Ugh.
DEFENSE
How to Neutralize Hager
Add speed option to the list of things Texas’ linebackers don’t know how to defend.
Kansas State is reading Breckyn Hager. Hager is a MONSTER when he can set his hair on fire before the snap and just play “see ball, hit ball.” Opposing offenses would do well to make him make decisions, just like this. After his initial excitement at being unblocked, he gathers himself and diagnoses the play, which is good. But one thing he can’t do is leave a running lane inside. He’s so excited about the chance to hit two guys on the same play that he hits neither. It’s a shame, because Anthony Wheeler did a good job scraping and avoiding the cut block. Had Hager forced the pitch, this probably would have been a negative-yardage play.
Get. Bonney. Out. Of. There.
I didn’t think Kansas State would be an offense that could shine a spotlight on John Bonney’s weaknesses, but I was so wrong. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed seven catches on nine targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. He also did this.
First of all, this is a very well-executed RPO. They combined their pass concept with QB draw, but it’s so well done that it almost looks like Jesse Ertz is just scrambling on his own. Notice, however, that the back and right guard release to block for him. It’s going to be a positive play, but Texas still has a chance to keep it to about a 4-yard pickup. Unfortunately, the 6’4″ QB who posted a 4.94 shuttle time coming out of high school broke Bonney’s ankles.
But we’re not done yet.
Texas is playing man, and every receiver except the back (who’s running a flat route) runs a slant. As a corner in this situation, you’re really only worried about two routes: the slant and the fade. The harder of the two to defend (and the easier to throw and catch) is the slant. The football 101 solution to that problem is to align with inside leverage so that the receiver has to run behind or through you to run a slant. Line up to take away the slant, play the fade. If you don’t, it looks like this.
The ‘Forced’ Fumble
That “great” play people were crediting Wheeler with was not even good; it was lucky.
There’s nothing fancy here. Everything he’s seeing should be telling Wheeler to get downhill and scrape over the top of the guard. Instead, he hesitates — likely because he’s contemplating trying to go underneath the block, as Texas’ linebackers frequently do — and finds himself squarely in the guard’s path. He’s driven back 3 1/2 yards into the end zone. He flails wildly and accidentally knocks the ball loose. A “great” job would have stopped this play at the 3- or 4-yard line. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Backup Linebackers to the Rescue
This, on the other hand, was a solid play by Ed Freeman.
Texas’ go-to on 3rd and medium or more is Cover 2. Kansas State calls a Cover 2 beater. Freeman let the slot receiver, who was running a corner route, go and got his eyes on the next receiver, who was running right into his zone. He looks like a guy who used to play safety, probably because he did. I think Freeman has been underwhelming in most of his action this year, so I’m eager to rewatch this game since he got so many snaps.
Also, there was an egregious hold by the left tackle. The only way it could be worse is if he was tackled. It wasn’t called.
OFFENSE
Oh hey, guys. Nice of you to join us (right before halftime).
Duvernay: Still Fast
I don’t know why he didn’t get more usage. I’ll look into that. In the meantime:
This is the same concept we looked at a few days ago in the Iowa State film review thread. Shane Buechele (maybe) got his rib cracked trying to run it against Cal, then checked it down like a champ against the Cyclones. Here’s what it looks like when the defense eats up the fake. The corner should have Devin Duvernay all the way, but he bites hard on the screen route and that’s that. This offense is fun. Check out right guard Kent Perkins coming over late to chip Jordan Willis, who had just tossed Brandon Hodges aside, to help keep Buechele upright.
The 18 Wheeler Is Out of the Ditch
Some folks were ready to bury the 18 Wheeler package, but all it needed was to be run more intelligently.
Observe who is on the field besides Swoopes, Armanti Foreman (split out wide) and the offensive line. For some reason, the offense in recent weeks had been moving in the direction of trying to spread the defense out with the 18 Wheeler by adding more receivers. This time, they added 1,127 pounds of blockers. #52 from K-State tries to get cute and sneak inside Andrew Beck’s block, but that only creates more space outside for Ty Swoopes and helps Caleb Bluiett release to #22 quicker. Swoopes does the rest. This package works if Sterlin Gilbert doesn’t stray from what it is.
A New Goal-Line Play
It’s not really “new” — they were running it in fall practice — but I don’t think we’ve seen it in a game yet. Or if we have, it hasn’t been executed.
Situationally, it’s very similar to the slant play Kansas State scored on earlier. AND LOOK WHERE THE CORNERS ARE LINED UP: WITH INSIDE LEVERAGE. Note the result: To get inside, Dorian Leonard has to go around the corner (he doesn’t have to, he just didn’t put up a fight). The O-line gives Buechele a nice, clean pocket, which is great because, without an inside release, it takes time for the play to develop. The ball is on time and on target. Beautiful execution.
