The Huskies reclaimed the Apple Cup with a 59-24 victory over Cougars in Pullman. WSU stored issues shut earlier than UW determined to lastly blow the sport open, scoring 28 factors unanswered within the 4th quarter. The protection appeared shaky all through however in the end was the distinction maker as they compelled 3 turnovers on the day. The offense remained unstoppable as they continued their scoring drive streak. The Dawgs at the moment are #2 within the nation in PPG and they’ll want all these factors this weekend because the reigning nationwide champions are on the town. Final time the CFB Playoff winner got here into Husky Stadium? Michigan in 2024. Right here’s to pulling off one other upset this 12 months.
(Jed Fisch ran up the rating on Saturday, so Movie Research this week is following go well with.)
Offense: QB/Possibility Run Sport Grasp Class
The offense we trotted out on the sector in Pullman was the offense I used to be dreaming of when Jedd Fisch made feedback in the course of the offseason about adjusting the offense to benefit from Demond Williams’ distinctive talent set. What we noticed within the Apple Cup was a grasp class in run recreation choreography that blended base runs, QB runs, RPOs, and a slew of possibility ideas that we haven’t seen at UW for the reason that pre-Petersen years. Hardly ever within the final decade plus of Husky soccer have we seen such an environment friendly offensive efficiency (9.2 yards per play) with such a run-heavy run/go break up (32 rushes vs. 19 go makes an attempt). With a dynamic speeding menace at QB like Demond, you’re capable of incorporate “drive multiplying” QB run ideas and possibility ideas into your offense that may turbo cost the run recreation and play motion. I’m an enormous fan of incorporating the QB within the run recreation (when you could have the suitable expertise) for 2 causes. One, you get the schematic numbers benefit of turning the QB from a bystander to a menace on run performs. Two, QB runs and possibility ideas could be constructed off the identical blocking ideas that you simply’re already investing time to put in on your base run scheme. Like within the passing recreation, ideas are “costly” however window dressing (on this case, backfield motion) is “low cost” within the context of time funding.
Let’s check out a few of these new run ideas and wrinkles.
1st Quarter – 3:47 – third & 3
First play up we’ve got Demond’s TD run on a designed QB run idea from the primary quarter. This play is a variation on our staple Exterior Zone run idea and is run out of a model of our “3×1 Nub” formation. Most are most likely conversant in Exterior Zone, however for people who aren’t, it’s certainly one of our staple run ideas that’s based mostly on Zone blocking guidelines. Commonplace Zone blocking guidelines, briefly, dictate that each participant within the blocking entrance (OL plus TEs if relevant) take a step within the play facet course on the snap and whoever is in entrance of them or close to them to the play facet is their duty to dam. Relying on the precise model of Zone that you simply’re operating (Inside Zone, Mid Zone, Exterior Zone, and so forth.) the blocking goal modifications, however the task of blocking duty stays the identical. Inside Zone runs prioritize double groups and pushing defenders vertically off the road of scrimmage, and Exterior Zone prioritizes lateral blocking motion to seal the sting or opening up a cutback lane.
MGoBlog.com / https://mgoblog.com/content material/what-pin-and-pull
The model of Exterior Zone we ran on this play incorporates “Pin and Pull” blocking assignments on the level of assault, in addition to a lead blocker in Jonah Coleman. On an Exterior Zone play, the hardest blocks to make are the attain blocks the place the OL has to get to the surface shoulder of a defender who’s already lined as much as the play facet of him. The Pin and Pull model of Exterior Zone tweaks the usual Zone blocking guidelines to do away with as many of those attain blocks as doable by swapping blocking assignments. As a substitute of each blocker being answerable for the defender within the nearest play facet zone, if the Zone blocking guidelines would sometimes have you ever making a attain block, you’d swap assignments with the man to the play facet of you in order that he can get a down block and also you’d pull to the purpose of assault. Utilizing the diagram above, as a substitute of the RG attempting a attain block on the DT or the Y-TE attain blocking the suitable EDGE, they’d pull to the purpose of assault and let the RT and H-Again make down blocks. MGoBlog has an awesome breakdown on the Pin and Pull idea if you wish to study extra.
On this play, as a substitute of asking the OT (on this case #74 Drew Azzopardi) to make that block, we added a Pin and Pull name the place Decker DeGraaf (#86) swaps blocking assignments with Azzopardi. DeGraaf blocks down on the EDGE to benefit from his outdoors positioning, and Azzopardi pulls round DeGraaf to the second degree to select off a CB in house. This tweak to the play design would’ve been sufficient to get the primary down if we simply gave the ball to Coleman, however by utilizing him Demond because the runner, we had been additionally capable of get Coleman as a lead blocker on the play facet security. Getting that +1 benefit on the level of assault meant that the following closest unblocked defender was the bottom security, and Demond is just too quick for him to cease earlier than the top zone.
Nice play design, nice blocks from DeGraaf, Azzopardi, and Coleman, and a monster run from Demond.
Aspect Observe: As I discussed within the UC Davis Movie Research article, Fisch loves to make use of 3×1 Nub formations (3 WRs on one facet & a TE on the solo facet tight to the formation) in third downs to encourage defenses to tip their hand in opposition to the run. Sometimes, we’re operating this formation in passing conditions, so its use on a run play was a pleasant tendency breaking wrinkle.
2nd Quarter – 10:48 – 1st & 10
Subsequent up we’ve got a play design that I instantly acknowledged however struggled to recollect within the second the place I had seen it earlier than. Come to search out out throughout my analysis, it was a play that we ran again in 2016 beneath Coach Pete and Jonathan Smith, and to my data they had been the originators of this design that has now been copied by quite a few different packages.
I received’t go too far in depth breaking down the idea since there was already such an awesome video breakdown and supporting article on SBNation from again within the day, however the idea is actually a toss play run behind normal Zone blocking that blends Learn Possibility and Pace Possibility backfield motion to confuse and decelerate the protection. Demond extends the ball and Mohammed takes his preliminary step as if they’re organising the Learn Possibility with Demond studying the left EDGE. This attracts within the EDGE to assault their mesh level, however as a substitute of creating the hand off/hold learn like on a Learn Possibility play, Demond pitches the ball outdoors of the EDGE (who has now damaged comprise) to Mohammed who can slice and cube the out of place bottom defenders in house.
Simply one other instance of a simple play to include into the decision sheet that provides a unique look whereas constructing on the Learn Possibility performs that the offense has run 1,000,000 instances in observe.
2nd Quarter – 4:41 – 2nd & 16
Now we’re beginning to get into the performs the place I’ve to take a seat again and suppose “man, Fisch and the employees had been actually getting loopy on the white board this offseason.”
Simply to offer you an thought of what I imply, on this play we’ve received a pre-snap empty formation with Adam Mohammed (#24, RB) flexed out on the WR1 spot to the sector facet, RB Jet/In movement into CT Counter Bash Possibility (sure, I’m attempting to sound approach smarter than I really am).
Let’s break that down piece by piece in layman’s phrases. Mohammed’s Jet (quick movement throughout the formation from a fringe spot) or In (perimeter participant transferring into the backfield) movement is solely so as to add eye sweet for the protection. CT Counter is the bottom run blocking scheme (CT indicating Heart/Sort out because the pullers). Bash Possibility is the backfield motion and possibility tag. Bash possibility is similar to the standard Learn Possibility (QB is studying the bottom EDGE for a handoff/hold), however the Bash tag flip flops the QB/RB run duties. As a substitute of the RB following the OL’s blocking and the QB operating to the bottom like within the Learn Possibility, the QB follows the blocking and the RB runs to the bottom on Bash Possibility calls.
On this play, Demond reads the bottom EDGE and sees that he’s sitting and enjoying comprise, so he pulls the ball and runs behind Landen Hatchett (#66, C) and Drew Azzopardi’s (#74, RT) blocks that fashioned a yawning chasm within the defensive entrance. Azzopardi’s block clears out the closest LB on the second degree, and Mohammed’s movement freezes the field security lengthy sufficient for Demond to outrun his angle. Demond, being the dynamic runner that he’s, makes a reduce that shakes the CB and is one damaged arm deal with away from housing it.
It’s a cool play design that builds off the Counter blocking scheme and the Learn Possibility mechanics that the offense is effectively versed in. Can’t complain a couple of 25 yard QB run.
third Quarter – 8:24 – third & Aim
Right here’s one other enjoyable one from Fisch that was quite… intelligent. Down on the objective line we’ve received third & objective with a possibility to proceed our scoring streak. What Fisch dials up is a run play that’s equal elements brute drive and crafty misdirection leaning on tendencies that we’ve placed on tape.
The idea is a dressed up model of One-Again Energy, but it surely’s offered in a approach that could be a nightmare for defenders to diagnose within the break up second essential to cease a objective line run. First, Fisch reimagined the hand off level and backfield motion by transferring Coleman into the tight bunch to the highest of the display screen to take an Finish Round-type handoff. Then to distract the protection pre-snap, he folded in a pretend Jet Sweep movement to Dezmen Roebuck (#81). Lastly, we snuck in pretend Pace Possibility motion with Demond and Jordan Washington as post-snap eye sweet additional distracting the protection from the true level of assault. Not solely is Washington’s presence on the sector an inclination breaker (we virtually by no means run 2-back personnel groupings), however he’s additionally primarily an outdoor rusher in comparison with Coleman and Mohammed’s inside-based speeding model.
It’s a cool play design that performs into our tendencies to disorient the protection whereas conserving the core of the play pretty easy. Additionally, shout out to John Mills on an awesome block because the pulling lineman.
There was so much happening throughout this play, however the humor was not misplaced on me that one of many key misdirection ideas on this play was a objective line velocity possibility into the boundary. Humorous, Jedd. Humorous man.
4th Quarter – 14:23 – 1st & 10
Wrapping up the offensive performs for this week, we’ve received a unique have a look at the Bash Possibility idea that we mentioned earlier. This time we’re operating a extra standard blocking search for Bash Possibility, pairing Inside Zone with the Bash Possibility tag. The OL is operating Inside Zone to the suitable, so Demond is studying the left EDGE (backside of display screen). This time the EDGE he’s studying squeezes down the road and offers up comprise to Mohammed. With a lot of the defensive second degree flowing with the OL, Mohammed is ready to run in house with three blockers forward of him in opposition to three defenders. He’s eight yards down the sector earlier than a defender even will get a hand on him.
We wished to incorporate this in Movie Research this week so you may see the 2 sides of the Bash Possibility in motion, in addition to to spotlight how it may be a run recreation change up that may get our backs in house. Think about getting Demond and Washington within the backfield on a play like this. Be careful for the top zone.
Protection: “It’s not nearly a deal with, it’s a couple of strip”
Whereas the offense has captured the eye of informal followers and the nationwide media, our protection’s incapability to persistently cease supposedly weaker opponents has been a constant subject of dialog beneath the floor. The Apple Cup efficiency didn’t do a lot to quell the priority regardless of the ultimate rating. The go protection was shaky by way of three quarters, yielding ~90% of WSU’s offensive manufacturing by way of the air, however settled down within the fourth. The go rush didn’t get house on a constant foundation till a few rubbish time sacks boosted the field rating stats, however the strain was felt by way of out. The run protection was excellent (
1st Quarter – 6:17 – third & 6
First up we’ve got Alex McLaughlin’s first interception of the sport within the first quarter. McLaughlin has been a playmaker by way of the primary three video games of the season with a knack for being across the ball, however this was as a lot of “group” interception as you’ll ever see.
On this play, WSU is going through a passing scenario on third & lengthy and are available out in a 2×2 shotgun formation. Anticipating a go, we’re rolling with our go protection change up protection, Tampa 2.
Bucsnation.com / SBNation
Tampa 2 is a broadly run model of Cowl 2 the place the MIKE LB is requested to tackle deeper protection duties than standard Cowl 2. As a substitute of being a 2 deep/5 beneath zone protection scheme (2 deep safeties splitting the deep zones & 5 defenders overlaying the beneath zones), the MIKE drops into the intermediate center of the sector. By doing this, the MIKE can help in taking away Submit routes that prey on the comfortable portion of the protection between the 2 safeties, successfully utilizing the MIKE as a hybrid third security in a hybrid Cowl 2/Cowl 3 look. It’s a troublesome ask for MIKEs who’re sometimes greater to tackle the run, however our LBs are smaller extra athletic sorts who can cowl floor.
On this play, Deven Bryant (#17, LB) is our MIKE answerable for the deeper zone protection, and he executes his task completely. He takes a deep drop whereas conserving eyes within the backfield, feels the publish route coming from the boundary facet of the sector, and will get his hand on the ball. It helps that Zach Durfee (#5, EDGE) smokes the LT and will get successful on Zevi Eckhaus as he’s releasing the ball. The wobbly go flutters proper in direction of Bryant, who will get ideas the go proper into McLaughlin’s palms. To be clear, McLaughlin didn’t simply luck into this interception. He was in the suitable place on the proper time, however his knack for studying the play, the backfield, and the routes as they develop persistently put him in place to make a play.
2nd Quarter – 9:07 – 2nd & 5
Subsequent up, we’ve got a reminder for folk that we’re able to enjoying sound run matches and asserting ourselves in opposition to the run. WSU is operating a HH Counter play with the dual TEs/H-Backs pulling in direction of the boundary because the lead blockers. In opposition to this heavy look, we’re operating our 5-man entrance with 3-4 personnel. We had been actually making it a degree to snuff out their run recreation with an 8-man field and the heavy entrance, however that wasn’t the important thing to stuffing this run. Extra importantly, we had been capable of win on the level of assault. Isaiah Ward (#91, EDGE) crashes exhausting on the snap and demolishes the primary lead blocker a number of yards within the backfield. This creates a log jam within the backfield, slowing down the operating again simply lengthy sufficient for Taitai Uiagalelei (#11, DL) to win his 1v1 in opposition to the RT.
That is how a run match is meant to appear like on the level of assault if you run a 5-man entrance. Extra defenders on the road implies that you’re extra more likely to get guys into the backfield. If these defenders don’t do something to disrupt the play within the backfield, they’re leaving the less LBs on the second degree out to dry. In fact, there are nonetheless issues that the employees can level out for enchancment. The LBs didn’t stream very effectively with the pulling blockers, so if Ward hadn’t blown up the play within the backfield we could have had points tackling for minimal achieve. Nevertheless, I selected this play to spotlight the positives, so let’s simply hope to see good run matches like this as soon as convention play begins.
4th Quarter – 11:45 – 4th & 5
Subsequent up we’ve got McLaughlin’s second interception on the day, this time for six. Like his first decide, it was a group effort, however this one higher highlights his knack for being in the suitable place on the proper time with the heads up consciousness to make a play.
Once more, the Cougs are going through an apparent passing scenario on 4th and medium. As a substitute of sitting again in a Tampa 2 look, we’re displaying a heavy strain look with our Dime package deal personnel (6 DBs). We line up with seven defenders on the road as potential rushers and all 11 defenders inside 5 yards of the road displaying Cowl 0. As you may see within the clip above, that is all a simulated strain. On the snap, we drop two safeties right into a 2-high shell (Makell Esteen, #24 and Rylon Dillard-Allen, #18), drop Isaiah Ward right into a QB spy task, and solely rush with our three DL/EDGEs. Luckily, our rushes shortly collapse the pocket and rush Eckhaus right into a hurried throw into the flat. McLaughlin, overlaying the TE into the flat zone, will get his eyes on the QB earlier than the TE breaks his route, and he’s merely higher ready to get to the ball within the air than the TE.
Nice rush from the DL/EDGEs, and an awesome heads up play from McLaughlin.
4th Quarter – 11:34 – 1st & 10
Lastly this week we’ve got the freshman spotlight of the sport from Dylan Robinson (#6). The freshman CB was thrust into the lineup halfway by way of the second half after Leroy Bryant’s struggles rather than an injured Tacario Davis. Whereas Robinson wasn’t examined by way of the air as persistently as Bryant, he nonetheless made his presence felt. First it was on a TFL in opposition to a run play on the earlier possession, then it was this textbook “Peanut punch” to drive the fumble as a rallying second defender to the deal with.
Rewatching the play after the actual fact, I can see that the offensive play design had an inbreaking route that drew Robinson proper in direction of the QB’s run, however that shouldn’t distract from the truth that Robinson nonetheless had the wherewithal to diagnose a run play whereas sustaining man protection and assault the ball as a substitute of simply settling for a deal with. So many CBs both keep away from making tackles within the run recreation or are singularly centered on getting the ball service to the bottom that they miss on turnover alternatives like this as they’re usually the rallying tacklers. Gamers are at all times taught that the primary guys stops the runner and the second man has to go for the ball. I assume Robinson is likely one of the few that received the message this early in his profession.
I’d hold a watch out for him to develop his function within the rotation as he refines his protection approach whereas instantly providing plus run protection traits.
Awgs’ Bonus Play of the Week
This week’s honors go to the offensive juggernaut trio of Demond x Jonah x Denzel as they reminded WSU who their huge brothers are.
