Tulsa World: Briles: Griffin plan works

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Briles: Griffin plan works
The Baylor coach known for passing schemes uses his QB for rush game.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin, throwing last week against Iowa State, has helped turn Baylor's offense into one of the best rushing attacks in the Big 12. Duane A. Laverty/Associated Press

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 10/16/2008 2:08 AM
Last Modified: 10/16/2008 3:44 AM

The Baylor coach known for passing schemes uses his QB for rush game.

Art Briles doesn't care what you call his offense. Just call it successful.

The first-year Baylor coach doesn't have a specific offensive philosophy. Instead, he finds what works.

"Because of personnel, we're always trying to look for an edge," Briles said. "We have a system. We implant people into this system. And then we try to match their abilities with our schemes."

Freshman quarterback Robert Griffin has energized Baylor's offense, which it will need entering Saturday's 2 p.m. game at Oklahoma State.

Griffin has given the offense a stronger rushing attack. Baylor has rushed for 1,237 yards in the first six games and rank second in the Big 12 at 206 yards per game. That is a significant upgrade. Baylor has not rushed for more than 1,320 yards in a season the past 10 years. Over the past two years, Baylor has rushed for 1,416 yards combined. Griffin has run for 421 yards and eight touchdowns.

"The quarterback run game is something he does extremely well," OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "He can break it at any time with his speed. He puts a scare in you."

But Griffin isn't Baylor's leading rusher — that's sophomore running back Jay Finley, who has 425 yards.

"Any good coach will build his system around the talent he has," said Griffin. "I think we've surprised some by the way we've run the ball. But we have not surprised ourselves."

As Houston's head coach from 2003-2007, Briles' attack was noted for its passing game under quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and Case Keenum. But Griffin's running ability brought a different dimension.

"I've been very impressed with coach Briles. Whatever pops out of his head usually works," offensive tackle Jason Smith said. "It could be a simple pass or run play, or something tricky with the quarterback. He's very talented, and he's fit the talent into his scheme."

Griffin's poise as a passer is underscored by the fact he has not thrown an interception in 128 attempts this season. But Briles points to his team's ability to run successfully. It has alleviated some pressure from his standout freshman as a passer.

"If you run the football with any kind of success, it gives you opportunities to set up pass plays off of it," Briles said. "And that's something that we've been pretty good at. We've been able to run the ball effectively. But we're going to have to continue to do that to have a chance to be good and put some points on the board on offense."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com

GAINING GROUND

For the past nine seasons, Baylor has struggled to run the football with any consistency. That has changed this season as the Bears rank second in the Big 12 Conference in rushing through six games. A look at Baylor’s rushing efforts since 1999:

YEAR	YARDS	YPG	NCAA/BIG 12 RANK
1999	1,208	109.8	95/11
2000	802	72.9	110/11
2001	1,053	95.7	108/10
2002	1 ,241	103.4	105/11
2003	1,320	110.0	102/10
2004	1,088	98.9	104/10
2005	1,209	109.9	99/10
2006	482	40.2	119/12
2007	934	77.8	113/11
2008	1 ,237	206.2	18/2

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (10/16/2008 8:03:02 AM)

Griffin appears to be a helluva player, but look for him to throw his first interception(s) of the season.. Much like Missouri's first three-and-out(s) of the season.

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