The Jacksonville Jaguars have reenergized their run game with a jolt of turgor. This recent upswing is largely due to the incredible play of running back Travis Etienne Jr. With standout runs of 71 and 48 yards, Etienne has emerged as a key player under the offensive direction of Liam Coen. In their latest game against the San Francisco 49ers, Etienne displayed his new-found home-run-hitting abilities with an electrifying 124 yards and one touchdown. His performance was instrumental in the team’s overall 151 rushing yards.
This year, Etienne is having a huge breakout year. After an off year in 2024, in which he rushed for only 558 yards and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, he’s looking to bounce back. He now sits third in the NFL with 394 rushing yards. Not only is he the league’s top back, but he leads all players with an astounding 6.1 yards/carry. If he can keep this up, he’s set to record his third 1,000-yard season in four seasons.
Liam Coen’s innovative offensive scheme has played a crucial role in revitalizing Etienne’s performance. On offense, Coen likes to incorporate a mixture of zone and gap blocking plays. He used motion and personnel changes wonderfully to baffle opposing defenses. One of the players who’s done more than any to lead this change is Robert Hainsey. He stressed how Coen’s focus really adds to the team’s overall performance on the run game.
“Coen’s plan has been a godsend,” Hainsey shouted. He placed a lot on the massive development improvements he witnessed while in their time in Tampa Bay and now in Jacksonville.
When it comes to Etienne’s strengths, Coen has been equally impressed with Etienne’s grasp of the run game. He made a point of emphasizing how well Etienne knows the teams’ on-the-ground, rubber-hits-the-road goals. This is true for both zone and gap plays.
“Travis has a really good feel for what we’re trying to do in the run game,” said Coen.
Coen further expanded on his approach, as you can hear, variety really is the key to the play calling. By showing varied looks while still attacking the same basic ideas, he wants to stay one step ahead of opposing defenses.
“It’s more just within the scheme having plays off of plays so that… maybe it’s less thinking for those guys up front and it’s more of the same, but maybe different presentations,” Coen explained.
Etienne’s first touchdown in the game against San Francisco was no exception, as this impressive 48-yard run showed. He was quick to put the spotlight on the offensive line for providing him the protection needed to do what he does best.
“The offensive line did a great job of setting it up and I just followed my blockers, and they got me to the promised land,” Etienne said.
The Jaguars’ success on the ground can be attributed not only to Etienne’s abilities but to the collaborative efforts of the coaching staff and offensive line. Hainsey, who has nearly 40 years of experience coaching running backs, emphasized the importance of technique and fundamentals as the key to success.
When we’re playing well with our technique and fundamentals, and Liam’s calling it well, [the run game] is really hard to stop, Hainsey remarked. “We haven’t reached the level that we’re capable of yet, which is exciting.”
As the season moves along, it would seem both Coen and Etienne are interested in continuing to improve their process. The combination of an innovative scheme and a talented running back positions the Jaguars as a formidable force in the league.
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