We've written a lot about USF's rotation of running backs this season, and Bulls coaches have maintained all along that when a running back gets hot, they would stick with him and give him a chance to build on that. Such was the case in the second half of USF's 30-19 win against then-No. 20 West Virginia on Friday night.
In the first half, USF rotated backs on each drive -- Mo Plancher the first, Mike Ford the second, Jamar Taylor the third, which saw him dropped for a safety on his first carry. Taylor took the next series, then Lindsey Lamar the next, with Lamar and Plancher splitting the Bulls' sixth and final series of the half.
And while the Bulls led West Virginia 20-12 at halftime, they did so without much help from their running backs, who totaled 17 yards on 10 carries, with no rush longer than 8 yards.
The rotation continued to open the second half, with Taylor getting the first drive and gaining 2 yards on the first play, with USF going three and out and West Virginia scoring to cut the USF lead to 20-19. Plancher got the next drive, and would wind up carrying the load for the rest of the game.
After gaining 5 yards on a second-and-1 play, Plancher got a carry from the West Virginia 40-yard line and leapt over a defender, breaking loose down the right sideline for a 28-yard gain. It was his longest run of this season, and a yard shy of the longest run by a Bulls running back in 2009. He stayed in, gaining 5 yards on the next play, and two plays later, quarterback B.J. Daniels hit Sterling Griffin for a touchdown and a 27-19 lead.
Plancher came back out on the next drive, gaining 7 and 5 yards for a quick first down -- he would gain at least 5 yards on six consecutive carries over two drives. He stayed in the backfield for the remaining two drives in the game, in the end getting USF's final 14 carries by running backs, good enough to finish with 18 carries for 86 yards. That matched a career-high for carries for Plancher, and the yardage was easily his best in a key game -- his previous high in 12 career games against BCS conference opponents was 47 yards against Cincinnati last season.
USF's strong running -- 189 total yards, thanks to 104 by Daniels -- came against a West Virginia defense that still ranks 14th nationally against the run, allowing 99 yards per game. Before USF's performance, the most rushing yards the Mountaineers had allowed was 123 in a win against Connecticut.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
I've said all along the Plancher has been the most 'consistent' back we have and deserves the most carries. People scream about Ford but he has been hit or miss througout his Bulls career. Has a pinchet to fumble as well.
Just wish when Lamar was in they would give him some decent blocking and get him the ball in space QUICKLY. They always send him up the middle or on a long sweep instead of a quick toss sweep, screen pass or line him up in the slot for a quick pass.
Posted by: gobulls32 | November 03, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I could live with an RB rotation if it seemed like there were any rhyme or reason to it. The changes, when USF makes them, just seem random.
Posted by: Gary S. | November 02, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I was relieved to see Plancher get most of the carries, heck I would have been relieved to see Lamar get the majority of the carries as long as someone did. Rotating 4 guys is absolutely insane. I like Kelly in as a blocking back, but I'd use Fordin that position as well, because it would give the D another thing to worry about, because Kelly hasn't touched the ball all year.
We did...I replayed the game and we had a few new formations that we previously hadn't used this season. We did a few offset I formations with Kelly and Ford as the blocking backs for Mo and BJ. We also ran a few 2 reciever sets from it, which was pretty cool to see. Keep mixin it up coachces.
Posted by: Gobulls03 | November 02, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Jemal, Murphy was in the starting lineup as part of the nickel defense. When USF went to a base 4-3 defense, he moved to cornerback for most of the game.
Posted by: G.A. | November 02, 2009 at 08:24 PM
They played a discipline game with few penalties, no interceptions, and made every field goal. Had they done this a few weeks ago, there might have been a chance for the Big East title.
Posted by: USF Fan | November 02, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Did anybody else notice that we got fewer penalties possibly due to the fact that Murphy wasn't starting at corner? We had two talented CBs with limited experience and they were taking care of business and playing smart ball. Not to mention they're both extremely fast. I don't think I saw Murphy come in until one of them got hurt and taken out some time in the second half. Any news on that GA? Wasn't sure if he came back in or not.
Posted by: Jemal | November 02, 2009 at 04:34 PM
I was relieved to see Plancher get most of the carries, heck I would have been relieved to see Lamar get the majority of the carries as long as someone did. Rotating 4 guys is absolutely insane. I like Kelly in as a blocking back, but I'd use Fordin that position as well, because it would give the D another thing to worry about, because Kelly hasn't touched the ball all year.
Posted by: Doitonemoretime | November 02, 2009 at 12:45 PM
GA,
I'd like to think the coaches settled with one back on their own but it is odd that they came up with this after you pointed out the Taylor situation vs. Pitt. Leavitt even said he didn't see them committing to one guy.
Coincidence....maybe. Either way, I'm happy to see it.
Posted by: Rich | November 02, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Rich, I'm sure USF's coaches were aware of the success of the rotation without us having to hear us ask about it. Thanks for thinking the media had a role in it, but I think that's unlikely.
Posted by: G.A. | November 02, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Has my opinion of the Jim changed because of the WV game, absolutely not!
Posted by: Done with the Jim | November 02, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Done with the Jim has been busy this week...
Posted by: Done with the Jim | November 02, 2009 at 10:36 AM
"Done with the Jim" has been very quiet this week...
Posted by: Mr. Snrub | November 02, 2009 at 10:33 AM
The running was good, but the biggest reason that USF won this game was DISCIPLINED DEFENSE with NOOOOO silly PENALTIES!
If they can play like that on a consistant basis... I like their chances against any team in the country.
Posted by: Jxenik | November 02, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Wasn't sure if Mo was the correct feature back but was relieved to see an attempt at giving someone multiple carries. Enjoyed his spin moves (reminded me a little of Barry Sanders).
Posted by: Cat | November 02, 2009 at 10:10 AM
That was the best running by Mo I have ever seen him have. He really gave a great effort and it paid off.
Posted by: Richard Todd | November 02, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Greg,
I think we have you and the other reporters to thank for this. Those questions last week forced Leavitt to realize what was going on. I hope they continue to give the #1 a majority of the carries. Thanks.
Posted by: Rich | November 02, 2009 at 09:27 AM
"Looks like a double standard."
Posted by: Bill | November 02, 2009 at 08:41 AM
--------
Welcome to Leavittball!!
Posted by: Done with the Jim | November 02, 2009 at 09:02 AM
While I was glad to see Mo play well on Friday, this doesn't make sense to me. Plancher does good and gets rewarded by staying in the game. Ford in previous games has done good and gets rewarded by warming the bench. Looks like a double standard.
Posted by: Bill | November 02, 2009 at 08:41 AM
this is the first time they've stuck with an RB. I'll believe it's real change when I see them do it a few more times.
I still think giving Taylor his first action of the night out of the end zone was ridiculous. Yes, the blocking was terrible but giving the ball to a guy who hasn't had a few carries to adjust to the speed of the defense is nuts. At least it wasn't Lamar though.
Posted by: bob | November 02, 2009 at 08:40 AM
While Placher is clearly not our most talented back, I really dont care who plays as long as they stick with one guy and let him find a rhythm. Im done trying to figure out what Leavitt is doing with the RB's...
Posted by: jg233 | November 02, 2009 at 02:14 AM
Go, Mo, Go! That double spin move was great, even if it only netted 4 yards
Posted by: BC | November 02, 2009 at 12:40 AM
I'm definately one who has griped about the rb situation. i agree...a rotation is okay, but at least get them into the flow. (For instance, Ford will get one carry in a 3 and out series, and then will sit for the half. How does one determine if he's "got it" that night?) Having said that, even though I haven't been a Plancher fan, "you go boy!" he showed me some crazy skills i hadn't seen in him before. Glad they kept giving him the rock...he's earned it, keep it up!
Posted by: BULL-iever | November 01, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Greg,
THANKS for Giving Plancher the recognition due him. Plancher should be rewarded with the opportunity to be our Feature Back. Give him 3 or 4 series to produce, then decide on a change based on how he is doing.
GO BULLS!
Posted by: Accountability | November 01, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The case can be made for a running back rotation, at least it's been made on the Pro Level... But there the #1 gets 2 series, #2 gets 2 series, and the #3 gets 1... I'm not totally against a rotation, but 3 different RB's in the same drive is what drives me nuts... Even two in the span of three plays doesn't allow any RB to get into the flow... Having said that, I'm glad they gave it to the hot hand on Friday... Can't wait to dispose of the Scarlet Gnats...
Posted by: Steve W | November 01, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I just do not understand how the RB auditions are still going on nine weeks into the season.
Or does every team do that?
No? Only ours? I thought so.
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | November 01, 2009 at 10:18 PM