Louisville's Running Backs Embracing New Roles on Pass-Heavy Offense

For the last few years, the running back has been a staple of the Louisville football program.

Under previous head coach Scott Satterfield, they were the focal point of the offense under his run-heavy scheme. Last season alone, the Cardinals averaged 39.9 rushing attempts for 200.6 rushing yards per game, which ranked 16th and 13th in the Power Five, respectively, and 31st and 23rd at the FBS level.

With head coach Jeff Brohm now leading Louisville, the running backs are going to be utilized a lot differently. Returning to his alma mater afters six seasons at Purdue, he brings with him a pass-heavy, pro style offense that borders on being an air raid attack.

At first, one would think that the running backs on Louisville's roster would be averse to such a scheme change. But as the Cardinals go through spring ball, not only are they embracing their new roles on the offense, they're excited to see what they and the offense as a whole can do come fall.

"It's crazy, because I feel like this (scheme) prepares you for the next level," running back Jawhar Jordan said. "That's just something that I look forward to. I can't wait to see how things end up this season. This offense is definitely explosive."

At first when you look at the scheme's stats on paper, this excitement might not make sense to people when they hear it. Last season, the Boilermakers averaged only 33.29 rushes and 121.0 yards per game, which was good for 97th and 102nd in the FBS.

But when you watch the film on Purdue's offense, it shows that there are very much opportunities to take advantage of. With such a heavy emphasis on the passing attack, it in turn leaves the box a lot less crowded with defenders than it would under a scheme like Satterfield's. It gives running backs a lot more open space to pick up yardage, and Louisville's backs have already taken note.

"We were watching some film yesterday as a matter of fact, looking at some concepts we're putting in," running backs coach Chris Barclay said after Friday's practice. "(Jordan), he stopped me and said, 'Coach, do you usually see five man boxes like that?' I was like, 'Yeah, pretty frequently.' He's like, 'Wow, like that's a dream come true,' and I said, 'Yes, it is.' Because with your speed, that's deadly. Because now they have to decide are they going to spread out and stop the pass? Or are they going to crowd the box and stop the run? I think that's where Coach Brohm comes into play and his play calling, keeping the defense on their heels and off balance."

Even with the running backs getting less carries in the offense, it can still lead to a lot of production. Despite being a walk-on last season, Purdue starting running back Devin Mockobee still was able to rush for 968 yards and nine rushing touchdowns during the 2022 season.

During his time at Western Kentucky, where Brohm routinely threw the ball around like it was going out of style, he was still able to produce a 1,000-yard rusher in all three of his seasons with the Hilltoppers. Leon Allen rushed for 1,542 yards in 2014, Anthony Wales ran for 1,621 yards in 2016, and WKU ranked outside of the top-100 nationally in rushes per game both seasons.

As expected, this system also has a large emphasis on utilizing running backs in the passing game. On top of his almost 1,000-yard season, Mockobee also caught 32 passes for 274 yards. His 32 receptions was good for fourth-most on the team.

Another example is that of running back Zander Horvath. During Purdue's COVID-shortened 2020 season, he ran for 442 yards but also caught 24 passes for 304 yards. He would later get selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.

Barclay calls the passing aspect of a running back's game "critical" in today's modern football.

"That's the football game now," Barclay said. "There are no more Earl Campbell's and things like this. I love them, but they're dinosaurs now. The fact of the matter is, if you can't catch the football as a running back, then you become a fossil. These days, you got to be in a play three downs. Which means you've got to be able to run it, you've got to be able to pass protect, and you've got to be able to catch the football. We've got to be able to deploy you out in routes, and you become an issue and a factor in the passing game. We harp on those things."

Louisville returns two scholarship running backs from last year's roster - Jordan and Maurice Turner - while also bringing in Wisconsin transfer Isaac Guerendo and true freshman Keyjuan Brown. The latter won't make it to campus until the start of the fall semester, so the former three - as well as the walk-ons - have been hard at work adjusting to the new scheme during the spring. From the start spring ball to where they are now, Barclay says the running back room has progressed "exponentially."

"When we first started, it was obviously Ground Zero," he said." They had to get to know me, I had to get to know them, we had to lay down some ground rules. I think they've done a good job of understanding my expectations, and also relaying their expectations of themselves to me. I'm hold them accountable, and I think they've done a really good job of holding each other accountable.

"I've seen a lot of growth from all the guys, from the starter all the way through. They click well together, and they're very close. They're probably the closest group on the team, they do everything together. It's just been an honor to see them really take steps each day in various areas of the game."

Jordan is coming off of a season in which he rushed for 843 yards and four touchdowns despite not seeing consistent until the second half of the season. He and Turner, who himself as a true freshman rushed for 322 yards, were forced into significant late season playing time after injuries to the running back room piled up.

Add in Guerendo to the mix, who rushed for 385 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 17 passes for 115 yards in his final year at Wisconsin, and Barclay and Brohm have solid options to choose from. Add in a scheme that will give them plenty of room to work with, and there is a plethora of potential from the running back spot heading into the 2023 season.

"I think just with how many threats we have outside, that's gonna be what's gonna open up the running lanes," Guerendo said. "Being able to make plays in the pass game, we think that's something that's really going to help us open up lanes. I think that's, really what's important. I think that's what's so special about this offense."