Aaron Jones’ Speed is Key to UTEP’s Offensive Success
Offensive line play UTEP-style has not been as bad as the many years of yore would make one to believe.
Those in-the-trench lumberers of the recent past just didn't have an Aaron Jones coming on through.
Not since running back John Harvey (1985-88) has UTEP had a natural superstar, real runner as is Sophomore Jones. He makes offensive linemen look good, not bad like in years and years ... and back into the decades ago. It's a rare talent who needs a slim tunnel of space to slip through.
For linemen, it's not easy to barge one's chest into a defensive carnivore, and move him away so the ball carrier can get past. Defensive guys can be big and strong, too. But, a back with speed and body balance - the rarely naturally talented - gets that little seam and the lineman amid that play doesn't have to hold his block as long. We're talking one split-second of time here. In baseball they call it a sport of inches. In football it's half-seconds of time.
Jones has gained 596 yards in 89 carries over four games. That's 6.7 yards a carry and a 140-yard average over four games. And he's not the sole back in a multi-talented backfield. Eight games to go for the contingent of more than just Jones.
Without a talented running back, no line is good in running-game stats. With an Aaron Jones, a B-minus offensive line can be an A-plus.
Bottom line: Jones gets through blocked defenders a split-second faster, and that makes for an offensive line that is touted to be better, history will record, than those bumpers and movers of yore.
Joe Muench can be reached at jmuench7@gmail.com.
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