Kansas vs. Texas Film Review (Nov. 7, 2015)

[Ryan Bridges]

The first question I wanted to answer was: What changed offensively between the first and second half? Not all that much, it turns out. 

The big things that stood out to me were that (1) D'Onta Foreman had just three touches in the first half, (2) the offense didn't score when playing a combination of the backup offensive line in the first half, and (3) minor penalties (block in the back and a false start) disrupted a couple of drives in the second quarter.

I thought there may have been more production in the split back sets with Johnathan Gray and Foreman both in the backfield, but I'm not sure the increased production wasn't more because Foreman got most of those carries. (It still may be Texas' best formation and run package.) I also thought there were more quick throws in the second half, but Jerrod Heard threw them at nearly the same rate from first to second half.

Before making a big deal out of the game being close on the scoreboard at the half, it's important to note the coaches treated this like a scrimmage. Texas ran 12 plays before putting backups in on the offensive line. They were also experimenting in the passing game, calling concepts they'd never or rarely run before. It was frustrating because I think they were trying to give the backups reps, air it out for recruits and show recruits that there's potential for early playing time, but it came at the cost of making the game appear closer than it was. With the fragile psyche of the team, I would argue it was more important to win via beatdown, but that was the final result anyway. 

Another thing I was thinking was that the coaches can tell the team to take an opponent seriously all they want, but the players can see through the words to the coaches' actions. It's hard to stay focused and motivated when your backup is in before the first quarter is over and the game plan is so vanilla.

Anyway, let's get to the action.

 

[Ryan Bridges]

The first touchdown was pretty well-covered during the broadcast, but here it is again and marked up. 

Until now we could only guess what the rest of the concept looked like, but evidently this is what Texas was running against Iowa State (Heard's interception, I assume) and probably before. He just wasn't pulling the trigger. 

The idea is to put some bait in front of the safety in the form of a crossing route. If he takes the bait, you do this ^^^. If not, you should be able to find the crosser behind the linebackers, who were sucked up by the run fake. 

It's a very good sign that Heard threw this ball. I'll take John Burt — and eventually Collin Johnson or even Kai Locksley  â€” over just about anybody in this scenario. Trevone Boykin gets a lot of production from these types of throws to Josh Doctson. Texas should do the same. 

 

[Ryan Bridges]

Texas tried a couple of conventional screens with Heard, and neither worked. I don't remember the last time Texas successful ran a conventional screen, but at least they're trying I guess. As often as the line lets defenders through, you'd think Texas would be better in the screen game. After all, there's nothing to alert a rusher that something's up when he gets let loose.

First, both were tipped — I think three of Heard's passes were tipped in total, with the other being a quick screen. Second, although it didn't wind up mattering because of the deflections, you can see center Taylor Doyle miss his block on both. In the second play you also have left tackle Connor Williams let a linebacker shoot through the B gap unabated, which hurried Heard a little more. 

 

[Ryan Bridges]

Another big throw by Heard.

It looks like a 4 Verticals concept vs. Tampa 2 coverage. I added the numbers on top to show that the defense essentially has two deep defenders on that side of the field for three vertical threats (four-on-three across the full width of the field). The field safety jumps No. 2 and Heard lets it rip for No. 1, Lorenzo Joe. I said it after TCU: Heard is really accurate throwing downfield.

 

[Ryan Bridges]

It wasn't responsible for the biggest plays in the run game (outside zone for the 93-yard touchdown, a rare 21-yard gain on inside zone because Foreman is good, Swoopes' 44-yard touchdown on a broken inside zone), but lead zone continues to be one of Texas' most consistently productive plays. They've got a good thing going from the split backs package just running lead zone, split zone "read" (the read is predetermined most, probably every, time), and lead outside zone. 

Here's a lead zone example:

Here are the two split zone varieties:

And the lead outside zone (it hasn't really worked all that well but variety is good):

I'll be back with more on Wednesday.

 

[Ryan Bridges]

Let's look at a few of the designed runs for Heard. We already saw one in the split zone keep play above. 

QB Draw with swing screen:

The idea is to conflict the linebackers with the screen. I like the screen more here — the slot has leverage on the linebacker and the safety is deep and backpedaling. I'm also hoping Texas eventually adds "Y Stick" to the QB draw.

QB Lead Outside Zone:

Nice "bend" read by Heard. There are some backups on this OL as well: Marcus Hutchins, Sedrick Flowers, Jake Raulerson, Kent Perkins and Tristan Nickelson (L to R). 

And QB Inside Zone with fake jet sweep:

This read — not so good. 

 

[Ryan Bridges]

D'Onta Foreman is awesome. The blocking on this play is great too — I circled the blocks by Williams and Caleb Bluiett — but Foreman turns the corner in a hurry and makes great subtle moves in space.

This guy is really freaking good, and the next post or two will probably be about him.

 

[Ryan Bridges]

Here's Foreman on inside zone "read." 

Contact starts right around the line of scrimmage but this turns into a 5-yard gain. I'm guessing Gray would have gotten one yard out of this. 

Texas saw a decent amount of Cover 0 but had quite a bit of success running Lead Zone and Split Zone into it. Note the great block by Kent Perkins (left guard) here, and of course the lead block by Gray.

Foreman is quick and low through the hole, keeps his legs moving through contact and stretches for the goal line.

It's hard to even explain this run. It's all instincts.

He wanted to cut off Gray's block, but there's color flashing in the B gap and a linebacker ready to fill the A gap, so he tries to bend it. That's where he sees the safety coming up, so he goes back the other way. The blocking is helpful, to be sure, but this is also a tremendous run in my opinion. You don't see Foreman do stuff like this much; I think he could sense that he could afford to be patient. I also really like how he stays low so he's almost hiding behind is O-line.

 

[Ryan Bridges]

The biggest takeaway from the whole game was the appearance of the quick passing game for Texas. One drive in particular stood out: Texas' third series of the second half.

I was going to do an in-depth breakdown, but Gabriel over at The Football Brainiacs did a great job of that already, so I'll just add a couple of notes.

This was the most encouraging play by Heard of the whole game, in my opinion. Watch him signal before the snap.

He recognized Cover 0 pressure and signaled to Ryan Newsome to run that inside fade. Sure, the ball was shitty, but let's take it one step at a time. Recognition is step one.

And Gabriel makes the same point I made last week about attacking off-man coverage. Honestly, if Texas had just done that and/or leaned on the 18 Wheeler package more, they would have beaten Iowa State comfortably.

Burt damn near scored on this play. Iowa State's corners probably make this tackle, but can they do it every time? And can they be disciplined enough not to jump the hitch-n-go?

So in a way, it's encouraging that Texas showed a quick game against Kansas, but it also amplifies the s***show that was the Iowa State game. Had the coaches not worked on the quick throws enough to feel comfortable calling them? That's bad. They had to know they'd need those throws eventually, and Iowa State was game seven for Heard. 

I will say this, though. Heard's throws on these hitch routes are always late, and it does make me nervous. Looking ahead, there's a window here for Shane Buechele. Between his anticipation (I can't wait to check this in his senior film), accuracy and quick release, he'll be the top dog on campus in the quick game this spring. Can he do enough in other areas to overtake Heard or Swoopes? I doubt it, but it'll be fun to see.