19 for 36

[Kyle]

Why does all of the blame have to be placed on Scales? I'm by no means a football expert, but I would argue that the overall effectiveness of a team's running game has more to do with the OL than with the individual running back. You're not going to gain many yards if you don't have much room to run.

Amen. The line was not creating anything for Scales last night. Scales is a more than serviceable back when he's healthy and I'm glad he's there to help us out.

He lacks a lot of the quickness and speed that he probably had before his multiple injuries, but as others have said, he has a lot of positives. He blocks well, he runs hard, he always falls forward, and he doesn't fumble. Our running woes definitely do not all fall on the shoulders of Scales.

[mj4cy]

WHY Jason Scales is the starting RB is beyond me. last night he was 19 carries for 36 yards....1.8 avg. It was some of the WORST running I have ever seen. He runs right into the line and falls down.

If he starts next week, ISU looses by 20. Jason Harris last week had a 70 yd td run and does not sniff the field last night. However Mr. Scales gets 19 carries with his LONGEST run of 5 yards (which I am trying to remember).

Keep him on the special teams blocking punts, but get him out of the rotation for running back. I know I am just a fan and not paid to be a coach, but he has done nothing to deserve his current role.

You might want to consider the line gave him barely any room. When they did give him room, I'll agree he did not capitalize.

[mwitt]

The line was awful last night. Both of them.

[CycloneWarrior]

the reason he started was because he is a much better blocking back than any of our other guys, but still i wish jason harris would get some carries, i really hope a rob is back for next week

[mike4cy]

WHY Jason Scales is the starting RB is beyond me. last night he was 19 carries for 36 yards....1.8 avg. It was some of the WORST running I have ever seen. He runs right into the line and falls down.

If he starts next week, ISU looses by 20. Jason Harris last week had a 70 yd td run and does not sniff the field last night. However Mr. Scales gets 19 carries with his LONGEST run of 5 yards (which I am trying to remember).

Keep him on the special teams blocking punts, but get him out of the rotation for running back. I know I am just a fan and not paid to be a coach, but he has done nothing to deserve his current role.

They addressed this on Cyclone Reaction last night, it is because Scales blocks better than anyone else (other than A Rob).

[mike4cy]

the reason he started was because he is a much better blocking back than any of our other guys, but still i wish jason harris would get some carries, i really hope a rob is back for next week

Aww you JUST beat me to it.

[CycloneWarrior]

i beat you all to it, hahahahaha

[ripvdub]

What is worse, 19 carries with only 36 yards, or a couple sacks? I think the extra yardage we might get with someone else running the ball outweighs the loss of a few sacks.

[ISUFan22]

What is worse, 19 carries with only 36 yards, or a couple sacks? I think the extra yardage we might get with someone else running the ball outweighs the loss of a few sacks.

QB coach Petersen may disagree with you. He hates sacks - hates 'em. Works tirelessly to make sure we have as few as possible.

Said in the spring of last year that as long as he's around, ISU will never give up nearly as many sacks as we did in '06.

Plus, from what I heard regarding the line play from many people - having A-Rob or a fully practices Bass would likely not have made a ton of difference last night.

[Aclone]

What is worse, 19 carries with only 36 yards, or a couple sacks? I think the extra yardage we might get with someone else running the ball outweighs the loss of a few sacks.

Uhh...who else? You also seem to have missed the numerous posts as to the offensive line's contribution--or lack thereof.

And if a sack is a loss of, say, seven yards, how much does "a few" add up to? Not to mention worse field position/down and distance.

[ripvdub]

If we're counting on our tail back to keep us from getting any sacks, were in serious trouble. Its the Olines job. The RB is a last resort and help out on picking up the blitz.

[The_Architect]

Scales looked good on that TD run. He did a good job bouncing to the outside when the LOS was stuffed(big surprise).

[Iastfan112]

QB coach Rodgers may disagree with you. He hates sacks - hates 'em. Works tirelessly to make sure we have as few as possible.

Said in the spring of last year that as long as he's around, ISU will never give up nearly as many sacks as we did in '06.

I'll take the blocking as well. Lets say Harris or JJ had been in there instead an doubled the yardage from 36 to 70 but the inferior blocking allows two sacks, there you get rid of 15 or so of that gain, plus you need to factor in that those sacks could have been completions if allowing for more time, or what were completions could have rushed instead due to less time to throw. I can understand why the coaches go with Scales and respect his work ethic out there.

[ISUFan22]

Uhh...who else? You also seem to have missed the numerous posts as to the offensive line's contribution--or lack thereof.

And if a sack is a loss of, say, seven yards, how much does "a few" add up to? Not to mention worse field position/down and distance.

Lots of things missed here...best to just let it go - it won't sink in.

[Aclone]

If we're counting on our tail back to keep us from getting any sacks, were in serious trouble. Its the Olines job. The RB is a last resort and help out on picking up the blitz.

Uhhh....