Running Backs
The big emergence with the Vols this week was freshman Jeremy Banks. The west Tennessee native rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Banks really asserted his presence on the goal line, as he powered his way in for both of his scores. He was a great complement to leading rusher Tim Jordan, who rushed for 65 yards on 15 carries.
Here’s what I saw out of the backs against East Tennessee State:
Tim Jordan
Positive runs: 9 on 15 carries
Negative runs: 6 on 15 carries (four of the six negative runs were due to poor run blocking)
Broken tackles: 6
Picked up blitz: 8
Missed blocks: None
Jeremy Banks
Positive runs: 8 on 13 carries
Negative runs: 5 on 13 carries (four of the five negative runs were due to poor run blocking)
Broken tackles: 10
Picked up blitz: N/A
Missed blocks: N/A
Madre London
Positive runs: 5 on 8 carries
Negative runs: 3 on 8 carries (all three negative runs were due to poor run blocking)
Broken tackles: 2
Picked up blitz: 1
Missed blocks: 2
Princeton Fant
Positive runs: 2 on 3 carries
Negative runs: 1 on 3 carries
Broken tackles: N/A
Picked up blitz: N/A
Missed blocks: N/A
The big complaint surrounding the backs this week was that Tim Jordan ran east and west too often, rather than north and south. After watching the game a couple of times, I don’t think Jordan ran east and west as much as many made it out to be. On almost all of his carries, Jordan did a great job of following his blocks and cutting it outside or inside when necessary. Most of the runs in which Jordan bounced it outside, it appeared to be a design run to the outside.
Regardless, Tennessee’s running backs have been impressive through two weeks. Tennessee fans should feel confident with any of the four backs – Jordan, Banks, London and Ty Chandler – carrying the rock.
