Precursor for Four Downs with RBs

Before we jump into the Four Downs with the running backs, let's run some numbers for Iowa's three main backs in 2013.

One note: Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue and the Outback Bowl didn't record in box scores which direction runs went. I went back and looked up the ISU game. Didn't do the others, so the percentages have been adjusted for carries in games where direction of the play is recorded in the box score play-by-play.

This is mostly gibberish. I just wanted to see if there were any patterns.

M 2 yards (SG), R 4 yards, R 11 yards, L no gain, R 2 yards, M 4 yards (SG), L 10 yards, M 2 yards (SG), L 6 yards, M 1 yard, M 14 yards, M 1 yard, M 6 yards, L 3 yards, L 6 yards (SG), L 15 yards (SG), M 3 yards (SG), L 4 yards (SG), M 5 yards (SG), R 1 yard (SG). Totals -- 20 carries for 100 yards (5.0 yards per, 15 long). Middle: 9 (45 percent); Right: 4 (20 percent); Left: 7 (35 percent). Negative carries: 0. Shot gun formation: 9 (45 percent). 0-4 yards -- 12 (60 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (20 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 4 (20 percent).

L 2 yards, M 21 yards, L 3 yards, L 1 yard, L -2 yards, L 8 yards, M 2 yards, L 4 yards (SG), M 5 yards, M 4 yards, M 2 yards, L 5 yards, R no gain, L 37 yards, L 3 yards, M no gain, R 10 yards (SG), M 6 yards, R 3 yards, M 5 yards, M 6 yards, M 4 yards, L 8 yards, L 1 yard, M 5 yards, R -1 yard, R -1 yard, M 6 yards, L 29 yards. Totals -- 30 carries for 180 yards (6.0 yards per, 37 long). Middle: 12 (40 percent); Right: 6 (20 percent); Left: 12 (40 percent). Negative carries: 3 (10 percent).  Shot gun formation: 2 (6.6 percent). 0-4 yards -- 17 (56.6 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 9 (30 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (3.3 percent); 16+ -- 3 (10 percent).

L 13 yards, L 6 yards, L 3 yards, M 4 yards, M 7 yards, L 3 yards, M 2 yards, R 3 yards, R 5 yards, L 3 yards, L 7 yards, M 4 yards, R 4 yards, M 7 yards, R 1 yard, M yards, R 1 yard, R 3 yards, M 1 yard, R 6 yards, R 3 yards, M 3 yards, R 2 yards, R 4 yards, L 12 yards, R 2 yards, R 2 yards, L 1 yard, L 12 yards, R 1 yard, L -2 yards, L 6 yards, L 5 yards, R 4 yards, R -1 yards. Totals -- 35 carries for 145 yards (4.1 yards per, 13 long). Middle: 8 (22.8 percent); Right: 15 (42.8 percent); Left: 12 (34.2 percent). Negative carries: 2 (5.7 percent). 0-4 yards -- 23 (66 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 9 (25 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 3 (9 percent).

L 8 yards, L no gain, L 3 yards, R -2, M 5 yards, R 1 yard, M 6 yards, R 14 yards, R 4 yards, L 4 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 43 yards (4.3 yards per, 14 long). Middle: 2 (20 percent); Right: 4 (40 percent); Left: 4 (40 percent). Negative carries: 1 (10 percent). Shot gun formation: 2 (20 percent). 0-4 yards -- 5 (50 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 3 (30 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (10 percent).

10, 1 , 19 ,5, 11, 5, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 7, 18, no gain, -1, 3, 15, 9, 8, 14, -2, 5, 4, 7. Totals -- 24 carries for 147 yards (6.1 yards per, 19 long). Negative carries: 2 (8 percent). 0-4 yards -- 12 (50 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 7 (29 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 4 (17 percent); 16+ -- 2 (8 percent).

L 4 yards, R -1 yard, L no gain, M 2 yards, L 2 yards, M 1 yard, R 1 yard. Totals -- 7 carries for 9 yards (1.3 yards per carry, 4 long). Middle: 2 (29 percent); Left: 3 (43 percent); Right: 2 (29 percent). Negative carries: 1 (11 percent). Shot gun formation: 3 (33 percent). 0-4 yards -- 7 (100 percent).

M 4 yards, M 5 yards, R 3 yards, L 5 yards, R 9 yards, M 2 yards, R 5 yards, M 12 yards, R 4 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 52 yards (5.2 yards per, 12 long). Middle: 4 (40 percent); Right: 4 (40 percent); Left: 2 (20 percent). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 5 (50 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (40 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (10 percent).

L 11 yards, M 9 yards, M 9 yards, L 3 yards, L 3 yards, M 4 yards, L 6 yards, L no gain, L 3 yards, L 2 yards, R -2 yards, M 2 yards, M 6 yards. Totals -- 13 carries for 56 yards (4.3 yards per carry, 11 long). Middle: 5 (38 percent); Left: 7 (54 percent); Right: 1 (8 percent). Negative carries: 1 (8 percent). 0-4 yards -- 8 (62 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (31 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (8 percent).

M 8 yards, M 6 yards, L 2 yards, R -2 yards, M 3 yards, R 2 yards, L -1 yard, R -2 yards, L -1 yard. Totals -- 9 carries for 15 yards (1.7 yards per carry, 8 long). Middle: 3 (33 percent); Right: 3 (33 percent); Left: 3 (33 percent). Negative carries: 4 (27 percent). 0-4 yards -- 7 (78 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 2 (22 percent).

9, 5, -4, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2. Totals -- 9 carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per carry, 9 long). Negative carries: 1 (11 percent). 0-4 yards -- 7 (78 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 2 (22 percent).

L 11 yards, R no gain, R 2 yards, L 4 yards, M 5 yards, L 20 yards, L 1 yard, R 6 yards, R 2 yards, L -1, M 4 yards, M 9 yards, L 4 yards, R -1 yard, L 22 yards, L -2 yards, M 2 yards. Totals -- 17 carries for 88 yards (5.2 yards per, 22 long). Middle: 4 (24 percent); Right: 5 (29 percent); Left: 8 (47 percent). Negative carries: 3 (18 percent). 0-4 yards -- 11 (65 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 2 (12 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (6 percent); 16+ -- 2 (12 percent).

L 5 yards, L 4 yards, R 11 yards, L 5 yards, R 4 yards, R 4 yards, L no gain, L -3 yards, R 4 yards, L 11 yards, L 1 yard, L 3 yards, R -1 yard, R 5 yards, R 2 yards, L 2 yards, L -1 yard, L 1 yard, L -2 yards, M 10 yards, R no gain, R 5 yards. Totals -- 24 carries for 72 yards (3.0 yards per, 11 long). Middle: 1 (4 percent); Right: 9 (38 percent); Left: 13 (54 percent). Negative carries: 4 (17 percent). 0-4 yards -- 16 (67 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (17 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 3 (13 percent).

3, 6, 1, 2, 2, -2, 2, no gain, 4, 7, -1, -1, 2, 2, -1, 2, 7, 2. Totals -- 18 carries for 37 yards (2.1 yards per carry, 7 long). Negative carries: 4 (22 percent). 0-4 yards -- 15 (83 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 3 (17 percent).

Totals -- 226 carries for 974 yards (4.1 yards per carry, 37 long). Middle (in the games where this was tracked via box score): 50 (28 percent); Right: 48 (27 percent); Left: 71 (40 percent). Negative carries: 26 (11.5 percent). 0 to 4 yards (all games): 145 (64 percent); 5 to 9 yards: 53 (23.4 percent); 10 to 15 yards: 19 (8.4 percent); 16+ -- 7 (3 percent).

Patterns -- Perhaps the early workload took a toll. The numbers suggest it, but remember, Weisman was beat up (foot injury, elbow sprain, pectoral something) against Michigan State, which was the No. 2 rush defense in the nation last season. Iowa ran Weisman to the left a lot. The negative carries number will look high in relation to the other two backs, but Weisman was the workhorse. He took 41 percent of Iowa's carries. He led Iowa in 16-plus runs. He also had a ton of 4-yard carries, as the 4.1 average shows. Weisman also was used in a ton of short-yardage situations, especially after the injuries mounted post-Michigan State.

M 4 yards, R 9 yards, R 2 yards, L 9 yards (SG), M 1 yard (SG), L 8 yards, R 1 yard, R 3 yards, L 1 yard (SG), R 7 yards, M 10 yards, R 2 yards, M 7 yards, M 1 yard, R 2 yards, L 7 yards (SG), M 2 yards. Totals -- 17 carries for 76 yards (4.5 yards per, 10 long). Middle: 6 (35 percent); Right: 7 (41 percent); Left: 4 (23.5 percent). Negative carries: 0.  Shot gun formation: 4 (23.5 percent). 0-4 yards -- 10 (59 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 6 (35.2 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (5.8 percent).

R -4 yards, R no gain, L 9 yards, R 7 yards, L 4 yards, R 4 yards, R 3 yards, L 14 yards, M 5 yards, R -2 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 40 yards (4.0 yards per, 14 long). Middle: 1 (10 percent); Right: 6 (60 percent); Left: 3 (30 percent). Negative carries: 2 (20 percent).  Shot gun formation: 0. 0-4 yards -- 6 (60 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 3 (30 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (10 percent)

R 5 yards, M 1 yard, R 2 yards, L 8 yards, M 1 yard, L 1 yard, M no gain, L 7 yards, R 4 yards, L 4 yards, M 8 yards, M 9 yards, M no gain. Totals -- 13 carries for 50 yards (3.8 yards per, 9 long). Middle: 6 (46 percent); Right: 3 (23 percent); Left: 4 (31 percent). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 8 (62 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 5 (38 percent).

R -2 yards, L 5 yards, M 1 yard, L -2 yards, R 11 yards, R 4 yards, R 1 yard, L 5 yards, L 8 yards, M 6 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 37 yards (3.7 yards per, 11 long). Middle: 2 (20 percent); Right: 5 (50 percent); Left: 3 (30 percent). Negative carries: 2 (20 percent).  Shot gun formation: 1 (10 percent). 0-4 yards -- 4 (40 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (40 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (10 percent).

11, 3, no gain, 4, 5 -3, 3, 22, 1, no gain, 1. Totals -- 11 carries for 47 yards (4.3 yards per, 22 long). Negative carries: 1 (9 percent). 0-4 yards -- 8 (73 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (9 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (9 percent); 16+ -- 1 (9 percent).

M 2 yards, L 1 yard, L 2 yards, M 1 yard. Totals -- 4 carries for 6 yards (1.5 yards per carry, 2 long). Middle: 2 (50 percent); Right: 0; Left: 2 (50 percent). Negative carries: 0. Shot gun formation: 1 (17 percent). 0-4 yards -- 4 (100 percent).

R 2 yards, L 10 yards, M 2 yards, L 12 yards, M 4 yards, L 10 yards, L 7 yards, L 1 yard, L 6 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 56 yards (5.6 yards per, 12 long). Middle: 2 (20 percent); Right: 1 (10 percent); Left: 7 (70 percent). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 5 (50 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 2 (20 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 3 (30 percent).

L 6 yards, L 3 yards, L 2 yards, M 7 yards, R 3 yards, L 7 yards, M no gain, R 2 yards, L 5 yards, L 4 yards, L 1 yard, L -1 yard, M 3 yards, M 5 yards, L 2 yards, M 2 yards, R 1 yard. Totals -- 17 carries for 52 yards (3.1 yards per carry, 7 long).  Middle: 5 (29 percent); Right: 3 (18 percent); Left: 9 (53 percent). Negative carries: 1 (6 percent). 0-4 yards -- 12 (70 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 5 (29 percent).

L 2 yards, R 1 yard, L 4 yards (SG), L 2 yards, M -2 yards, L -1 yard. Totals -- 6 carries for 6 yards (1.0 yards per carry, 4 long). Middle: 1 (17 percent); Right: 1 (17 percent); Left: 4 (67 percent). Negative carries: 2 (33 percent). Shotgun formation: 1 (17 percent). 0-4 yards -- 6 (100 percent).

No gain, 15 yards, 11 yards, 3 yards, 7 yards, 8 yards, 15 yards, 12 yards, 8 yards, 6 yards. Totals -- 10 carries for 85 yards (8.5 yards per carry, 15 long). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 2 (20 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 4 (40 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 4 (40 percent).

L 2 yards, L -1 yard, L 3 yards, L 8 yards. Totals -- 4 carries for 12 yards (3.0 yards per, 8 long). Middle: 0; Right: 0; Left: 4 (100 percent). Negative carries: 1 (25 percent). 0-4 yards -- 3 (75 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (25 percent).

L -3 yards, L 5 yards, R -2 yards. Totals -- 3 carries for 0 yards (0.0 yards per, 5 long). Middle: 0; Right: 1 (33 percent); Left: 2 (67 percent). Negative carries: 2 (67 percent). 0-4 yards -- 2 (67 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (33 percent).

-1, 2, -1. Totals -- 3 carries for 0 yards (0.0 yards per carry, 2 long). Negative carries: 2 (67 percent). 0-4 yards -- 3 (100 percent).

Totals -- 118 carries for 467 yards (3.96 yards per carry; 22 long). Middle (in games where direction was recorded via box score): 26 (27 percent); Right: 27 (28 percent); Left: 42 (43 percent). Negative carries: 13 (11 percent). 0 to 4 yards -- 73 (62 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 32 (27 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 11 (9 percent); 16+ -- 1 (.08 percent).

Patterns -- Not really any. Bullock is an edge back. He's also Iowa's receiving specialist in the backfield. He led Iowa's receivers with 20 receptions and earned praise from coaches for pass blocking.

M 4 yards, L 2 yards. Totals -- 2 carries for 6 yards (3.0 yards per, 4 long). Middle: 1 (50 percent); Right: 0; Left: 1 (50 percent). Negative carries: 0.  Shot gun formation: 0. 0-4 yards -- 2 (100 percent).

M 10 yards (SG), L 3 yards, R no gain. Totals -- 3 carries for 13 yards (4.3 yards per, 10 long). Middle: 1 (33 percent); Right: 1 (33 percent); Left: 1 (33 percent). Negative carries: 0.  Shot gun formation: 1 (33 percent). 0-4 yards -- 2 (66 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (33 percent)

L 9 yards, R no gain, M 1 yard. Totals -- 3 carries for 10 yards (3.3 yards per, 9 long). Middle: 1 (33.3 percent); Right: 1 (33.3 percent); Left: 1 (33.3 percent). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 2 (66.6 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (33.33 percent).

M -1, M 5 yards, R 4 yards, M 8 yards, M 3 yards, M 4 yards, R 1 yard, L 8 yards, L 16 yards, R 6 yards, L 6 yards, R 2 yards, R 11 yards. Totals -- 13 carries for 73 yards (5.6 yards per, 16 long). Middle: 5 (38 percent); Right: 5 (38 percent); Left: 3 (23 percent). Negative carries: 1 (8 percent).  Shot gun formation: 5 (38 percent). 0-4 yards -- 6 (46 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 5 (38 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (8 percent); 16+ -- 1 (8 percent).

9, 1, 3. Totals -- 3 carries for 13 yards (4.3 yards per, 22 long). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 2 (67 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (33 percent).

No carries.

No carries

No carries

M 43 yards, R 5 yards, R no gain, M 5 yards, M 5 yards (SG). Totals -- 5 carries for 58 yards (11.6 yards per carry, 43 long). Middle: 3 (60 percent); Right: 2 (33 percent); Left: 0. Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 1 (20 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 3 (60 percent); 16+ -- 1 (20 percent).

14, 7, 9, 3, 7, 6, 6, 2, 6, 15, 2, 16, 11, 6, 4, 6, 12, 11, no gain, 18. Totals -- 20 carries for 165 yards (8.2 yards per carry, 18 long). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 5 (25 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 8 (40 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 5 (25 percent); 16+ -- 2 (10 percent).

R 10 yards, R 2 yards, M -2 yards, M 12 yards, R 3 yards, L 2 yards, L 3 yards, R -1 yard, L 5 yards, M 8 yards, R 6 yards, R 2 yards. Totals -- 12 carries for 50 yards (4.2 yards per, 12 long). Middle: 3 (25 percent); Right: 6 (50 percent); Left: 3 (25 percent). Negative carries: 2 (17 percent). 0-4 yards -- 7 (58 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 3 (25 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 2 (17 percent).

M 10 yards, R 2 yards, L 6 yards, R 2 yards, L 37 yards, M 2 yards. Totals -- 6 carries for 59 yards (9.8 yards per, 37 long). Middle: 2 (33 percent); Right: 2 (33 percent); Left: 2 (33 percent). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 3 (50 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 1 (17 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (17 percent); 16+ -- 1 (17 percent).

2, 3, 6, 13, 1, 4, 5. Totals -- 7 carries for 34 yards (4.9 yards per carry, 13 long). Negative carries: 0. 0-4 yards -- 4 (57 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 2 (29 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 1 (14 percent).

Totals -- 74 carries for 481 yards (6.50 yards per carry; 43 long). Middle (in games where direction was recorded via box score): Middle: 16 (36 percent); Right: 17 (39 percent); Left: 11 (25 percent). Negative carries: 2 (3 percent). 0 to 4 yards -- 34 (46 percent); 5 to 9 yards -- 22 (30 percent); 10 to 15 yards -- 13 (18 percent); 16+ -- 5 (7 percent).

Patterns -- Of course, you love the production, even if it is a small sample size (68 percent of Canzeri's carries came in Iowa's final five games). One thing about direction, it appears Canzeri doesn't favor any one way. He can maneuver. Just two negative carries.