What does P.J. Fleck see as the key to fixing Minnesota's run game?

[BleedGopher]

Per Dylan:

Despite the stagnant rushing attack, Minnesota’s offense has remained potent, averaging 33.5 points and more than 400 yards per game thanks to a dangerous passing attack led by quarterback Drake Lindsey.

If the Gophers want to be successful going forward, they’ll need more out of their run game.

On Monday, during his weekly press conference, Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck was asked about his program’s run game and how they can improve going forward.

“I think just consistency, staying on our blocks a little bit longer,” he said. “We gotta be able to break some tackles. We’ve gone down by tripping over an ankle.”

“But I think it’s just consistency,” he reiterated. “That doesn’t happen if we’re a little tighter to the shelf, and those are the small details that, again, go a long way. If we can clean up the details, some fundamentals of the run game, I think we can have more success in it.”

What does P.J. Fleck see as the key to fixing Minnesota's run game?

How does the Minnesota Golden Gophers fix their run game? Head coach P.J. Fleck offers his thoughts.

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Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Don't need to.

MINNESOTA AIR RAID

 

[fmlizard]

Can we let Tafai play more?

He got in for one play for Roy and dominated his guy and saved the entire play the way it was designed.

 

[PMWinSTP]

There were several runs that would have been long gains but for what Fleck is pointing out. At least one was an ankle trip and that one for sure would have been a long gain, if not a TD. There was nobody in front of him when he tripped. Several others where there was an opportunity to break the tackle but didn't happen.

 

[BilldGopher]

Trippers gonna trip.

 

[MaxyJR1]

It's a mindset. Our line seems a bit lighter this season, but more athletic. Not getting the push in run game and better in pass pro. They may be better in space.

 

[Unregistered User]

 

[WHB Brewer]

PJ just waiting on Darius to return

 

[MNVCGUY]

It took them a little while last year but eventually they figured out they needed to throw to setup the run....I think they got there a little quicker this year.

Even when DT is back they can use his ability as a receiver to help open things up for him in the run game.

Yards on the ground are going to be tough to come by again against Ohio State. going to need the short passing game to help push the LBs back and keep them from teeing off on the running game.

 

[caliGopher]

Yeah, Fleck has sold the "we are a running team, control the clock" mantra for a long time. We're in year two, where that is not the case. O-line performance (and recruiting for those that insist Fleck is right on, it's the players who can't execute) has been subpar for a while. It was a concern coming into this season, it has not improved significantly from game 1.

Pass blocking worked better vs. Rutgers. We'll see how the line performs as teams figure out we can't run and don't focus so heavily on that and giving us more time to pass (Thanks again, Robb. We love you, buddy! (coaching an opponent that is).

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

It took them a little while last year but eventually they figured out they needed to throw to setup the run....I think they got there a little quicker this year.

I'm of the belief that passing CAN open up the run, a little, at least beyond the initial line of scrimmage as the defense adjusts.

I strongly doubt that the run ever opens up the pass. You either can or can not pass and rarely do I think defenses sacrifice pass coverage in a meaningful way that would make a pass more likely to be completed.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I'm of the belief that passing CAN open up the run, a little, at least beyond the initial line of scrimmage as the defense adjusts.

I strongly doubt that the run ever opens up the pass. You either can or can not pass and rarely do I think defenses sacrifice pass coverage in a meaningful way that would make a pass more likely to be completed.

The one area where the run opens up the pass is in the play action game. If you are running successfully they have to bite on the fake and that might open things up for the WR.

 

[Panthadad2]

Trippers gonna trip.

So true. They are who they are. The Gophs have been blessed in years past with RBs that could get that extra yard or three even when the O Line got stoned, but that hasn't been the case with this year's backups.

 

[Tech Machine]

So true. They are who they are. The Gophs have been blessed in years past with RBs that could get that extra yard or three even when the O Line got stoned, but that hasn't been the case with this year's backups.

I don’t think the O-line is “stoned” but they don’t get push nor did they last year much either. Poor lines can’t run sneaks, seems like neither our Gophs, or the local pros can run sneaks consistently. A lot like most of the folks posting here, soft in the middle.

 

[Soon2B8]

I have not been able to rewatch the last 2 games. The first 2 I did, I went in thinking the line wasn't opening up for the backs. As I watched i could see huge alleys opening but the backs were going another way. Looked to my untrained eye, the backs lacked anticipatory vision and trust. Felt good to see the line making space and excited for when backs start seeing the lanes- especially when DT gets back! Did not get to watch Rutgers game, sounds like run game struggled. Was too frustrated to watch the loss...too many dumb mistakes!

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Better players too. Taylor out sure does not help at all.