J.J. Bass

**ISUCLONES15** · 08-31-2007, 10:40 AM

With all of the frustartion coming out of last nights game it seems the performance of J.J. Bass has not been talked about much. Over 100 yards before halftime? When was the last time that an ISU back had 100 yards rushing before halftime? This guy has all the tools to be an awesome back. I love how he always runs with his knees high and keeps his feet moving. I have a feeling he is going to carve up the UNI front 7! Go Clones!

**ISUFan22** · 08-31-2007, 10:42 AM

Bass did definitely come to play last night. Hit the holes hard and ran some guys over (including a Kent State female trainer).

The line didn't do a bad job of opening some holes for him, especially in the first half.

**guitarchitect7** · 08-31-2007, 10:45 AM

I was waiting for this one.

Some irritating voice next to me actually brought up a good point last night and that is Bass just seems to have a natural swager about how he runs. I looked at a lot of those plays and it reminded me of last year, but amazingly, he made some big runs out of them.

As I said in another thread, the O-Line did fairly well on half of the plays creating some gabs for him to run, but Bass did a nice job of creating something out of nothing on the other half.

The thing about running is the O-Line starts it, but the RB has to finish it. Hicks tip-toed to much and didn't have the swager to fit through some of those tight holes. This caused for quick run plays resulting in little to no yardage. I saw one play towards the end of the night where Bass was shoulder to shoulder with an O-linemen, but yet scooted passed him and through some defenders on a ver tough first down.

I think we found our man in the back.

**bos** · 08-31-2007, 10:46 AM

Excellent. Hopefully as the line gets better he can produce more. I was mad at one point where he ran into a lineman that was in his way and killed his momentum, but oh well. I like his intensity.

**bootcy** · 08-31-2007, 10:51 AM

What I like about JJ Bass is the kind of person he appears to be. On the post game show the interviewed Schmelling and he said the Bass is a very thankful guy and would thank the line for each play both in the game and in practice, whether is a 1 yard gain or a 99 touchdown. When Bass was interviewed he had nothing but great things to say about the line and appeared to be very humble and excited to be here.

**Clone9** · 08-31-2007, 10:51 AM

Bass was a very large bright spot, and I hope it doesn't get lost in the other frustrations.

When there was a hole, he got a big gain. When there wasn't a hole, he either fought for 3 yds or got back to the line.

He took advantage of what the O-line gave him, which was pretty good some of the time. If he is able to continue what he did last night, we havn't had a back like him in years. Last night he looked better than Hicks, Haywood, or anyone since the Davis boys.

I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much since it was just one game, but he looked really good.

**MidwestZest** · 08-31-2007, 10:52 AM

He seemed to have plenty of speed to turn the corner when running outside too - you think that's the case, or was kent st just a little slow on those corners?

**flander1649** · 08-31-2007, 10:52 AM

On several runs a defender made it into the backfield but instead of loosing 3-4 yards Bass was able to make 3-4. That is a big difference in runners compared to last year. I many of his short gains would have been lost yardage with Hicks last year.

**cytech** · 08-31-2007, 10:53 AM

I loved watching Bass break those long runs. But from what I saw the Oline kinda hindered him a bit. They could not open any wholes at all on the inside for him to run through. All the decent runs came from going off the outside corner of the line.

**SouthCyder** · 08-31-2007, 10:56 AM

There was a swagger to Bass, but not really a cockiness. I liked it. After every run, good or bad, he patted most of the players on the helmet or dished out some high fives and fist pounds. He didn't just get up and walk back to the huddle. He acknowledged the guys that allowed him to make the play. JJ is going to be a huge playmaker, but if that is any evidence, he looks to be a great team guy and truly happy to play here.

I like that in a player a lot. He is going to be exciting to watch!

**MaxPower57** · 08-31-2007, 11:03 AM

yes, Bass was a real bright spot. i am also cautiously optimistic about our O-Line, they are young but they played at a higher level than i was expecting. Just look at the two deeps at tackle: one soph, 2 redshirt frosh, and a true frosh, and another soph in Stephens starting at guard. the only guy we lose for next year is Tibbs, a backup. I really think our line will gel this year and become a real bright spot, as soon as their experience cuts away stupid penalties, snapping over Meyer's head, etc.

**wonkadog** · 08-31-2007, 11:06 AM

I agree Max, I expected our o-line to be complete dogcrap but they proved me wrong last night...they were serviceable.

**ISUFan22** · 08-31-2007, 11:07 AM

How many guys saw some decent playing time on the line last night? I also concur that they didn't look too bad last night.

Will be interested to see how they fair against Iowa and the Big 12 teams.

**MaxPower57** · 08-31-2007, 11:08 AM

i know i saw Matt Hulbert get some PT for Dedrick

**jbhtexas** · 08-31-2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by SouthCyder

There was a swagger to Bass, but not really a cockiness. I liked it. After every run, good or bad, he patted most of the players on the helmet or dished out some high fives and fist pounds. He didn't just get up and walk back to the huddle. He acknowledged the guys that allowed him to make the play. JJ is going to be a huge playmaker, but if that is any evidence, he looks to be a great team guy and truly happy to play here.

Hmmm...perhaps the emergence of a new team leader???