Perspective on the running game
It’s obvious that the PJ Fleck regime has brought a new era of a balanced attack at WMU. While the Cubit offenses were fun to watch, my one criticism is that other than the West and Bonds years, we didn’t have a running game to speak of. Our OL play seemed to depend on who was coaching them but generally was not one of our stronger areas, especially run blocking. We lacked depth, as well.
How many of us coud have predicted this season’s strong running game after last year? We had no idea that a sensational freshman running back would burst upon the scene and that our O Line would become an area of strength this season. Now we’re starting to get spoiled. It’s kind of hard not to get spoiled, expecting more.
We’ve not seen a rushing attack like this in a long time. How long? Consider that in 9 games, Franklin has had SEVEN 100 yard games so far this year before EMU. Looking back at the team records, there have only been a few years where the entire WMU team put up more 100 yard rushing days in an entire season than JF has so far. And he still has three more games to add to those seven.
Purdue, 163 yd., 3 TD
Idaho 212 yd., 3 TD
Murray St. 168 yd., 3 TD
VaTech 76 yd. 2 TD
Toledo 64 yd. 1 TD
Ball St. 161 yd., 3 TD
BGSU 149 yd., 1 TD
Ohio 156 yd., 3 TD
Miami 182 yd., 3 TD
Most who have followed WMU football remember those great rushing years well. They concided with a great RB and an OL that gave them a chance. Robert Sanford put up seven 100 yard games in 1997 and in 2000 he had eight of them including 203 at Marshall. In 1982, WMU produced seven 100 yard games with Faulkner getting 4, Larry Caper 2 and Cliff Reed 1. The following year, 1983 saw Faulkner get eight of them himself. The Jerome Persell years were the most prolific, as the Broncos put up NINE 100 yard games each year from 1976 through 1978. Jerome Persell had 21 of those 27 century mark games. He had games of 241 against EMU in 1976, 234 at Marshall in 1977, 226 at Miami, 205 at NIU, and 209 vs BG in1978. He had 6 career 200 yard plus games. You can see why he was a two time All American.
Should Franklin stick around, he could own many, if not most of these records. While football is a team game and coach preaches do your job it is obvious that people doing their job is partly responsible for their rushing success. While the focus should be on team and not individual accomplishments, what is happening right in front of us is something special and can't be ignored. With that in mind, let’s take a gander at the WMU rushing and scoring records.
RUSHING YARDS
SEASON
1,668 Shawn Faulkner 1983
Franklin has 1,330 yards. He needs 369 yards in the final 3 games, or an avg. of 123, which is attainable.
CAREER
4,219 Robert Sanford 1997 - 00
Not much needs to be said here. It is early in his career but should he stay healthy......
GAME
279 Lovell Coleman vs.Central Michigan, 1958
I could conceive of a day when Franklin breaks three or four big touchdown runs. If there is/has been a back at WMU that could threaten this record, it might be JF.
PLAY
95 Clarence Frendt vs.Detroit City, 1930 (TD)
RUSHING ATTEMPTS
SEASON
394 Shawn Faulkner, 1983
Jarvion has 242 attempts after 9 games. If we add his average att/gm (26.9) X 3 he would project out to 323. You can see what a workhorse Faulkner was as we have worried about the number of carries for JF.
CAREER
842 Jerome Persell, 1976 - 78
This one is possible, depending on health and longevity.
GAME
47 Shawn Faulkner vs. Ball State, 1983
I hope we never see JF carry it that much in a game.
TOUCHDOWNS
SEASON
22 and counting - Jarvion Franklin, 2014
CAREER
43 Robert Sanford, 1997 - 00
Pretty obvious, given where he is now that he could well shatter this mark.
GAME
8 Walt Olsen vs.Grand Rapids Veterinary, 1916
Walt’s great grandsons need not worry. Doubt this ever is broken.
TOTAL POINTS
SEASON
138 Walt Olsen, 1916
Jarvion has 132 points right now with 3 games to play. One of Walt’s records will fall Saturday against EMU.
CAREER
333 John Potter, 2008 - 11
John’s record may not stand for long, depending on JF’s health and longevity.
GAME
52 Walt Olsen vs Grand Rapids Veterinary, 1916
Looks pretty safe. LOL
JARVION'S STATS before the EMU game; 242 att., 1330 yd., 5.5 avg., 22 TD, long of 61, avg. 147.8/ gm, 132 points, 14.7 ppg.
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