Times: USF Bulls' Darrell Scott can't resist hurdling defenders

[USFishin]

USF Bulls' Darrell Scott can't resist hurdling defenders

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, September 12, 2011

TAMPA - The first time RB Darrell Scott tried to hurdle a Ball State defender Saturday, he took a shoulder pad to an area of the body not intended for such a collision and was doubled over on the sideline for the next two plays.

"It took like 20 minutes for me to get right again," Scott said Sunday, laughing about his 82-yard effort in his first USF home game. "Besides that, I think I hit the holes right. I didn't let the first tackler put me down. I just let the line open up the holes. That was the main thing."

But Scott tried it again -twice - and hurdled a safety in a 31-yard run that was the Bulls' longest play in the 37-7 rout, setting up his own short touchdown run.

"I just need to settle down a little bit," Scott said. "It was too many, and people are going to think I'm always hurdling, which isn't the case. Just (Saturday) night, it just happened."

Scott is about 240 pounds, so as coach Skip Holtz pointed out, there are alternatives to taking to the air when a would-be tackler is approaching.

"I don't know if he's trying to become a hurdle champion or what," Holtz said. "When you're 245 pounds, you run through people. You don't jump over them. He's trying to hurdle everybody out there. He said 'I did it in high school all the time,' and I said "This isn't high school anymore.' But he's a talented player, and it's nice to get him some carries."

It was Scott's first touchdown since his college debut in August 2008 at Colorado. He transferred to USF last year.

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[DELdaBull]

We do need some help in track and field 

[BDYZR]

I don't think you need to coach reaction out of a player that has positive results.

[bucbull70]

I don't think you need to coach reaction out of a player that has positive results.

I'd say have him tone it down just a tad. It's a very high risk play

[Bullpride08]

I must say Scott looked much better then against ND.  I know competition is easier but against ND Scott was trying to hard to be 'elusive' and run around the outside instead of planting and cutting up field with that big body.  The moment he did his first 'hurdler' impression I told people around me he needs to stop that and just get that pad level down and lower the boom on that DB-- he outweighed that DB by at least 20lbs.  He's going to get hurt doing that.

His quotes above it's clear that Mr. Scott needs to remember that he ate himself out of the 'scatback' 'hurdler' class.  He's now grown into a gigantic power back.  That means on every down he's got to bring "IT," and Chris Speilman would always say when announcing a game "RUN ANGRY BIG FELLA."  Once Scott learns to run hard and tough on every carry he's going to be a force.  He was 6ft 200lbs in HS as a five star, he's now around 6-1 245lbs, he's got to get comfortable with the idea he's not the same back he use to be...at UC he was onl 220lbs.  He's now a rare big back that needs to punish tacklers.

[BullFan98]

I don't think you need to coach reaction out of a player that has positive results.

I'd say have him tone it down just a tad. It's a very high risk play

+1 Even though he is a big guy, the hurdle move is cause for concern, especially since he does it a lot and every opponent watching film will be prepared for this.  I do not want to see him get hurt nor can we afford him to get hurt. 

[Bullpride08]

I don't think you need to coach reaction out of a player that has positive results.

I'd say have him tone it down just a tad. It's a very high risk play

+1 Even though he is a big guy, the hurdle move is cause for concern, especially since he does it a lot and every opponent watching film will be prepared for this.  I do not want to see him get hurt nor can we afford him to get hurt. 

His play against ND, these hurdles, and added with his quotes in this article it's clear that Scott needs to learn what type of back he is and that's why Skip is saying this too.  The staff mentioned he was tenative against ND, attempted to out-run, and be elusive.  When you're 245lbs with his feet, and balance he just needs to run angry.  If Scott starts believing he's a back he's not then his effectiveness will be limited.  This is Skip and Todds' way of slowly corraling this young buck and reminding him he's not the same dude he was in HS.  He ate a 2nd grader between then and now...so he needs to give up the high hurdle tricks, and trying to beat DE's and LB's around the edge.  Get up field biggum and you'll be a mighty fine RB, attempt to dance to much and you'll be like Mike Ford was for a few years at USF.

[DELdaBull]

Come on Pride. Ford wasn't a dancer, he just couldn't keep his ass eligible and get on the field.

[Bullpride08]

Come on Pride. Ford wasn't a dancer, he just couldn't keep his *** eligible and get on the field.

Are you kidding me after his first year he'd do tap dances in the backfield at times.  I saw quite a few times where he'd get tackled and turn his shoulder...a big no-no as a RB, lower the pad level, get butt low and hit the tackler with your shoulder pads square to the LOS, and never stop moving your feet.  Ford was a walking billboard of poor technique, he'd get away with it at times just because he was so darn big.  After Ford's ankle injury he ran quite tenatively then his freshman year.  I didn't really see him get that form back until the International Bowl.  Even then Ford always had a problem getting his pad level low, and butt level and really punishing runners.  I am hoping for Scott to do more of that.  What I do like about Scott is he runs with more of that RB squat you see, butt low, shoulders low and leaning forward...I am sure you know what I am talking about.  Now Scott needs to get that mind-set of running angry and he could be special.

[bulls phanatic]

This guy is better than Ford