Don't blame Robert Anae

[SWC75]

There's a growing feeling that the problems with our running game stem from the fact that OC Robert Anae "is a BYU guy" who doesn't know how to run a running offense. I decided to check his resume, which is on Cuse.com:

- Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

cuse.com

He was an offensive line coach from 1992-2012 and also the "running game coordinator" at UNLV in 1998 and Arizona in 2011. Then he became Bronco Mendehall's OC at BYU in 2013 and moved with him to Virginia in 2016. I looked up those team's numbers on Sports Reference.com:

UNLV stunk in 1998, going 0-11. But Anae's top two running backs averaged 4.7 and 5.2 yards per carry.
Arizona was bad in 2011, going 4-8 but Anae's two top running backs averaged 4.5 and 4.7.
BYU was a powerful rushing team in 2013 with Tayson Hill running for 1,344 at 5.5 per carry and Jamall Williams 1,233 at 5.7. Two other running backs averaged 5.9 and another 4.9. 2013 Brigham Young Cougars Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
In 2014 their rushing numbers declined but were still potent. The top two guys were 4.8 and 5.3 with other RBs at 4.6, 4.8 and 6.2.
In 2015 The top three guys were 5.6, 5.1 and 6.4.
At UVA in 2016, Taquan Mizzell ran for 940 yards at 5.0 a carry. His back-up was 4.9
In 2017 Jordan Ellis ran for 836 yards at 3.9 a carry. He was basically the whole conventional running game as the next leading rusher was hybrid WR/RB Olamide Zaccheaus, who averaged 6.7 on 27 carries but caught a team-leading 85 passes.
In 2018, Ellis ran for 1,036 at 4.8 a crack and QB Bryce Perkins ran for 923 at 4.4: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
That seems like a template for our offense.
In 2019, Perkins led in rushing with 739 (3.4 - keep in mind it includes sacks). Anae's top five RBs averaged 4.1, 5.4, 5.3, 4.9 and 5.3.
2020 was the same story with Brennan Armstrong leading with 552 yards (4.4) and the next four guys were 4.5, 5.1, 6.8 and 6.0.
in 2021 Armstrong had the most carries but only averaged 2.6 so the leading runner was Wayne Taulapapa with just 324 yards at 5.2. The net three guys were 4.3, 6.3 and 7.4. Armstrong threw the ball 500 times for 4,449 yards and 31 scores and was sacked 40 times.

My conclusion is that Robert Anae can set up whatever offense his talent requires and that our problems running the ball this year are thus not his fault.

​

 

[hoopsupstate]

I’m not sure our current offensive line coach should get a free pass.

 

[Ragman2000]

There's a growing feeling that the problems with our running game stem from the fact that OC Robert Anae "is a BYU guy" who doesn't know how to run a running offense. I decided to check his resume, which is on Cuse.com:

- Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

cuse.com

He was an offensive line coach from 1992-2012 and also the "running game coordinator" at UNLV in 1998 and Arizona in 2011. Then he became Bronco Mendehall's OC at BYU in 2013 and moved with him to Virginia in 2016. I looked up those team's numbers on Sports Reference.com:

UNLV stunk in 1998, going 0-11. But Anae's top two running backs averaged 4.7 and 5.2 yards per carry.
Arizona was bad in 2011, going 4-8 but Anae's two top running backs averaged 4.5 and 4.7.
BYU was a powerful rushing team in 2013 with Tayson Hill running for 1,344 at 5.5 per carry and Jamall Williams 1,233 at 5.7. Two other running backs averaged 5.9 and another 4.9. 2013 Brigham Young Cougars Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
In 2014 their rushing numbers declined but were still potent. The top two guys were 4.8 and 5.3 with other RBs at 4.6, 4.8 and 6.2.
In 2015 The top three guys were 5.6, 5.1 and 6.4.
At UVA in 2016, Taquan Mizzell ran for 940 yards at 5.0 a carry. His back-up was 4.9
In 2017 Jordan Ellis ran for 836 yards at 3.9 a carry. He was basically the whole conventional running game as the next leading rusher was hybrid WR/RB Olamide Zaccheaus, who averaged 6.7 on 27 carries but caught a team-leading 85 passes.
In 2018, Ellis ran for 1,036 at 4.8 a crack and QB Bryce Perkins ran for 923 at 4.4: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
That seems like a template for our offense.
In 2019, Perkins led in rushing with 739 (3.4 - keep in mind it includes sacks). Anae's two five RBs averaged 4.1, 5.4, 5.3, 4.9 and 5.3.
2020 was the same story with Brennan Armstrong leading with 552 yards (4.4) and the next four guys were 4.5, 5.1, 6.8 and 6.0.
in 2021 Armstrong had the most carries but only averaged 2.6 so the leading runner was Wayne Taulapapa with just 3324 yards at 5.2. The net three guys were 4.3, 6.3 and 7.4. Armstrong threw the ball 500 times for 4,449 yards and 31 scores and was sacked 40 times.

My conclusion is that Robert Anae can set up whatever offense his talent requires and that our problems running the ball this year are thus not his fault.

​

Nice summary of the data from the Professor Emeritus SWC. Thank you sir.

 

[SWC75]

I’m not sure our current offensive line coach should get a free pass.

And he is the same guy we had last year, along with his charges.

I wonder if the "get our best five guys out there and then we'll figure out their positions" scheme is the problem. Would we look or play any different if we had the best LT, the best LG, the best C, the best RG and the best RT, whoever they are, out there?

 

[JeffCuse]

Our running game is stagnating because opposing defenses are selling out to stop it

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Didn't UVA fans warn us about get used to runs up the gut and not much else?

 

[SWC75]

Didn't UVA fans warn us about get used to runs up the gut and not much else?

I've seen sweeps, options and reverses. Anae is trying everything.

 

[Chris02M]

Our running game is stagnating because opposing defenses are selling out to stop it

it isnt just that... tucker is a step slow whether nagging injury or unsure of the holes and our offensive line is not doing a good job blocking for running

 

[SWC75]

Our running game is stagnating because opposing defenses are selling out to stop it

Weren't they doing that last year?

 

[Chris02M]

Weren't they doing that last year?

last year he was able to spring 1 long run per game, this year since Louisville that hasnt been available

 

[Shooter]

I went back and looked at the blocking on a lot of our running plays (both bad and okay) from the Virginia game, and to me it seems its a combination of several things. Our TE/FBs are not holding blocks (Mang can't seem to find anybody to block on some plays), Gadsen is not great at blocking in the backfield, vettorello struggles to get push, but I think most apparent was that on most plays where tucker only got a yard or two the Virginia defense had 7 or 8 guys coming downhill to stop the run.

That being said, the offensive line appeared to execute blocks fairly well, but just couldn't overcome the things mentioned above.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I'm pretty confident that Anae can engineer an effective running game, if he feels that gives him the best chance to have a winning offense.

If we didn't have a star like Tucker at RB I'd be totally fine with abandoning the run, embracing the Dome, and just passing all the time.

 

[Orijinal]

This team is going to have to run the ball if Gadsden continues to be the only consistent receiving threat

Isaiah Jones was a huge loss

 

[HtownOrange]

There's a growing feeling that the problems with our running game stem from the fact that OC Robert Anae "is a BYU guy" who doesn't know how to run a running offense. I decided to check his resume, which is on Cuse.com:

- Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

cuse.com

He was an offensive line coach from 1992-2012 and also the "running game coordinator" at UNLV in 1998 and Arizona in 2011. Then he became Bronco Mendehall's OC at BYU in 2013 and moved with him to Virginia in 2016. I looked up those team's numbers on Sports Reference.com:

UNLV stunk in 1998, going 0-11. But Anae's top two running backs averaged 4.7 and 5.2 yards per carry.
Arizona was bad in 2011, going 4-8 but Anae's two top running backs averaged 4.5 and 4.7.
BYU was a powerful rushing team in 2013 with Tayson Hill running for 1,344 at 5.5 per carry and Jamall Williams 1,233 at 5.7. Two other running backs averaged 5.9 and another 4.9. 2013 Brigham Young Cougars Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
In 2014 their rushing numbers declined but were still potent. The top two guys were 4.8 and 5.3 with other RBs at 4.6, 4.8 and 6.2.
In 2015 The top three guys were 5.6, 5.1 and 6.4.
At UVA in 2016, Taquan Mizzell ran for 940 yards at 5.0 a carry. His back-up was 4.9
In 2017 Jordan Ellis ran for 836 yards at 3.9 a carry. He was basically the whole conventional running game as the next leading rusher was hybrid WR/RB Olamide Zaccheaus, who averaged 6.7 on 27 carries but caught a team-leading 85 passes.
In 2018, Ellis ran for 1,036 at 4.8 a crack and QB Bryce Perkins ran for 923 at 4.4: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
That seems like a template for our offense.
In 2019, Perkins led in rushing with 739 (3.4 - keep in mind it includes sacks). Anae's two five RBs averaged 4.1, 5.4, 5.3, 4.9 and 5.3.
2020 was the same story with Brennan Armstrong leading with 552 yards (4.4) and the next four guys were 4.5, 5.1, 6.8 and 6.0.
in 2021 Armstrong had the most carries but only averaged 2.6 so the leading runner was Wayne Taulapapa with just 3324 yards at 5.2. The net three guys were 4.3, 6.3 and 7.4. Armstrong threw the ball 500 times for 4,449 yards and 31 scores and was sacked 40 times.

My conclusion is that Robert Anae can set up whatever offense his talent requires and that our problems running the ball this year are thus not his fault.

​

Thanks for the research. That data indicates he is not hindering Tucker. The play calling indicates he is not hindering Tucker. This also supports the idea that Tucker is not at 100% Tucker. Still very dangerous, more so because Anae is using him out of the backfield (which will increase his NFL value), but 100% Tucker as we have grown accustomed to Tucker.

 

[OrangeAl]

I just don't see those situations where Tucker gets outside the tackle with one defender running parallel to him. Those are his home run plays.

 

[Orijinal]

Here's what I think is happening:

Schmidt proved last year he was excellent at developing a run blocking game. He had proven this before even coming to Syracuse. And Gilbert rode him all season

In comes Anae. I'm betting he had Schmidt change his blocking techniques to make sure pass protection was better. Now pass protection is much improved and run blocking is a struggle. This, combined with defenses selling out, has led to the ground game taking a step back

 

[TheHaze315]

Our running game is stagnating because opposing defenses are selling out to stop it

You don’t think they were selling out to stop it last year?

 

[Cusefan69]

I’m not sure our current offensive line coach should get a free pass.

Disagree. His results were clearly displayed last year. The problem is people try and make it a singular issue. I think there's multiple elements in play between having a new center this year, new blocking schemes, teams loading the box, perhaps different line calls, etc.

 

[PhatOrange]

I've seen sweeps, options and reverses. Anae is trying everything.

Some stretch plays with guards pulling would be nice to see. Have we run anything like that this season ‘ cause I don’t recall and we ran a lot of that stuff last year

 

[kcsu]

There's a growing feeling that the problems with our running game stem from the fact that OC Robert Anae "is a BYU guy" who doesn't know how to run a running offense. I decided to check his resume, which is on Cuse.com:

- Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

cuse.com

He was an offensive line coach from 1992-2012 and also the "running game coordinator" at UNLV in 1998 and Arizona in 2011. Then he became Bronco Mendehall's OC at BYU in 2013 and moved with him to Virginia in 2016. I looked up those team's numbers on Sports Reference.com:

UNLV stunk in 1998, going 0-11. But Anae's top two running backs averaged 4.7 and 5.2 yards per carry.
Arizona was bad in 2011, going 4-8 but Anae's two top running backs averaged 4.5 and 4.7.
BYU was a powerful rushing team in 2013 with Tayson Hill running for 1,344 at 5.5 per carry and Jamall Williams 1,233 at 5.7. Two other running backs averaged 5.9 and another 4.9. 2013 Brigham Young Cougars Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
In 2014 their rushing numbers declined but were still potent. The top two guys were 4.8 and 5.3 with other RBs at 4.6, 4.8 and 6.2.
In 2015 The top three guys were 5.6, 5.1 and 6.4.
At UVA in 2016, Taquan Mizzell ran for 940 yards at 5.0 a carry. His back-up was 4.9
In 2017 Jordan Ellis ran for 836 yards at 3.9 a carry. He was basically the whole conventional running game as the next leading rusher was hybrid WR/RB Olamide Zaccheaus, who averaged 6.7 on 27 carries but caught a team-leading 85 passes.
In 2018, Ellis ran for 1,036 at 4.8 a crack and QB Bryce Perkins ran for 923 at 4.4: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
That seems like a template for our offense.
In 2019, Perkins led in rushing with 739 (3.4 - keep in mind it includes sacks). Anae's two five RBs averaged 4.1, 5.4, 5.3, 4.9 and 5.3.
2020 was the same story with Brennan Armstrong leading with 552 yards (4.4) and the next four guys were 4.5, 5.1, 6.8 and 6.0.
in 2021 Armstrong had the most carries but only averaged 2.6 so the leading runner was Wayne Taulapapa with just 3324 yards at 5.2. The net three guys were 4.3, 6.3 and 7.4. Armstrong threw the ball 500 times for 4,449 yards and 31 scores and was sacked 40 times.

My conclusion is that Robert Anae can set up whatever offense his talent requires and that our problems running the ball this year are thus not his fault.

​

Vet is weak and we miss Rhino big time

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Some stretch plays with guards pulling would be nice to see. Have we run any of things like that this season ‘ cause I don’t recall and we ran a lot of that stuff last year

The majority of runs are right up the gut. That isn't what our OL does well. That isn't what Tucker does well. Our OL hasn't been able to get a push since 2012. Tucker is better off cutting back or bouncing it. He isn't a bulldozer.

 

[kcsu]

Tucker is hurt. Vet is a major drop off at center, Rhino is not replaceable. Tucker should play next week. actually, any kid that isn't 100 percent shouldn't play. Rest Tuck and the others and come back healthy after the break

 

[HtownOrange]

The majority of runs are right up the gut. That isn't what our OL does well. That isn't what Tucker does well. Our OL hasn't been able to get a push since 2012. Tucker is better off cutting back or bouncing it. He isn't a bulldozer.

While agree running up the gut is not our most effective use of Tucker for yards, it has the effect of keeping 8 defenders in the box, opening up the field for the passing game. Anae is using Tucker as much as a decoy as he is for yardage.

I also agree that blocking is off for Tucker or he is playing with a nagging injury, missing his trademark explosiveness. Regardless, Tucker is making defenses pay for committing to stopping him. Once he is back to 100%, it's game over, Tucker will have his revenge.

 

[Willy75]

Tucker’s twisting catch on the last drive was an exceptional play.

 

[BillSU]

There's a growing feeling that the problems with our running game stem from the fact that OC Robert Anae "is a BYU guy" who doesn't know how to run a running offense. I decided to check his resume, which is on Cuse.com:

- Football Coach - Syracuse University Athletics

cuse.com

He was an offensive line coach from 1992-2012 and also the "running game coordinator" at UNLV in 1998 and Arizona in 2011. Then he became Bronco Mendehall's OC at BYU in 2013 and moved with him to Virginia in 2016. I looked up those team's numbers on Sports Reference.com:

UNLV stunk in 1998, going 0-11. But Anae's top two running backs averaged 4.7 and 5.2 yards per carry.
Arizona was bad in 2011, going 4-8 but Anae's two top running backs averaged 4.5 and 4.7.
BYU was a powerful rushing team in 2013 with Tayson Hill running for 1,344 at 5.5 per carry and Jamall Williams 1,233 at 5.7. Two other running backs averaged 5.9 and another 4.9. 2013 Brigham Young Cougars Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
In 2014 their rushing numbers declined but were still potent. The top two guys were 4.8 and 5.3 with other RBs at 4.6, 4.8 and 6.2.
In 2015 The top three guys were 5.6, 5.1 and 6.4.
At UVA in 2016, Taquan Mizzell ran for 940 yards at 5.0 a carry. His back-up was 4.9
In 2017 Jordan Ellis ran for 836 yards at 3.9 a carry. He was basically the whole conventional running game as the next leading rusher was hybrid WR/RB Olamide Zaccheaus, who averaged 6.7 on 27 carries but caught a team-leading 85 passes.
In 2018, Ellis ran for 1,036 at 4.8 a crack and QB Bryce Perkins ran for 923 at 4.4: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
That seems like a template for our offense.
In 2019, Perkins led in rushing with 739 (3.4 - keep in mind it includes sacks). Anae's top five RBs averaged 4.1, 5.4, 5.3, 4.9 and 5.3.
2020 was the same story with Brennan Armstrong leading with 552 yards (4.4) and the next four guys were 4.5, 5.1, 6.8 and 6.0.
in 2021 Armstrong had the most carries but only averaged 2.6 so the leading runner was Wayne Taulapapa with just 324 yards at 5.2. The net three guys were 4.3, 6.3 and 7.4. Armstrong threw the ball 500 times for 4,449 yards and 31 scores and was sacked 40 times.

My conclusion is that Robert Anae can set up whatever offense his talent requires and that our problems running the ball this year are thus not his fault.

​

Then he better do it, otherwise an All American running back is going to be wasting his time here.