SWC75
Bored Historian
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- Aug 26, 2011
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Again, I compiled the stats on the quarterbacks, the top running backs and the top two pass receivers for last year’s Top 25 teams and averaged them. (Those players are most of your offense), so I could compare them to what SU’s players in the same positions are projected to do this year to see we have “the look” of a Top 25 team in these key positions. I realize that other things are relevant, too, but when we are a top 25 we should see stats similar to this, (perhaps better):
The average quarterback of a top 25 team in 2011 completed 259 of 402 passes, (64.4%) for 3,281 yards, (12.74 per completion and 8.2 per attempt) for 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. (Note: where players shared a position or one player replaced another during the season, I added their numbers together).
The average top running back of a Top 25 team carried the ball 253 times for 1373 yards, (5.4 per carry) and 14 touchdowns.
The average top receiver of a Top 25 team caught 64 passes for 968 yards (15.1 per catch) and 9 touchdowns. The average second best receiver caught 52 balls for 685 yards, (13.2) and 6 TDs.
Ryan Nassib has competed 226 of 357 passes (63.3%) for 2773 yards, (12.3 per completion and 7.8 per attempt) for 18TDs and 8 interceptions, (three on tipped passes but it counts). At this rate he’d have 301 completions in 476 attempts for 3697 yards, 24TDs and 11 interceptions. Last year he averaged 10.4 yards per completion and 6.5 per attempt, so despite perception, he is throwing the ball farther downfield than in past. His attempts, completions and yards are somewhat better than the average Top 25 quarterback and his averages per completion and attempt are comparable. His completion percentage, touchdowns and interceptions have fallen a below that standard but not by much.
His numbers will be SU records except the completion percentage, (Greg Paulus 67.7% in 2009), yards per completion, (Don McPherson 18.1 in 1987) and attempt, (McPherson 10.2, also in 1987). Nassib already holds the records in the other categories, except interceptions, (Dave Warner 16 in 1980).
We’ve reached the point where Jerome Smith is clearly the #1 back so I’m not going to add in Prince-Tyson Gully’s numbers any more to compare him to a Top 25 lead runner. Smith has 146 carries for 731 yards, (5.0 per carry) but just one score. That projects to 195 carries for 975 yards and that one score. That’s far fewer yards and carries than a Top 25 lead back and 1 score is almost embarrassing. But 5.0 yards per carry is pretty solid and he’s getting better.
Marcus Sales has 50 catches for 722 yards, (14.4) and 7 scores. He’s on a pace for 67 catches, 963 yards and 9 TDs. He’s back behind of the pace of Alec Lemon’s record from last year, by one. Lemon now #2 in catches with 44 for 569 yards, (12.9) and 3 scores. He’s on a pace for 59/759/4. Those are decent numbers for a #2 receiver. Jarrod West has 37/523/2 He’s on a pace for 49/697/3. Beckett Wales is 29/315/1 and on a pace for 39/420/1.The performances of our top receivers have been of a Top 25 caliber.
The average quarterback of a top 25 team in 2011 completed 259 of 402 passes, (64.4%) for 3,281 yards, (12.74 per completion and 8.2 per attempt) for 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. (Note: where players shared a position or one player replaced another during the season, I added their numbers together).
The average top running back of a Top 25 team carried the ball 253 times for 1373 yards, (5.4 per carry) and 14 touchdowns.
The average top receiver of a Top 25 team caught 64 passes for 968 yards (15.1 per catch) and 9 touchdowns. The average second best receiver caught 52 balls for 685 yards, (13.2) and 6 TDs.
Ryan Nassib has competed 226 of 357 passes (63.3%) for 2773 yards, (12.3 per completion and 7.8 per attempt) for 18TDs and 8 interceptions, (three on tipped passes but it counts). At this rate he’d have 301 completions in 476 attempts for 3697 yards, 24TDs and 11 interceptions. Last year he averaged 10.4 yards per completion and 6.5 per attempt, so despite perception, he is throwing the ball farther downfield than in past. His attempts, completions and yards are somewhat better than the average Top 25 quarterback and his averages per completion and attempt are comparable. His completion percentage, touchdowns and interceptions have fallen a below that standard but not by much.
His numbers will be SU records except the completion percentage, (Greg Paulus 67.7% in 2009), yards per completion, (Don McPherson 18.1 in 1987) and attempt, (McPherson 10.2, also in 1987). Nassib already holds the records in the other categories, except interceptions, (Dave Warner 16 in 1980).
We’ve reached the point where Jerome Smith is clearly the #1 back so I’m not going to add in Prince-Tyson Gully’s numbers any more to compare him to a Top 25 lead runner. Smith has 146 carries for 731 yards, (5.0 per carry) but just one score. That projects to 195 carries for 975 yards and that one score. That’s far fewer yards and carries than a Top 25 lead back and 1 score is almost embarrassing. But 5.0 yards per carry is pretty solid and he’s getting better.
Marcus Sales has 50 catches for 722 yards, (14.4) and 7 scores. He’s on a pace for 67 catches, 963 yards and 9 TDs. He’s back behind of the pace of Alec Lemon’s record from last year, by one. Lemon now #2 in catches with 44 for 569 yards, (12.9) and 3 scores. He’s on a pace for 59/759/4. Those are decent numbers for a #2 receiver. Jarrod West has 37/523/2 He’s on a pace for 49/697/3. Beckett Wales is 29/315/1 and on a pace for 39/420/1.The performances of our top receivers have been of a Top 25 caliber.
