On Noah Cain......

[LaJolla Lion]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

 

[wlawn]

Aaron Harris maybe

 

[ram2020]

Yeah, I have been thinking about that too. He is kind of unique. He runs like a 225 pound back, but he is on the smaller side. I suppose he is plenty fast, but he doesn't seem particularly quick. He kind of picks his spots a little and then has some acceleration. He is faster than the defenses seem to think he is. Man, imagine another couple years in Galt's weightroom. I think his next elevation is probably a little more speed and a little more weight then he could be an all timer.

 

[Cpeplion]

Aaron Harris maybe

Not sure I'd throw Aaron Harris out there yet..he was a stud and would have been a first rounder if he didn't get hurt......I would say he is kinda like Tony Hunt but probably a bit faster

 

[artsandletters]

Not sure I'd throw Aaron Harris out there yet..he was a stud and would have been a first rounder if he didn't get hurt......I would say he is kinda like Tony Hunt but probably a bit faster

I’m faster than Tony Hunt but Tony got it done.

 

[tboyer]

I don't think we've seen enough to really characterize. What we do know is -- outstanding ability to read defense and blocking and make good decisions. And tremendous lower body strength -- drives tacklers and carries them. And very good speed to the edge. Also seems pretty solid in protection.

He might be elusive in open field too, we just haven't seen enough to know what he can do.

 

[rmem]

His vision and feel to make just the right small cut at exactly the right time is uncanny. He always makes 2-5 extra yards if he is not stopped right at the LOS (blocking). Seems to always make more yards than he should on most plays, and you need a first down? Give him the ball. Just imagine if 4 plays were implemented with the qb under center in short yardage situations. Yet we don't do it.

 

[tarponlion]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

Oh Geez, not Royster. Tony Hunt is a good comparison

 

[PSU.:.]

His vision is some of best I seen at PSU. He can find the smallest spaces to run threw

 

[mn78psu83]

His vision and feel to make just the right small cut at exactly the right time is uncanny. He always makes 2-5 extra yards if he is not stopped right at the LOS (blocking). Seems to always make more yards than he should on most plays, and you need a first down? Give him the ball. Just imagine if 4 plays were implemented with the qb under center in short yardage situations. Yet we don't do it.

^^THIS!^^

There are plays where there seems to be nothing and he gets positive yardage with a running efficiency (reading blocks and making small adjustments in pace and direction in small spaces) that is rare to see.

 

[CoastGuard2018]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

 

[mn78psu83]

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

Best comparison so far.

 

[duber]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

I don't care who he compares to, just leave him on the damn field lol!!!

 

[Nitwit97]

His vision and feel to make just the right small cut at exactly the right time is uncanny. He always makes 2-5 extra yards if he is not stopped right at the LOS (blocking). Seems to always make more yards than he should on most plays, and you need a first down? Give him the ball. Just imagine if 4 plays were implemented with the qb under center in short yardage situations. Yet we don't do it.

Hell, we were in shotgun just to down the ball at the end of the half!! I never saw that before.

Is stamina an issue with Cain? He got a nice workload at Iowa, but Is that the only reason I can see for him not getting more snaps. I know you want to have everyone included, but it is time to put feelings aside and to start/continue to win games.

 

[diontechristmas]

Not a Penn Stater obviously but he reminds me of Emmitt Smith. Great vision, very good power and just enough speed. Always seems to get a few tough yards.

 

[SUPERTODD]

He has the ability to play at the speed he wants to play at rather than being rushed by the defense. He reminds me of Laveon Bell at Michigan State. I think Cain might be the same type of back. A guy who gets stronger as the game goes on because the defense gets tired and he does not.

 

[diontechristmas]

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

Didn’t see your post.. agree 100%.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

His lower body strength is what separates him IMO.

The epitome of his style can be wrapped in one play from the Iowa game - 3rd and 1 on the Iowa 15, right after Brisker's pick, score was 10-6. He was met in the hole by Iowa's leading tackler (#28?) and he completely cracked the guy and spun off the tackler. The sound of the collision could be heard on TV. He was then dragged down after carrying two defenders for another 4-5 yards. He always falls forward, whether he's spinning, diving, extending, etc. He's not flashy at all but it's really fun to watch.

 

[ChiTownLion]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

I was thinking Evan Royster but that doesn't quite capture it. I don't think there is a Penn State comp.

 

[PSU Dave]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

Emmitt Smith. Low center of gravity makes him very hard to pull down.

 

[PSU Mike]

His 4th quarter reminded me of Blair Thomas on our final drive against Bama in 1989. I think Blair carried something like 11 plays in a row for 62 yards, but came up a foot short.

 

[Kmase21]

It's just hard to describe him. He isn't crazy huge, He isn't crazy fast or quick. He isn't Saquon shifty, but all the kid does is get positive yards. I don't even know who he reminds me of....maybe Royster, but even further along and just a tick quicker. He just seems to glide along and shake tacklers.

I always think he looks like a prototypical SEC back. Big and physical who can move, similar to RB's that LSU usually has. Must be in the water down there in the bayou.

 

[BBG65]

I agree with the Emmitt Smith comparison, at least is style.

 

[BostonNit]

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

OK Beano. And Ron Powlus = Joe Montana and will win 3 Heisman's.

Seriously, I **LOVE** what we've seen from Cain so far and he definitely looks like the best in the current RB room. But if people start throwing this type of comparison around after a few excellent games, that's a pretty heavy burden for a kid who is only 18 to carry.

Let's pump the brakes just a little.

Having said this, I hope he opens the game against Michigan in the backfield so he sees that on field production is rewarded.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I think E. Smith is the best comparison I've seen up to this point. Since watching his HS tape last fall, and another year in the strength program, I've always kind of seen Carlos Hyde. Playing against Hyde was always super frustrating because you would think the defense had him locked up or surrounded before the sticks but he always seemed to find a away to get the 2-3 yards and a first down. I see the same characteristics in Cain's running style.

I'm not sure he'll ever be a breakaway threat or make a ton of guys miss in the open field but he'll be a super productive downhill runner.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

OK Beano. And Ron Powlus = Joe Montana and will win 3 Heisman's.

Seriously, I **LOVE** what we've seen from Cain so far and he definitely looks like the best in the current RB room. But if people start throwing this type of comparison around after a few excellent games, that's a pretty heavy burden for a kid who is only 18 to carry.

Let's pump the brakes just a little.

Having said this, I hope he opens the game against Michigan in the backfield so he sees that on field production is rewarded.

Nobody is saying the kid is going to turn out like Emmit Smith. We're looking for a running style to compare the kid to. It's a message board.

 

[mn78psu83]

OK Beano. And Ron Powlus = Joe Montana and will win 3 Heisman's.

Seriously, I **LOVE** what we've seen from Cain so far and he definitely looks like the best in the current RB room. But if people start throwing this type of comparison around after a few excellent games, that's a pretty heavy burden for a kid who is only 18 to carry.

Let's pump the brakes just a little.

Having said this, I hope he opens the game against Michigan in the backfield so he sees that on field production is rewarded.

This was what the poster wrote:

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

He was referring to his running style.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Emmit Smith is also another great comparison as well. Just great in between the tackles...5-6 yards a pop and before you know it he's over 100 yards.

 

[PSU87]

So I read through this thread, nodding at every single post, then I go look at the stats

Ford 7.2 ypc
Brown 6.7 ypc
Cain 5.4 ypc
Slade 2.1 ypc

I know....lies, damn lies and statistics....but that surprised me.

However, I think those stats are skewed by the fact that Ford and Brown have longest runs of 80+ where Cain's is only 27.

I'm guessing if you threw out each back's longest run, it would look a lot different.

Maybe we can say he is the most consistent, but not as much of a home run threat?

He was certainly the player of the game this week.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

So I read through this thread, nodding at every single post, then I go look at the stats

Ford 7.2 ypc
Brown 6.7 ypc
Cain 5.4 ypc
Slade 2.1 ypc

I know....lies, damn lies and statistics....but that surprised me.

However, I think those stats are skewed by the fact that Ford and Brown have longest runs of 80+ where Cain's is only 27.

I'm guessing if you threw out each back's longest run, it would look a lot different.

Maybe we can say he is the most consistent, but not as much of a home run threat?

He was certainly the player of the game this week.

Home run threats are awesome....but this offense with this defense needs someone who can move the sticks. It's great that you can hit for 1 50 yard run one out of every 50 carries, but give me the guy who is moving the sticks and his big run will come.

 

[PSU87]

Home run threats are awesome....but this offense with this defense needs someone who can move the sticks. It's great that you can hit for 1 50 yard run one out of every 50 carries, but give me the guy who is moving the sticks and his big run will come.

I dont disagree, but you know how Franklin feels about "explosive plays".

So while we debate why Cain doesn't get the bulk of the work, we can also wonder if that's why he doesn't.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

I dont disagree, but you know how Franklin feels about "explosive plays".

So while we debate why Cain doesn't get the bulk of the work, we can also wonder if that's why he doesn't.

The last 2 weeks he has started to get the bulk. That trend will continue until someone else steps up IMO.

 

[BostonNit]

This was what the poster wrote:

Not saying he is at that level but kind of reminds me of Emmit Smith.

He was referring to his running style.

I understand and didn't miss a thing. I also know that Mark Macon = Oscar Robertson, Freddie Adu = Pele, and Ron Powlus = Joe Montana. All people who they "reminded" people about.

Interesting in this thread how it's OK to compare Cain to Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, but we are cautioned not to throw Aaron Harris out there as a comparison because AH would've been a 1st round pick if not injured.

Hyperbole. But that's why message boards are for. I actually like the Tony Hunt comparison (which is more germane to a PSU board anyway).

 

[BostonNit]

If we are comparing an 18 year old who has played 6 collegiate games to all-time NFL greats, I'd throw out that Adrian Peterson may be a better comparison. Cain is built closer to AP than Emmitt.

 

[Sooner Lion]

OK Beano. And Ron Powlus = Joe Montana and will win 3 Heisman's.

Seriously, I **LOVE** what we've seen from Cain so far and he definitely looks like the best in the current RB room. But if people start throwing this type of comparison around after a few excellent games, that's a pretty heavy burden for a kid who is only 18 to carry.

Let's pump the brakes just a little.

Having said this, I hope he opens the game against Michigan in the backfield so he sees that on field production is rewarded.

Cain for Heisman!

 

[PSUFBFAN]

I dont disagree, but you know how Franklin feels about "explosive plays".

So while we debate why Cain doesn't get the bulk of the work, we can also wonder if that's why he doesn't.

I don't have any problem with the way Seider and Franklin are using the backs. We do have 4 good backs and it appears there may be some slight positives and negatives with each one of them. I know Slade is getting a lot of heat, but I think he can contribute in a positive manner - he has demonstrated that he does a good job catching passes and we have seen some history from him where he does have a good burst of speed. I like Ford a little better than Brown, but it is not like there is a huge drop off between the two.

Finally, I agree that Cain has looked the best, however, I really like the way he has been used - as the 4th qtr "hammer". For three years, we have been complaining that we couldn't close out games because we couldn't control the clock and run the ball in the last 4 minutes. Well, we now appear to have that ability with this offense line and a fresh Cain in the 4th qtr. Continue to rotate the backs in the first 3 qtrs, then let Cain hammer the tiring defense in the 4th qtr. to close out a tight game - which we may have this weekend and in a few future contests.

 

[ChiTownLion]

“We call him Noah Gain,” Penn State corner Tariq Castro-Fields said on Tuesday.

“He’s always getting the tough yards, and we love him for that. He’s always getting the tough yards, he’s been doing that since camp and spring ball."

https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatef...name-for-back-noah-cain-heres-what-it-is.html

 

[RickinDayton]

Hell, we were in shotgun just to down the ball at the end of the half!! I never saw that before.

Is stamina an issue with Cain? He got a nice workload at Iowa, but Is that the only reason I can see for him not getting more snaps. I know you want to have everyone included, but it is time to put feelings aside and to start/continue to win games.

Could be a stamina issue. Freshman RBs need to kept fresh, especially as the season extends. He never took a pounding like this in HS so they need to be careful how & when they use him. This might be the primary reason for the rotation of 4 RBs.

 

[RickinDayton]

I don't have any problem with the way Seider and Franklin are using the backs. We do have 4 good backs and it appears there may be some slight positives and negatives with each one of them. I know Slade is getting a lot of heat, but I think he can contribute in a positive manner - he has demonstrated that he does a good job catching passes and we have seen some history from him where he does have a good burst of speed. I like Ford a little better than Brown, but it is not like there is a huge drop off between the two.

Finally, I agree that Cain has looked the best, however, I really like the way he has been used - as the 4th qtr "hammer". For three years, we have been complaining that we couldn't close out games because we couldn't control the clock and run the ball in the last 4 minutes. Well, we now appear to have that ability with this offense line and a fresh Cain in the 4th qtr. Continue to rotate the backs in the first 3 qtrs, then let Cain hammer the tiring defense in the 4th qtr. to close out a tight game - which we may have this weekend and in a few future contests.

Exactly.

 

[PSUfiji]

I was thinking Evan Royster but that doesn't quite capture it. I don't think there is a Penn State comp.

What about Mike Archie? He was a smallish running back at 5'8" 204lbs, yet ran with power and determination to get upfield.