Mississippi State’s Running Back Problem

Personnel decisions have been been a huge issue with the running backs.

Here’s an example…

Against South Carolina, Mullen called two between the tackle runs with Holloway in goal to go situations from inside the five yard line. The first down play lost a yard. Now here’s the video of the 3rd down play….

There’s no doubt the defensive player got to him quickly – but that’s what happens in goal line situations. And since Holloway goes down on first contact there’s not much chance of him making it into the endzone. Even with poor blocking up front, you should still be able to score with the right back in the game.

You could make an argument that Brandon Holloway should get the ball occasionally to run up the middle because if he finds a seam he could easily gain 10 yards before being touched. But at the goal line there is no argument that could be made. You only need a couple of yards, so you put in your 235 pound bruiser (Ashton Shumpert) to put his head down and push into the endzone.

In all of his carries during his MSU career – which I’ve seen every single one at least three times – I believe Holloway has broken one tackle. He’s strong for his size, but he’s going against guys who are 250-300 pounds and they are strong for their size.

There’s a time to put in your scat back. There’s a time to put in your bruiser. There’s a time to put in your all-purpose back. So on and so forth.