hard. I hope the Hokies win all their games, but one ;)
"Boise State football is now a Fargo winter. You know what's coming, and that information does you no good whatsoever". Matt James / The Fresno Bee
Reliving Matthews' runs by watching Williams do the same is not my idea of fun.
Therefore, this cannot happen, because I will be watching it in person and doling out a ton of cash on this trip back east. I will have a few days of sightseeing afterward, and I don’t want to be all depressed taking in the sights of our nation’s capital for the first time. I’m back and forth almost on a daily basis on whether we win this or lose it. I think it will be close either way. Much respect for VT, and looking forward to an amazing experience. We better stop Williams and Evans.
by Boise State of Mind on Aug 10, 2010 8:24 AM EDT reply actions
VT running game
Will definitely have a successful outing. Both Williams and Evans have established themselves as a “steam roller” type run game. But guys, the majority of the VT defense is not sound. What happens when there is a team with a major offensive prowess but lacks in the D? They lose the big games. Go Blue!
I dunno about that
All reports out of practice is our D is lighter and faster than last years D, they may be unproven but it’s mostly just reloading, Defenses on teams in the South East US are alot more physical and faster than the West coast defenses Boise is used to playing, i think you’ll be quite suprised at how our D performs, I think Boises record against teams from the East US (0-5?) shows that they will struggle against our D, expecially if True Fresh Nick Acre get fluid enough to contribute this year, that kid is the Hulk, 6’0 300+ they say he will be the next Ndamakong Suh
Yeah, when it comes to Frank Beamer-coached teams...
The defense and the special teams aren’t really the concern almost ever. They’ll be ready for the Broncos.
Boise State will have to bring their A+ game if they want to walk out with a win. I think, more than defensive concerns, Boise State’s primary hope rests on Tyrod Taylor making a few more mistakes than normal.
The Hokies are a solid team all around. Boise State will be fighting from moment one to win this game. Any Bronco fans who think we’ll just waltz into their home turf and pick apart their defense due to some graduated players being gone is probably going to be very disappointed. Virginia Tech will be fired up and ready for our Broncos. Thinking otherwise is very unwise.
by Spyder Mayhem on Aug 10, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
BSU has a LOT riding on this game
If nerves are a factor, then I’d have to say that Boise has more pressure on them to win this game than VT. Boise is out to make a statement …. that they’re a strong enough team to play for a nat’l championship.
FWIW – I think the BCS is a buncha crap, but until a fair system is put into place (playoffs) the pressure will be on them to prove themselves.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
Mathews - Once in a Lifetime Player
Obviously, Mathews is a special player. Would the Chargers have moved up to 12 to draft him if he wasn’t? Honestly, I can’t really evaluate the premise of Williams vs. Mathews, because I haven’t seen Williams. Mathews has it all: power, speed, agility, balance. He reminds me of the clips of Jim Brown that I have seen. I would bet a c note that Williams would not gain 239 against Boise’s D.
by Fresno_Bulldogs on Aug 12, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions
A little Secert for you to ponder
I know you guys love Frank, hell I love Frank he’s a solid coach.
However Coach Pete of BSU is all together a different beast.
As an avid fan of BSU I fully expected to blow out Fresno State and in the end we did, however there were those 3 big runs, then the Nev game again a blowout but large rushing was again given up. I was miffed by it and during those games at time frustrated. Later however after the BCS game we learned that BSU’s defense started to slowly put in a new packages, a piece here a piece there never the whole and played complete game doing this why you ask? Simply because as they showed in the BCS game a completely new defense for just that game catching TCU completely by surprise and befuddled resulting in a victory that only BSU faithful believed possible.
My point is this coach Pete took advantage of the fact he was playing weaker opponents to have game day rehearsals of what he would eventually unleashed against TCU.
I will admit this much BSU will win sept 3rd not because it has better individually players, but because Coach Pete is just that good ! No knock against Frank. Sparky Anderson was a hell of a manager, but in the end he was stuck to the old ways and wouldn’t shift his infield nor adjust. Thankfully there is not many coaches out there like coach Pete.
I saw a lot of missed tackles
In that game Ryan Mathews had 19 carries for 234 yds averaging 12.3 per carry. Take away those 3 runs and he had 16 carries for 37 yds averaging 2.3 a carry….not very good. I think VT is going to have to move the ball in the air to be successful on offense.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Gobbler Country
Related FanShots on Gobbler Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
