Quarterbacks and the ground game

Bo Wallace says he plans to run extra sprints after practice this week to avoid the cramps that sent him to the locker room for an IV last week against Central Arkansas.

We knew from watching practice that the quarterback run would be a big part of the Hugh Freeze offense, and that running would not be limited to Barry Brunetti, just as passing wasn’t limited to Wallace.

Wallace, though, ran more than anyone expected in the opener. By game’s end, the Rebels had rushed for 235 yards, and their top two rushers were the quarterbacks.

“We’ve always known I could run a little bit. I just never had to. It was fun. My little brother was making fun of me on that first touchdown run telling me I looked slow,” said Wallace, who finished with 82 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. His touchdown run covered 25 yards. He would have had a second rushing touchdown after a 3-yard gain had he not fumbled into the end zone. Fortunately for Ole Miss, wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan was there for the recovery.

Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin rushed for 588 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Before sack yardage was subtracted Aplin had 802 yards rushing.
Wallace said he was simply taking what the defense gave. There were other factors in play. Jeff Scott wasn’t available, and that is expected to change this week. Randall Mackey was available but was sick, and two freshman backs, I’Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton, were playing in their first college game.

It will be interesting to see how quarterback running evolves in the offense. The Rebels won’t likely get 136 yards from the position each week, but Wallace expects to be a factor on the ground.

“This week after practice I’ll have to do some (more) sprints to get my body ready for it. I had fun running the football. That was the most I’d run in college,” he said.