ESPN: Projecting the Big Ten's 1,000-yard rushers (5. Rodrick Williams, Minnesota)

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per ESPN:

5. Rodrick Williams, Minnesota: The senior had only 118 rushing yards in 2014. So why is he on this list? Because he emerged in the spring as potentially the Gophers' top option in the backfield, and we know Jerry Kill's team is going to run, run, run the ball. With David Cobb and his 1,675 yards gone, someone must fill the void. Williams could be that guy.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/120550/projecting-the-1000-yard-rushers-in-the-big-ten

Go Gophers!!
 

They excluded Elliott, Clement and Jackson so he really would be the 8th most likely, not 5th.
 


Call me crazy, but I would not be surprised if the Gophers do NOT have a 1,000 yard rusher this season. Instead, I think they could wind up with 3 or 4 backs having significant yardage - 500 to 900 yards each - but nobody over the 1,000 mark. A lot depends on the early season. If Rod Williams has a couple of big games early, he might wind up being more of a work-horse. but, if Williams does not get off to a flying start, then I think we'll see a lot of backs getting carries - Edwards, Smith, Jones, or maybe even a dark-horse candidate (Femi-Cole?). Nothing wrong with balance - keep the legs fresh and be able to mix-and-match depending on what type of defense the opponents are playing.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Call me crazy, but I would not be surprised if the Gophers do NOT have a 1,000 yard rusher this season. Instead, I think they could wind up with 3 or 4 backs having significant yardage - 500 to 900 yards each - but nobody over the 1,000 mark. A lot depends on the early season. If Rod Williams has a couple of big games early, he might wind up being more of a work-horse. but, if Williams does not get off to a flying start, then I think we'll see a lot of backs getting carries - Edwards, Smith, Jones, or maybe even a dark-horse candidate (Femi-Cole?). Nothing wrong with balance - keep the legs fresh and be able to mix-and-match depending on what type of defense the opponents are playing.
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Yep, I could see Roderick getting 900 and Rodney Smith getting 500-800 or so. I don't think Jeff or Berkley will get very many carries at all besides on sweeps or in garbage time (but will get a fair number of receptions.)
 


Garbage time?

that is when guys like Barber and Maroney and Russell padded their numbers against teams not tough enough to play the full 60

quality backs if given a chance at anytime could gain large yardages.
 

DoubleB said:
Garbage time?

that is when guys like Barber and Maroney and Russell padded their numbers against teams not tough enough to play the full 60

quality backs if given a chance at anytime could gain large yardages.
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Maroney's first carry was in garbage time and he went to the house on an 80 yarder. Granted it was called back for holding, but hey.
 

die hard gopher said:
They excluded Elliott, Clement and Jackson so he really would be the 8th most likely, not 5th.
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The point of the article was who will join the 1,000 yard club. They granted Elliot, Clement and Jackson have already shown they could do it. The list is prospects who could.
 

Sparlimb said:
Maroney's first carry was in garbage time and he went to the house on an 80 yarder. Granted it was called back for holding, but hey.
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I thought it was a kickoff return for Maroney. I could be wrong though.
 



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