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August 30, 2016For the previous three seasons, and especially in 2015, the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to lean on running back Ezekiel Elliott to carry the load. No matter who the quarterback was, head coach Urban Meyer and the rest of the coaching staff were able to give the ball to Zeke in any type of situation, knowing that he would be successful. Without No. 15 in 2016, Meyer is hoping for a more balanced offensive attack this season, one that will utilize all of the team’s weapons both in the backfield and on the outside, as he explained in Monday’s press conference.
“We’ll know more obviously Saturday but we have depth at receiver. We have a returning quarterback that understands what we’re trying to do. And at the end of the day it’s 250 (yards passing), 250 (rushing) is perfect.”
In the final two games last season — wins over Michigan and Notre Dame — the scarlet and gray were very run-heavy. Whether it was quarterback J.T. Barrett or Elliott, the Buckeyes ran the ball much more than they threw. In fact, Zeke (57 carries) and Barrett (42) totaled 99 carries while the gunslinger only threw the ball 46 times in the final two games of the season.
While Zeke is now in Dallas and the team is now leaning on redshirt freshman running back Mike Weber to carry the load this season, the head coach also wants to be able to use the entire field this season as well. With so many young, unproven playmakers all over the field along with players like Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown, and Dontre Wilson, Meyer is using his best interests in wanting to get the ball all over the field this year.
Offensive coordinator Ed Warinner also realizes that they must use as many of their skilled athletes as possible, leading to a more balanced attack.
“We’re really striving to be balanced because we have a great group of receivers and skilled athletes, tight ends as well that we’d love to have some balance. I think that’s what we want our identity to be is to No. 1 play fast, be physical and be very balanced … We have the tools and the players to do that. That’s going to really be our objective.”
Things may change at times depending on the situation, opponent, weather, and game flow, but the Buckeyes are prepared to be much more balanced on offense this season than they were in 2015.
“We’ve had some close to (250 rushing, 250 passing),” Meyer said. “but last year it was imbalanced and we have to be very balanced.”
The No. 6 ranked Buckeyes begin their 2016 campaign Saturday afternoon against the Bowling Green State Falcons. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
4 Comments
You know, that first paragraph pisses me off. Mainly because of the Michigan State game. It will be a while before I can let that one go. Everyone knows Feed Zeke. Don’t know why he was not used more.
I’d like more balance, too. 15-0 seems to be about the right balance.
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