Love getting lots of help up front to break loose
On the first two of Bryce Love’s three long touchdown runs against Arizona State on Saturday, you could have driven a bus through the holes. On the third, you could have driven, well, a pickup truck through it.
Tailbacks who run for spectacular touchdowns appropriately credit their blockers, although sometimes it seems like a bromide. Love’s three touchdowns not only were well conceived, but they also were beautifully blocked.
Head coach David Shaw called the game the most complete performance by the offensive line this season, helping Love rush for a school-record 301 yards on 25 carries.
Through five games, Love has rushed for a nation-leading 1,088 yards — more than 111 other FBS Only three other players in the history of college football have had more yards through the first five games.
His best run against ASU might have been a 39-yarder to ignite a touchdown drive in the second quarter. As Love went up the middle, defensive end Abraham Thompson had both arms around him, but Love broke free. Defensive back Chase Lucas grabbed him, too high, at the Stanford 38. For the next 26 yards, Lucas was taken for a ride by Love before finding a way to bring down the powerful back.
Tight end Dalton Schultz had key blocks on all three TD runs, more than making up for the fumble he lost near the ASU goal line on a 31-yard completion from K.J. Costello. Freshman left tackle Walker Little and Nick Wilson, who plays the “ogre,” or extra offensive-lineman role, had key blocks on two of the runs.
Here’s a look at each of Love’s three TD runs: First quarter, 61 yards: Stanford had no wide receivers on the play. Love shot through a huge hole off left tackle, thanks to key blocks from pulling right guard Brandon Fanaika, Schultz, Little, fullback Daniel Marx and Wilson.
Fanaika was playing in place of starter Nate Herbig, who was out with an undisclosed ailment. At the ASU 25, Love shook off safety Chad Adams, the only Sun Devil who touched him on the play. Second quarter, 43 yards: From the shotgun formation, Love took a handoff and went around the open left side. The key blocks at the point of attack came from Little and Schultz.
Wide receiver Connor Wedington took his defender deep, then came back to block defensive end Alani Latu. Wide receiver Trent Irwin also went deep and sealed off cornerback Kobe Wlliams. Again, only Adams touched Love on the play; Love shook him off — again — at the 25. Third quarter, 59 yards: Love took a pitch and ran through a big hole at right tackle. Right tackle A.T. Hall, Wilson, Marx and Schultz delivered key blocks, and Irwin again sealed off Williams downfield.
Linebacker D.J. Calhoun charged into the backfield unblocked, but was out of position as Love shot past him. Left guard David Bright pulled to the right, but the play was so well blocked that he had nobody to hit. “Thankfully, he moved aside” to let Love through, Shaw said. Defensive back Demonte King briefly had an angle, but Love was much too fast for him to catch.