Rajion Neal 1,000 Yards Watch & Stats Extravaganza

[Rifleman]

Rajion Neal Rushing Yards this Season - 1,123



A little history for context (bests in green):

Year - Top Rusher - Yards - Per Carry - Per Game

2008 - Foster - 570 - 4.4 - 51.8
2009 - Hardesty - 1345 - 4.8 - 103.5
2010 - Poole - 1,034 - 5.1 - 79.5
2011 - Poole - 736 - 3.7 - 57.8
2012 - Neal - 741 - 4.5 - 70.8
2013 - Neal - 1,123 - 5.2 - 93.6

Year - Team Rushing per Game vs Opponent Rushing per Game

2008 - 122.9 vs 103.1
2009 - 157.2 vs 149.5
2010 - 109.2 vs 152.5
2011 - 90.1 vs 162.7
2012 - 160.3 vs 188.9
2013 - 188.4 vs 213.5

Year - Team Yards per Carry vs Opponent Yards per Carry

2008 - 3.6 vs 2.8
2009 - 4.3 vs 4.2
2010 - 3.5 vs 4.2
2011 - 2.8 vs 4.4
2012 - 4.7 vs 4.8
2013 - 4.9 vs 5.3

We had the most successful season in recent years running the ball. The last comparable year was 2004, when we ran the ball for 186 yards a game.

Where is Neal on the all time rushing leaderboard? Just passed the great Andy Kozar and Beattie Feathers. Passed Stanley Morgan against Vandy. Legends.

11. Travis Stephens, 1997-01, 2,336
12. Rajion Neal, 2010-2013 2,162
13. Charlie Garner, 1992-93, 2,091
14. Aaron Hayden, 1991-94, 2,061
15. Stanley Morgan, 1973-76, 1,952
16. Gerald Riggs, Jr., 2002-2005, 1,893
17. Beattie "Big Chief" Feathers, 1931-33, 1,888
18. Tauren Poole, 2008-11, 1,883
19. Andy Kozar, 1950-52 1,837
20. Tony Thompson, 1986-90 1,759
21. Haskel Stanback, 1971-73 1,730
22. James Berry, 1978-81 1,721
23. William Howard, 1984-87 1,711
24. Keith Davis, 1985-88 1,704


What did the run defenses we faced allow per game - FBS Rank?

Austin Peay - 237.6 - NA | Vols rushed for 315
Western Kentucky - 161.3 - 62nd | Vols rushed for 240
Oregon - 164.3 - 66th | Vols rushed for 178
Florida - 142.4 - 34th | Vols rushed for 66
South Alabama - 167.9 - 68th | Vols rushed for 278
Georgia - 148.5 - 43rd | Vols rushed for 189
South Carolina - 142.3 - 33rd | Vols rushed for 146
Alabama - 108.3 - 10th | Vols rushed for 127
Missouri - 119.1 - 14th | Vols rushed for 94
Auburn - 157.6 - 56th | Vols rushed for 226
Vanderbilt - 148.0 - 42nd | Vols rushed for 184
Kentucky - 197.3 - 95th | Vols rushed for 218

 

[Volfan2012]

He is fourth in the SEC this season and no doubt if he stays healthy will get well over a 1000 this season. I project him at 1123.

 

[ManningBerry#1]

Great stats! I firmly believe we will use our running game to establish the play action/option read for Mizzou. South Carolina came alive when they, Mizzou, had to take into account Shaw's legs and arm.

If Neal can get into the second level we should see Dobbs and Co. make some plays happen that haven't been used in our scheme as of yet.

 

[chattavol420]

He done Ok this year but what's really odd... That 4.3 speed just doesn't translate to the field. Yesterday he was out I front of everyone on bama d and only got like 40. The whole convey of bama players caught him. He has average speed for a rb

 

[vol2002]

Excellent post. Fine senior season for Raijion that may result in him being a late round NFL pick, particularly since he's got receiving skills as well.

 

[Donger]

Saw
16. Beattie "Big Chief" Feathers, 1931-33, 1,888

Had to Google that one. Glad I did.

 

[Rockytoptalker]

He done Ok this year but what's really odd... That 4.3 speed just doesn't translate to the field. Yesterday he was out I front of everyone on bama d and only got like 40. The whole convey of bama players caught him. He has average speed for a rb

Alabama players are pretty fast themselves

 

[H2O Vol]

Nice post, Rifleman.

1,100 is reasonable. 1,200 is obtainable. Of the remaining reg season gms Mizzou and Aubie's front seven could be present a challenge.

 

[H2O Vol]

He done Ok this year but what's really odd... That 4.3 speed just doesn't translate to the field. Yesterday he was out I front of everyone on bama d and only got like 40. The whole convey of bama players caught him. He has average speed for a rb

AL has good team speed. Consider too, the angle the DB took

 

[Rifleman]

He done Ok this year but what's really odd... That 4.3 speed just doesn't translate to the field. Yesterday he was out I front of everyone on bama d and only got like 40. The whole convey of bama players caught him. He has average speed for a rb

Alabama has only given up 2 plays over 40 yards rushing this year. Neal got one. The other was on a busted assignment against Va Tech.

 

[Rifleman]

Nice post, Rifleman.

1,100 is reasonable. 1,200 is obtainable. Of the remaining reg season gms Mizzou and Aubie's front seven could be present a challenge.

Mizzou is interesting because they allow more passing yards than all but 11 FBS teams.

Why is this? Two reasons.

1) Mizzou has been playing from the front all season. Teams playing catch-up pass more and often abandon the run to manage the clock and get yards quickly.

2) Mizzou's pass rush is their strength, so they want to play to it. Even with a lead, they want the opposing team to pass so they can pressure the QB and get INTs. Therefore they don't play a prevent style which allows the 4 yard run to burn the clock.

I really think our O-line will be able to flip the script on them. We will run the ball and avoid pressure. If we start slow, it will be important not to fall into the trap other teams have. South Carolina solved the puzzle for us, we just have to adapt the solution for our purposes.

 

[H2O Vol]

Mizzou is interesting because they allow more passing yards than all but 11 FBS teams.

Hope you're right about the OL we will need a good effort.

South Carolina avgs 200+ rushing yds/gm. Mizzou held them to 75. Granted Davis turned it over twice.

They are 3rd in the SEC and 16th (FBS) in Run Def and lead the SEC and are tied for 3rd (FBS) in INT's

Mizzou will load the box and dare us to beat them w/ the pass.

No long developing plays. Short quick passes (the occasional lg 'ball) and runs (between the tackles no bouncing or stretching it out).

I agree, be patient running the 'ball.

 

[Rifleman]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=subitX4UiW0[/youtube]

 

[Rifleman]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=566BzgezJ0k[/youtube]

 

[Rifleman]

Hope you're right about the OL we will need a good effort.

South Carolina avgs 200+ rushing yds/gm. Mizzou held them to 75. Granted Davis turned it over twice.

They are 3rd in the SEC and 16th (FBS) in Run Def and lead the SEC and are tied for 3rd (FBS) in INT's

Mizzou will load the box and dare us to beat them w/ the pass.

No long developing plays. Short quick passes (the occasional lg 'ball) and runs (between the tackles no bouncing or stretching it out).

I agree, be patient running the 'ball.

Shaw typically does some damage with his legs in the rush game for the Gamecocks and he could not do that Saturday and was at -8 yards. That really hurt South Carolina.

They ending up passing 56 times, with 9 rushes by QBs (most of which were aborted pass plays, scrambles or sacks).

Spurrier being Spurrier, though, he solved the puzzle. Started hitting Davis out of the backfield with short passes to combat the aggressive d-line play.

The running backs caught 12 balls for 113 yards and that supplanted the run game.

We will be able to hit Lane and Neal out of the backfield, do some hand offs and short stuff to Pig and North, run the ball enough to keep them honest and then abuse that soft secondary.

Hopefully we get a good defensive effort on the road and get the win.

 

[BanditVol]

What are the run defenses we have already faced currently allowing per game - FBS Rank?

Austin Peay - 241.4 - NA | Vols rushed for 315
Western Kentucky - 168.8 - 69th | Vols rushed for 240
Oregon - 130.9 - 25th | Vols rushed for 178
Florida - 100.7 - 9th | Vols rushed for 66
South Alabama - 173.1 - 73rd | Vols rushed for 278
Georgia - 136.7 - 30th | Vols rushed for 189
South Carolina - 144.8 - 44th | Vols rushed for 146
Alabama - 101.9 - 11th | Vols rushed for 127

What just jumps out at the above is how we have exceeded what every single team allows with the exception of Florida...and at the time, before they lost Easley and some other players, Florida was allowing only about 50 rush yards per game. Plus, we had to throw on just about every down in the second half.

Great stats, keep it up. :thumbsup:

 

[lionfoorest]

The 40 yard run vs Bama did no body else see the bulky tape on his left ankle? He doesn't normally wear that... That probably slowed him down some

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

He done Ok this year but what's really odd... That 4.3 speed just doesn't translate to the field. Yesterday he was out I front of everyone on bama d and only got like 40. The whole convey of bama players caught him. He has average speed for a rb

No way Neal is even close to 4.3. If he is then guys like Seastrunk and Drake have 3.0 speed. I like Neal but I have never thought he was that fast. Very tough but not very fast. Like you said, if that we're Drake or Yeldon on that play, nobody would have been within 10 yards of them.

 

[Majorvol23]

Great thread, thanks for posting - felt like we could've had more rush yards against Bama even

 

[Rifleman]

The 40 yard run vs Bama did no body else see the bulky tape on his left ankle? He doesn't normally wear that... That probably slowed him down some

No doubt he was hurting there when he was trying to dig. He has really shown he has guts this year. Neal still got 40+ against Bama with a bad wheel. Will they give up another rushing play like that this year?

I love how they brought North across on that play to stall the linebackers. This scheme is just really smart.

Of course you don't average 4.5 yards per carry against Bama when you really can't pass the ball effectively unless you have everything clicking. Kudos to Coach Jake, the receivers making blocks, and an incredible O-line.

 

[Rifleman]

All stats in the original post have been updated. Neal was not a significant part of the offense against Mizzou, as we got behind and abandoned the run and he seemed less effective compared to Lane.

 

[vosams]

Raijon Neal has 1,934 rushing yards for his career. He is 13th all time, Just passed Poole and Riggs Jr. this afternoon. If he plays GREAT vs Vandy and UK he could surpass Travis Stephens 2,336 yards and CRACK THE TOP 10.

 

[NomadVol]

Surprised. The last couple of games, I thought we were hit & miss running the ball. Nice to see this. If the run game was more consistent I think we would score more. Still I hope they finish strong.

 

[Rifleman]

Rajion Neal Rushing Yards this Season - 895
Rushing Yards Needed to get to 1,000 - 105
Rajion Neal Rushing Yards FBS Rank - 28th
Rajion Neal Rushing TDs this Season - 10
Rajion Neal Rushing TDs FBS Rank - 27th
Rajion Neal All Purpose Yards - 988


Neal now needs 53 yards a game to hit 1,000 this season in the final 2 games. Since he is the only rusher likely to hit 1,000, this thread replaces this one:

http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/203967-1-000-yard-rusher-watch-countdown.html

A little history for context (bests in green):

Year - Top Rusher - Yards - Per Carry - Per Game

2008 - Foster - 570 - 4.4 - 51.8
2009 - Hardesty - 1345 - 4.8 - 103.5
2010 - Poole - 1034 - 5.1 - 79.5
2011 - Poole - 736 - 3.7 - 57.8
2012 - Neal - 741 - 4.5 - 70.8
2013 - Neal - 895 - 5.2 - 89.5

Year - Team Rushing per Game vs Opponent Rushing per Game

2008 - 122.9 vs 103.1
2009 - 157.2 vs 149.5
2010 - 109.2 vs 152.5
2011 - 90.1 vs 162.7
2012 - 160.3 vs 188.9
2013 - 185.9 vs 225.9

Year - Team Yards per Carry vs Opponent Yards per Carry

2008 - 3.6 vs 2.8
2009 - 4.3 vs 4.2
2010 - 3.5 vs 4.2
2011 - 2.8 vs 4.4
2012 - 4.7 vs 4.8
2013 - 5.0 vs 5.5

So far, we are having the most successful season in recent years running the ball. The last comparable year was 2004, when we ran the ball for 186 yards a game.

Where is Neal on the all time rushing leaderboard? Just passed the great Andy Kozar and Beattie Feathers. Should pass and Stanley Morgan against Vandy. Legends.

14. Stanley Morgan, 1973-76, 1,952
15. Rajion Neal, 2010-2013 1,934
16. Gerald Riggs, Jr., 2002-2005, 1,893
17. Beattie "Big Chief" Feathers, 1931-33, 1,888
18. Tauren Poole, 2008-11, 1,883
19. Andy Kozar, 1950-52 1,837
20. Tony Thompson, 1986-90 1,759
21. Haskel Stanback, 1971-73 1,730
22. James Berry, 1978-81 1,721
23. William Howard, 1984-87 1,711
24. Keith Davis, 1985-88 1,704

What are the run defenses we will face currently allowing per game - FBS Rank?

Vanderbilt - 148.8 - 45th
Kentucky - 200.4 - 100th

What are the run defenses we have already faced currently allowing per game - FBS Rank?

Austin Peay - 225.2 - NA | Vols rushed for 315
Western Kentucky - 171.2 - 75th | Vols rushed for 240
Oregon - 146.8 - 40th | Vols rushed for 178
Florida - 109.7 - 16th | Vols rushed for 66
South Alabama - 175.1 - 79th | Vols rushed for 278
Georgia - 126 - 20th | Vols rushed for 189
South Carolina - 145.3 - 38th | Vols rushed for 146
Alabama - 95.3 - 5th | Vols rushed for 127
Missouri - 111.9 - 16th | Vols rushed for 94
Auburn - 155.6 - 57th | Vols rushed for 226

Rajion Neal needs only 105 yards to reach 1,000 after a good effort yesterday. He is now the 15th on the all-time rusher list. All stats in the original post have been updated.

We are on track to have one of our best years running the ball in a very long time.

Unfortunately, we also have one of our worst ever run defenses.

 

[YankeeVol]

#VolFact: Rajion Neal is 5th in the @SEC and 28th in the @ncaastats in rushing yards with 895