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OSU 1000 Yard Seasons - Rushing

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bkochmc

bkochmc

Assistant Coach
I looked for a post to see if there was a list of 1000 yard seasons at Ohio State and could not find one. My curiosity was sparked by the potential to have 2-1000 yard rushers next year (Pittman and Wells) and I wondered how many times that happened in OSU's past. Since I couldn't find a post with this info here is the list:

Rushing Yards – Season Att. ........................Year
1. 1,927 Eddie George 328 ........................ 1995
2. 1,764 Keith Byars 336 ........................ 1984
3. 1,695 Archie Griffin 256 ........................ 1974
4. 1,577 Archie Griffin 247 ........................ 1973
5. 1,538 Tim Spencer 273 ........................ 1982
6. 1,484 Pepe Pearson 299 ........................ 1996
7. 1,450 Archie Griffin 262 ........................ 1975
8. 1,442 Eddie George 276 ........................ 1994
9. 1,344 Raymont Harris 273 ........................ 1993
10. 1,331 Antonio Pittman 243 ........................ 2005
11. 1,294 Jonathan Wells 251 ........................ 2001
12. 1,267 Calvin Murray 195 ........................ 1980
13. 1,248 Jeff Logan 218 ........................ 1976
14. 1,235 Michael Wiley 198 ........................ 1998
15. 1,230 Maurice Clarett 222 ........................ 2002
16. 1,217 Tim Spencer 226 ........................ 1981
17. 1,199 Keith Byars 222 ........................ 1983
18. 1,166 Ron Springs 200 ........................ 1977
19. 1,142 John Brockington 261 ........................ 1970
20. 1,126 Robert Smith 177 ........................ 1990
21. 1,059 Pete Johnson 227 ........................ 1975
22. 1,030 Vince Workman 210 ........................ 1986
23. 1,027 Jim Otis 219 ........................ 1969

Ohio State has only had 1 season with 2 running backs over 1000 yards. In 1975 Archie ran for 1450 and Pete Johnson ran for 1059. Hopefully we'll get to see history next year with two 1000 yard rushers for the first time in over 30 years (I don't think Wells will get enough opportunities this year to come close to that number).

On a side note... many of the OSU greats are on that list a few times. It appears that Pittman had the second best season by a sophomore, only to be topped by Griffin. If he continues to improve he'll go down as one of the all-time greats.

Source (PDF file)
 
Rushing Yards – Season Att. ........................Year....YPC
01. 1,927 Eddie George 328 ........................ 1995....5.88
02. 1,764 Keith Byars 336 .......................... 1984....5.25
03. 1,695 Archie Griffin 256 ........................ 1974....6.62
04. 1,577 Archie Griffin 247 ........................ 1973....6.38
05. 1,538 Tim Spencer 273 ........................ 1982....5.63
06. 1,484 Pepe Pearson 299 ....................... 1996....4.96
07. 1,450 Archie Griffin 262 ........................ 1975....5.53
08. 1,442 Eddie George 276 ........................ 1994....5.22
09. 1,344 Raymont Harris 273 ..................... 1993....4.92
10. 1,331 Antonio Pittman 243 .................... 2005....5.48
11. 1,294 Jonathan Wells 251 ..................... 2001....5.16
12. 1,267 Calvin Murray 195 ....................... 1980....6.50
13. 1,248 Jeff Logan 218 ........................... 1976....5.72
14. 1,235 Michael Wiley 198 ....................... 1998....6.24
15. 1,230 Maurice Clarett 222 ..................... 2002....5.54
16. 1,217 Tim Spencer 226 ......................... 1981....5.38
17. 1,199 Keith Byars 222 ........................... 1983....5.40
18. 1,166 Ron Springs 200 .......................... 1977....5.83
19. 1,142 John Brockington 261 ................... 1970....4.38
20. 1,126 Robert Smith 177 ......................... 1990....6.36
21. 1,059 Pete Johnson 227 ........................ 1975....4.67
22. 1,030 Vince Workman 210 ..................... 1986....4.90
23. 1,027 Jim Otis 219 ............................... 1969....4.69

Given OSU's OLine this year, I don't think there's any question that Pitt can run for 1200+ yards IF he gets the carries. So, I added the YPC for each runner. Based on last year's average, and assuming he can maintain that average, he would need to carry the ball 219 times to reach 1200 yards. Given the 13 game schedule (including bowl game), that comes to just under 17 carries per game.

If the offense can get out to a big lead in the first half, it will allow for lots of running plays, especially in the second half, when they're burning the clock.

IMO, 17-20 carries per game is a good number for Pittman. It'll keep him fresh throughout the season and allow him to get his numbers.....
 
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I think that if he gets 1200 yards, that would be a big decrease. I know you said plus but im shotting for him to get around 1400-1450 this season. With the Wells's back there to compiment him and the receiving corp that we have there no excuse why he shouldnt improve from last year. Oh yea that more experienced line might help.:wink2: Go Bucks!!!

O-H
 
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NFBuck said:
I'll bet good $ CWells is seeing more than "garbage time" early on.
Click to expand...

I smell a Vbet unless there already is one that I'm not aware of.

bkochmc said:
You doubt it will happen when? This year or next year? If you meant this year, I agree with you and said that at the bottom of my post... IF it will happen (big if) it will be next year.<!-- / message -->
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This year and I know you already said you doubted it would happen. I was just throwing in my 2 cents.
 
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i doubt it myself... 2 1000 yard backs is really hard to do because it takes away alot from your passing game... and you still have to think that troy is going to scramble and that ginn is going to get his receptions... so 2 1000 yard backs doesn't even seem possible...
 
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stthegreat04 said:
i doubt it myself... 2 1000 yard backs is really hard to do because it takes away alot from your passing game... and you still have to think that troy is going to scramble and that ginn is going to get his receptions... so 2 1000 yard backs doesn't even seem possible...
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At first glance, I would agree. However, did you realize that Troy Smith ran for a net of 611 yards last year - in only 11 games? He averaged a little less than 12 carries per game, so I don't think it's out of the question that Pittman and Wells could both do it. If they were able to both get 15-20 carries per game, it's not out of the question.

Is it likely?

No. I'll give you that it's not very likely, but it's definitely not impossible.
 
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OregonBuckeye said:
This year and I know you already said you doubted it would happen. I was just throwing in my 2 cents.
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No problem, I wanted to address that just in case. :wink: As for if it is possible this year or next year (not directed at you Oregon, just in general)...

Reasons it will not happen this year:
  1. Potent passing offense
  2. Chris Wells's inexperience will limit his carries, especially at the beginning of the season and in tight games
  3. The Troy Smith Factor - He can take off whenever he sees an opening and make a big play out of it
Reasons it may happen next year:
  1. New and less mobile QB makes play calling more conservative (READ: more run plays)
  2. Chris Wells will have more experience
  3. Graduating Troy Smith and Ted Ginn possibly to the NFL will place more focus on the running game
 
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Lots of underrated guys on that list...Workman, Springs, Murray, Spencer...we've been very fortunate over the years, and sometimes people take too many of those players for granted.
 
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Perhaps Pittman and Smith will pair up as 1000-yard rushers this season? I could see Smith getting some big time rushing yards in a few of our games, and he'll certainly have more oppotunities to carry the ball than Beanie will. While I don't think either scenario will occur, I also think it's more plausible for Troy Smith to eclipse a 1000 yards rushing than Chris Wells.

edit - spelling
 
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luckobucko said:
Perhaps Pittman and Smith will pair up as 1000-yard rushers this season? I could see Smith getting some big time rushing yards in a few of our games, and he'll certainly have more oppotunities to carry the ball than Beanie will. While I don't think either scenario will occur, I also think it's more plausible for Troy Smith to eclipse a 1000 yards rushing than Chris Wells.

edit - spelling
Click to expand...

Hell will freeze over before Tressel lets Troy run enough to get 1,000 yards.
 
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