Paul Lasike and the Myth of Ball Security

Where did this myth suddenly arise that Paul Lasike has ball security issues i.e. that he's a turnover threat? It has me a bit flabbergasted as my impression was that one of Lasike's strong points was ball security.



Last year with 34 touches in 8 games in his first season of organized football, Lasike lost one fumble.



This season, with 33 touches in 4 games, he has one fumble (against Utah), which was mostly Hill's fault on a screwey handoff and was recovered by Williams for a one-yard loss.



I'm just curious how Lasike has suddenly come to be a turnover machine.

I think a fumble every 30 touches could be considered considered having ball security issues. If he were the feature back, that would be almost once per game.



I'm surprised he doesn't fumble more than that. Have you noticed how he NEVER puts two hands on the ball? Even running up that middle or surround by tacklers, he never covers up the ball.

I think a fumble more often than every 50 carries is probably in the turnover prone running back.

It seems like the read option would be more prone to fumbles due to the nature of ball contact between the QB and RB nearly every play. Unfortunately, our fumbles seem to be the kind where the runner is simply not protecting the ball adequately.

He also carries it too free wheeling away form his body. Maybe its a perception thing, but it doesn't help dispel any budding myths.

No myth. And he carries the ball loosely with one hand and away from his body. He'll have more this season unfortunately.

mizzoucoug wrote:
No myth. And he carries the ball loosely with one hand and away from his body. He'll have more this season unfortunately.

Yeah, two fumbles and one lost in 75 touches is alot. Williams has zero fumbles ( maybe he has one) in his BYU career that spans roughly 275 touches.

Mars wrote:

2 fumbles and 1 lost in 75 touches is a lot. Williams has zero fumbles ( maybe he has one) in his BYU career that spans roughly 275 touches.

Williams has 1 fumble, 0 lost.

Unfortunately, Williams can't run it every play. USU was keying on him, and he would get tired even if theopp. defense wasn't, or if they weren't doing it effectively. Our offense has to distribute the ball between several different WRs and RBs. Otherwise, our offense will be ineffective.