Coleman Feeley
On the line
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
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in Texas Longhorns Football By Coleman Feeley
In the depths of an offensive coordinator’s office there are stats tracked that no reasonable analyst would even think to chronicle. Missed first steps, incorrect hand placement, eyes in the wrong place, ‘winging’ (when an offensive lineman puts both arms out laterally in pass protection), etc… However, there is one stat that coordinators as well as commentators love to track: explosive plays - which include any rush over twenty yards and any pass over thirty yards.
Explosive plays are not just the part of the game everyone loves to see, they are crucial to the success of an offense. Some teams live and die by explosive plays, while others operate by allowing explosive plays to happen naturally as a defense wears down. Regardless, every offense needs them.
If an offense has to drive the length of the field two to three yards at a time, every time, the defense will eventually win the battle. Last Saturday, Texas was able to gain 104 yards rushing from just threeplays. By taking advantage of different personnel groupings, as well as formations, Texas found big holes in the Mountaineer defense, generating some exciting, explosive plays.
In the second quarter, Texas hit full stride in the rushing game obtaining nearly 150 yards. Midway through the second quarter Texas went into the gun formation in what is known as ‘ten personnel’ (1 running back, 0 tight ends) with trips to the right. By creating a favorable match up in the box (five defenders with five blockers), Texas ran a Zone Read that sprung junior running back, Johnathan Gray (#32), for a thirty-nine yard touchdown run (fig 1).
Later, on Texas’ third possession of the quarter, the Longhorns went under center with ‘twelve personnel’ (1 running back, 2 tight ends). For this twelve personnel grouping Texas put M.J. McFarland in the game. Number 85 has been noted as being a great lead blocker and Coach Strong had challenged Wickline and Watson to utilize his talents more and in creative ways. Let’s just say that the offensive staff met that challenge as they ran a Zone Cut with McFarland who was able to ‘trap two’ (blocking a defender into another defender; essentially blocking two players at once) and spring Malcolm Brown for a twenty-five yard gain (fig 2).
The very next play, Texas, in the same personnel grouping but with a new running back (Gray), went under center motioning to an offset ‘I’ formation. As West Virginia stacked the line of scrimmage anticipating the run, the Longhorns dove deep into the playbook and ran what some of the more seasoned Hornsports readers know as, the Packer Sweep. The Packer Sweep is a toss play that involves pulling both guards in an attempt to set the edge and allow the running back to break free off-tackle. With 330 pound Kent Perkins, 320 pound Sedrick Flowers, and 250 pound M.J. McFarland leading the way, Gray reached the second level untouched as he rushed for 40 yards (fig 3).
Last week’s upset of the 23rd ranked team in the country sent Longhorn spirits soaring. Everything seemed to be going just right for the Longhorns as they compiled 227 rushing yards on their way to an impressive 33-16 victory. With a dangerous duo of running backs, a mobile quarterback, and an ever improving offensive line, the Texas ground game is something to be feared. Each week Wickline and Watson will be pressed to find new ways to incorporate all these playmakers in an effective run game. If things keep going like they did against the Mountaineers, expect the Longhorns to keep the ball on the ground and enjoy more explosive plays.
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