Between Hyde, Elliott, a clash of the Buckeyes
In his 41-game career at Ohio State, 49ers running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 3,198 yards and 37 touchdowns.
In his 35-game career at Ohio State, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 3,961 yards and 43 scores.
In 2014, Hyde was drafted in the second round, the third running back selected. In April, Elliott became the third running back since 2006 to be selected with a top-four overall pick.
Hyde had his first 100yard game in the NFL in the first game of his second season. Elliott had his first 100-yard game Sunday in his third NFL start.
You get the idea: Elliott, who was among Hyde’s understudies at Ohio State in 2013, has made a habit of overshadowing his mentor’s accomplishments in recent years.
On Sunday, however, Hyde will have a chance to top the rookie he terms his “little brother” when the 49ers host the Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. It will mark the first time the former teammates and close friends will be on opposite sidelines.
On Thursday, Hyde did everything but yawn when asked about the meeting, saying “he wasn’t really paying too much attention” to the game when the NFL schedule was released.
“I was more excited playing against Seattle last week than playing against Zeke this week,” Hyde said. “I’m not playing against him. Bo is playing against him.”
For his part, Bo — that would be All-Pro inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman — suggested Elliott’s presence Sunday will be significant to Hyde.
“Oh, yeah,” Bowman said. “I think Carlos had him underneath his wing for sure at Ohio State. So he can’t let the young guy get the best of (him). I think Carlos will be holding this one special in his heart.”
Bowman would know. On Sunday, he’ll share the field with Cowboys inside linebacker Sean Lee, his teammate at Penn State who was selected in the second round in 2010, one round ahead of Bowman.
Bowman and Lee, a Pro Bowl selection last year, are among a host of NFL standouts from “Linebacker U.” And Hyde and Elliott are the latest accomplished running backs from Ohio State: The school has produced 13 first-round running backs and nine draft picks at the position that have appeared in a Pro Bowl.
Hyde and Elliott appear destined to add to that Pro Bowl list. Elliott is tied for second in the NFL in rushing yards (274), while Hyde ranks 11th (225) and shares the league lead in rushing touchdowns (4).
Both credit the other for some of their success.
Elliott, who was a freshman during Hyde’s final season at Ohio State, said he studied Hyde closely and learned how to incorporate more power. Both are listed at 6-0 and the 235-pound Hyde is 10 pounds heavier than Elliott.
“I saw how physical he was and how good he was after contact,” Elliott told reporters. “… Just kind of getting those yards after contact, working on my pad level. I watched a lot of film of him from (2013).”
Hyde noted Elliott arrived at Ohio State as a selfless back who blocked as hard as he ran. This week, Bowman noted, without prompting, that Elliott was an effective pass-blocker.
“He came in and set the tone with that, without the ball, running down the field, throwing a cut block, throwing a block for somebody down the field,” Hyde said. “… He changed our runningback room at Ohio State with that.”
Both backs figure to receive plenty of work Sunday.
The Cowboys are unlikely to have Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant, who has a hairline fracture in his knee, and his absence could make an offense that includes rookie quarterback Dak Prescott even more runoriented.
Meanwhile, the 49ers could be eager to run against a defense that ranks 29th in the NFL in yards allowed per rushing attempt (5.0). The 49ers’ first three opponents — Los Angeles, Carolina and Seattle — each rank among the league’s top seven in that category.
Given the amount of action they could receive, it’s a good thing the exteammates will be in different uniforms Sunday: Otherwise, it might be hard to tell them apart.
“I think they’re pretty similar,” Bowman said. “Carlos is just a little bigger, after contact there’s a little bit more yards. After that, you can tell they were probably coached by the same running backs coach.” Injury report: Cornerback Jimmie Ward (quadricep) has been ruled out and tight ends Vance McDonald (hip) and Garrett Celek (back) are questionable. Cowboys starting guard La’el Collins (toe) is out. Their starting tackles, Doug Free (quadricep) and Tyron Smith (back) are questionable. Smith did not practice during the week.