Granted, ISU's defensive front isn't great (though its not nearly as bad as their secondary), but we are showing improvement as the season goes along. Prince's philosophy is definately different (rotating so many bodies) for the oline, but that might just be part of the building prosess for this season. I think our technique in zone blocking is getting much better, but we still need to work on leverage and maintaining the LOS. We are more assignment sound in that we aren't leaving people unblocked as much, but what ISU was doing to hurt our running game was simply having their DTs force our OG or OT into the backfield on stretch plays. We don't have to push guys 5 yards off the LOS, but we at least need to maintain it if not gain a couple yard push for Johnson/Patton to find seams and gain positive yardage. The cutback for the score is evidence we're getting better at sealing the backside and allowing the cutback lane for out backs.
I thought a big positive last week was our backs picking up blitzes as well. Patton and Johnson each had a big block or two that allowed Freeman time to hit open recievers down field.
CU's defense will be a stiffer test and a better measuring stick. Hopefully we continue to see progress these last 3 games.
