Urban Meyer: 'J.K. deserves the ball'

Buckeyes tailback Dobbins received just 6 carries at Iowa

Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, top, celebrates his touchdown against Oklahoma earlier this season. Urban Meyer called Dobbins, a true freshman, Ohio State's starter at tailback.

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Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, top, celebrates his touchdown against Oklahoma earlier this season. Urban Meyer called Dobbins, a true freshman, Ohio State's starter at tailback.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said the Buckeyes have “had a conversation” about how little its running backs touched the ball last week.

J.K. Dobbins carried the ball 6 times and Mike Weber only 5 at Iowa, with the pair receiving one combined carry in the second half. Meyer said OSU discussed the distribution, and that Dobbins — whom he called the starter — should see the ball more.

“Those are things we talk about,” Meyer said. “But once again I think [running backs coach Tony] Alford does a nice job. [Dobbins] should have more than six carries, but we got behind and started throwing it a lot.”

Meyer said in the past that he tries not to micromanage how the Buckeyes distribute the ball. Asked how he can involve Dobbins more, Meyer said the task can be difficult if teams like Iowa force the quarterback to keep the ball on read option plays.

The Iowa game saw Dobbins taken away, and Meyer said the tailback should have more carries.

“I think that J.K.'s going to be a 1,000-yard rusher here pretty soon, and like I said, just the way the game materialized in that third quarter, there wasn't a whole lot of runs after that point,” Meyer said. “But those are certainly conversations. J.K. deserves the ball.”

Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz