College Football Superlatives from Kramer's Korner: The Year of the Running Back

Adam KramerNov 23, 2014

A true freshman just shattered a historic record that had stood for a whole seven days. That, more than anything, paints a picture of just how remarkable 2014 has been for running backs. Despite the absurdity of what you’ve already seen, don’t stop watching. They're really only getting started.

The conversation starts, of course, with Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine, who just set a single-game record by rushing for 427 yards against Kansas. Just last week, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon broke a mark that stood tall for 5,474 days; this time it didn’t quite make it so far.

Although his record fell, Gordon continued to make history of his own. He eclipsed more than 2,000 rushing yards for the season, becoming the fastest player in the history of the sport to do so. He also has a realistic shot at Barry Sanders' mark for most rushing yards in a season.

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Take away his fourth quarters this year, and he would still be leading the nation in rushing. Badger Football noted just how impressive Gordon's rushing total is over "the first three quarters of games":

"
If you took Melvin Gordon's rushing totals from just the first 3 quarters of games, he would still lead the country w/1,915 yards. #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) November 23, 2014"

You could celebrate these two backs and their remarkable achievements for exactly what they are—seizing the conversation entirely—although you wouldn’t begin to scratch the surface when it comes to this crucial yet undervalued position.

Indiana running back Tevin Coleman has rushed for 535 yards and four touchdowns in the past two weeks, pushing his total for the year over 1,900 yards. He has done so with limited help through the air and little fanfare. You need to watch him more if you aren’t already.

James Conner of Pittsburgh has bowling-balled his way to 1,600 yards rushing and 22 scores. Devon Johnson, Marshall’s unheralded junior back, has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging more than eight-and-a-half yards per carry.

There are stars everywhere, and the freshman crop is the most potent of our lifetime. Outside of Perine, Oregon’s Royce Freeman, Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin, Georgia’s Nick Chubb, Arizona’s Nick Wilson, Northwestern’s Justin Jackson and South Florida’s Marlon Mack have already run for more than 1,000 yards in their first season as collegiate backs.

That list doesn’t include LSU’s Leonard Fournette, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd, Georgia’s Sony Michel and Auburn’s Roc Thomas. They have all flashed brilliance at some point during their debut seasons, and you can be sure that there is greatness to follow.

It’s the now, but it’s also the future. And as Gordon churns toward history, a deep crop of talented runners are ready to reestablish the position’s true worth. Despite the notion that offense will be done through the air going forward, this season has told us otherwise.

As for awards, video of grown men doing barrel rolls onto football fields and more, let us dive deep into Week 13.

Offensive Player of the Week: Samaje Perine, Oklahoma

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Samaje Perine #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away from the Kansas Jayhawks to score November 22, 2014 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

Brett Deering/Getty Images

For the second consecutive week, our Offensive Player of the Week has made running for more than 400 yards in a single football game look entirely too routine. Gordon broke the rushing record in Week 12 in only three quarters; Perine broke Gordon’s seven-day mark three minutes into the fourth quarter.

I thought this was supposed to be difficult?

Perine’s 427-yard rushing effort against Kansas came on 34 carries, which averages out to 12.6 yards per rush. He also caught one pass for 19 yards and scored five touchdowns.

This is the third time Perine has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game this season. He has also gone for 640 yards on the ground in the last two games alone.

Reminder: He is also a true freshman.

I’m so sorry, Big 12 defensive coordinators. Might as well put on another pot of coffee.

Dominant Defender: Arkansas (Yes, the Entire Defense)

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 22: Bo Wallace #14 of the Ole Miss Rebels is tackled in the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 30-0. (Photo b

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Let’s flip the script, at least for one week. The situation calls for it.

Instead of highlighting individual defensive excellence—and Missouri’s Markus Golden likely would have been the deserving choice had we stayed true to form—we’re celebrating an entire defense for consecutive relentless efforts.

Arkansas did it again. The Hogs didn’t just secure a second SEC win under head coach Bret Bielema, but they also shut out their opponent for the second consecutive week.

After allowing no points and 123 yards to LSU in Week 12, Bielema’s group allowed just 316 yards and shut out Ole Miss in a 30-0 victory. The Razorbacks were relentless in pressuring the Rebels, and Ole Miss never really found an offensive rhythm. For the game, Arkansas forced six turnovers overall.

I’m not sure there’s a team in the country outside the Top Seven I’d like to play less than this one. It just sits on you and doesn't allow you to get up. It is so much fun from a comfortable distance.

Video-Game Box Score

—In one of the most obscure box scores you will see all season, Washington State finished with 622 yards of offense, including 601 yards passing from quarterback Luke Falk. It outgained Arizona State by nearly 300 yards for the entire game. And, thanks in large part to five turnovers, the Sun Devils still won by three touchdowns. Football is weird, man.

—Colorado State has quietly built up a bit of box-score wreckage this season against opponents that haven’t stood much of a chance. Against New Mexico, the Rams kept up with this theme by finishing with 698 total yards, 32 first downs and 58 points. Running back Dee Hart—the former Alabama product—ran for 230 yards and five touchdowns on only 20 carries. Not a bad day at the office.

Anti-Video-Game Box Score

—In a game that will be studied for decades, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech went to overtime tied 0-0. The Demon Deacons eventually won 6-3 in a field-goal battle, turning in one of the surprise ACC performances of the year. Although 6-3 paints an accurate anti-video-game box score as is, the drive chart is something you really need to see. You’ve been warned; this is not for the faint of heart.

"
Art. pic.twitter.com/HIQQ0iw6Eo
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) November 22, 2014"

—You may officially reset your "Days since SMU was featured in the Anti-Video-Game Box-Score Section" clocks to zero. Against UCF, the Mustangs finished with just 116 yards of total offense and just 50 passing yards. More staggering, however, is the fact that SMU posted four first downs and five turnovers. That’s right, more turnovers than first downs. Stay tuned for more SMU updates.

Unbalanced Box-Score Weirdness of the Week

—We’ve added another section this week to celebrate Kansas State’s offensive performance against West Virginia. When you run the ball 28 times for three total yards and still win convincingly on the road at West Virginia, you create your own category. Behold the ultimate anti-balance, with game stats from Bleacher Report's Ben Kercheval.

"
#balance pic.twitter.com/SjaZzFmNpG
— Ben Kercheval (@BenKercheval) November 21, 2014"

Biggest Surprise

In one moment, we were presented two unexpected and visually appealing outcomes. You’re getting your money’s worth this week.

Tennessee’s fake field goal against Missouri in the second quarter was unanticipated perfection. Alex Ellis hauled in the pass from Patrick Ashford—who looks like he could actually start at some (if not most) SEC schools—and the Vols took an early lead on the touchdown.

As if the magnificent bit of special teams excellence wasn’t enough, a Tennessee fan took it upon himself to celebrate by barrel-rolling out of the stands (unintentionally, of course) and onto the field. It's not just the fall that makes this follow-up celebration; Kirk Herbstreit's serious call of this moment really sealed the deal.

And in case you wanted to watch that in slow-mo on loop (and you do), you're in luck.

Best Moment: “Jesus, Girls and Marcus Mariota”

Unless Les Miles reads Moby Dick in its entirety at a press conference, you will not see a better postgame interaction than the one that took place between Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich and a 12-year-old student from O'Hara Catholic School.

It will all make sense, at least somewhat, momentarily. I promise.

Following the Ducks’ 44-10 victory over Colorado, a student diving headfirst into the profession asked Helfrich if he thought star quarterback Marcus Mariota would return to Oregon next season.

The exchange that followed was unquestionably one of the better press conference moments you will ever see. In fact, let’s just allow 12-year-olds to ask the questions moving forward. Cool? Cool.

For the Highlight Reel

Canaan Severin’s touchdown grab was an acrobatic thing of beauty. In fact, at first glance it didn’t even seem real. It all looked far too easy.

As it turns out, it was very much real. And the 23-yard catch against Miami helped the Cavaliers take down the Hurricanes at home.

You will now spend the next few minutes watching this, wondering how exactly it came together. The call from the magnificent Joe Tessitore also helped make the moment.

If the College Football Playoff Started Today...(or Why I Hate Your Team)

Let’s be honest; we didn’t learn much last week. FCS games and overall scheduling mediocrity provided very little in terms of playoff shakeups. That will likely change this week with so many meaningful games on the horizon, although it didn’t do much to my particular playoff picture.

Here is my top four; please express your outrage accordingly by throwing all rotten vegetables in your possession. Don't loft them, either.

1. Oregon

2. Alabama

3. Florida State

4. Mississippi State

Five Leftovers to Chew on

Gus Ruelas/Associated Press

1. It should be mandatory that all teams playing in rivalry games wear their home uniforms. I cannot stress this enough. Watching UCLA and USC play one another in beautiful HD—each in their home threads—has become one of my favorite football sights of the year.

Although the game itself turned rather “meh” quickly, you were still able to sit back and marvel at the cosmetic beauty. Other teams take note; you should really be doing the same.

2. Gary Pinkel is quietly approaching wizard status as a head coach. Are the Tigers the best team in the country? Of course not. But when you look at the past two seasons and what Pinkel’s teams have been able to accomplish—especially given the immense amount of talent that left campus this past offseason—you start to appreciate the job he’s done.

I’m not sure he’d ever want to leave his current spot for another job, but I’m shocked he doesn’t get more looks from major programs.

3. It has become abundantly clear over the course of the season, even until this past Saturday, that I have severely underrated Arizona. I assumed that at some point the tires would fall off in somewhat spectacular fashion and that the Wildcats would regress to the expected average. That hasn’t happened. In fact, following Arizona’s 42-10 blowout victory over Utah on the road, the exact opposite has occurred.

Be sure to make next week’s Arizona-Arizona State game required viewing. There are a lot of matchups you do not want to miss. This is one of them.

4. Are we still somehow underrating Marcus Mariota? That seems like a strange question given the Heisman and NFL draft buzz that has started to bubble over, although I can’t help but wonder if we’re not truly appreciating just how fabulous Oregon’s quarterback has been over the past few years.

When you stack up his production to some of the great quarterbacks in recent memory, however, you start to see just how rare this kind of career dominance truly is. Enjoy him while you can.

Craig Pintens of GoDucks.com shared Mariota's impressive TD/INT comparison:

"
Marcus Mariota has incredible career 95:12 TD/INT ratio. Notable comparisons below #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/h90uk5wz7u
— Craig Pintens (@UOPintens) November 23, 2014"

5. With a win over UConn next Saturday, Memphis will complete the flip. The Tigers will have gone from 3-9 to 9-3 in just one calendar year. A victory here would also give the Tigers the American Athletic Conference Championship, which is remarkable. That sound you hear in the distance is the Brinks truck backing up to Justin Fuente’s front lawn. This man is about to paid (and deservingly so).

Large Man Play of the Week

Connor Kruse, a fifth-year senior at Michigan State, provided the most thrilling one-yard run you will see all year.

What could possibly be so exciting about a one-yard run, you ask? Well, Kruse just so happens to be a 325-pound offensive lineman who was given a carry on an end-around. It was as amazing as it sounds, although you've sprinted to the highlight long ago.

The play was originally designed for Travis Jackson, although he suffered an injury early in the game. That meant it was up to Kruse to fill in, despite not having practiced this once throughout the week, and the end result was football magic.

Elusive Special Teams Save of the Week

Yale punter Bryan Holmes was close to being destroyed. With Harvard players barreling down, however, Holmes deceptively offered up a fake punt—not the one you’re accustomed to reading about, but an actual fake—before tucking the ball and sneaking off a quality 46-yard punt.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that punters can't make highlights. They are people too.

Amazing Screen Grab of the Week

When is it appropriate to celebrate a 0-0 game heading into overtime? Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer gave us the answer following Wake Forest’s missed field goal as time expired.

The Demon Deacons, of course, proceeded to win in extra time, and the end result is one of the saddest frozen moments of 2014. Put it on a calendar. Deadspin's Timothy Burke captured the moment:

"
THIS IS NOTHING TO CELEBRATE, FRANK BEAMER pic.twitter.com/2sqjAJAZ2C
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 22, 2014"

This Week in Excessive Eye Black

UCLA, consider this your eye-black intervention. I understand that this plan worked for you and you just beat your rival, but why don't you have a seat and we can talk this out. Detroit Jock City's Nate Williams and Pac-12 Networks' JB Long chimed in on the subject: