ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

What’s the deal with ASU’s running game?

Nov 22, 2011, 7:20 PM | Updated: 7:22 pm

Remember Cameron Marshall running through holes the size
of the Grand Canyon in a 48-14 win over Colorado? In that
game, Marshall paced the Sun Devils’ rushing attack with
114 yards on just 15 carries and found the end zone three
times. Marshall then continued his stellar play the
following week, racking up a career-high 168 yards in
Pasadena in a 29-28 loss to UCLA.

Since then, Marshall and the ASU running game have been
absent. In a tight game in Pullman, the junior averaged
just 2.3 yards per attempt and ASU ran for only 60 yards
against Washington State–a team that had allowed a 100-
yard rusher in seven straight games. After shutting down
Marshall, Washington State then yielded 186 yards rushing
to Utah’s John White IV.

But things didn’t get any better on the ground for ASU
against Arizona. In a game in which the Sun Devils were
tied or had the lead for 67.1% of the game action, somehow
ASU ran the ball only 23 times while throwing it 65.
Marshall again wasn’t effective, gaining only 2.3 yards
per carry.

One explanation could be Marshall’s health. He’s been
bothered by an ankle injury for most of the season, but
hasn’t missed any games to this point. College coaches
aren’t usually very verbose when it comes to talking about
player injuries, so maybe Marshall’s injury is worse than
what has been discussed.

But a lot of that responsibility has to do with the play
calling of offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. Before the
Arizona game, ASU had run the ball 47.9% of the time all
season, and then just 26.1% of the time against U of A.

California is stout in defending the run. Clancy
Pendergast’s defense ranks fourth in the Pac-12 and 26th
nationally, yielding just 122.8 yards per game. Only
LaMichael James of Oregon had over 100 yards rushing
against Cal this year (he had 239), so it will be tough
sledding for ASU.

But there’s got to be a concerted effort to move the ball
on the ground if it’s a close game.

If there’s another 30-70 run to pass split on Friday, it
will spell trouble for the Sun Devils.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

ASU QB Drew Pyne (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...

Wills Rice

ASU-USC preview: Sun Devils quarterback Drew Pyne to start vs. No. 5 Trojans

Arizona State will start QB Drew Pyne under center as the team tries to upset likely No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and No. 5 USC.

5 hours ago

Deion Sanders...

Associated Press

Pac-12 lookahead: Colorado takes on Oregon at Autzen in battle of the unbeatens

The Pac-12 has three Top 25 matchups in the same week for the first time. No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon tops the bill.

19 hours ago

Drew Pyne, Arizona State football quarterback...

Kellan Olson

Arizona State QB Drew Pyne likely to return, Trenton Bourguet doubtful

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Drew Pyne is likely to return on Saturday while Trenton Bourguet is doubtful.

3 days ago

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado vs. Colorado State set TV ratings records for ESPN...

Associated Press

Colorado-Colorado State sets TV record as most-watched ESPN late game in history

Colorado's victory against Colorado State drew 9.3 million viewers. It is the most-watched late-night college football game ever on ESPN.

3 days ago

ASU Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, Fresno State at Arizona State September 18, 2023 (Jeremy Schnell/A...

Jesse Morrison

State of the Sun Devils podcast: Arizona State football shut out at home by Fresno State

On the latest edition of the podcast, Jeremy Schnell and Jesse Morrison react to Arizona State's 29-0 loss to Fresno State on Saturday.

4 days ago

ASU QB Jacob Conover, Fresno State at Arizona State September 18, 2023 (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Spor...

Wills Rice

Injury-stricken ASU football welcomes Caleb Williams, USC

ASU football has plenty of questions revolving the roster, starting at quarterback before welcoming Caleb Williams and No. 5 USC to Tempe.

4 days ago

What’s the deal with ASU’s running game?