A Closer Look at the Offense vs. Indiana

[Mavric]

Not going to get very far tonight but I'm going to work my way through the Indiana game. Looking at two things in particular.

On running plays, I think we ran noticeably more slow-developing running plays than normal (which we usually do too much of for my taste). I think especially with a patched-together offensive line, we needed to be hitting the hole faster so they didn't have to block for so long.

On passing plays, it seemed like we almost completely went away from giving TA the easy throws that had let him be efficient the previous three games. We did run a couple later in the game but we had been living on them previously.

Well see what shows up.....

 

[Mavric]

First Possession

1&10, -25

We're in trouble right off the bat as we have six guys to block seven. Then we run a slow zone read look - but it's not a zone read because we don't leave anyone unblocked which could have evened the odds. Instead the DL already has good penetration before Newby can even take a step and he loses a yard.

2&11, -24

First pass play and we give TA an easy throw. Morgan hitches up at four yards, TA hits him and he turns it into a 12 yard gain. DPE also hitching up at the bottom.

1&10, -36

An actual zone read but much better numbers. Slow developing but the line gets a decent push and Newby breaks a couple tackles to gain 9.

2&1, -45

Play-action deep shot is a nice call on 2nd & short. Unfortunately TA's mechanics are terrible and he underthrows Reimers - who had a couple steps on the DB - by 5-6 yards and the pass gets broken up.

3&1, -45

Can't say that I care for the line up in the I, shift to the short offset I thing we love to run in short yardage as it pretty much telegraphs what we're going to do. But it is a quick hitter that gets Bryant just enough for the first down.

1&10, -46

I don't mind a draw play even though it falls in the slow-developing category as it's at least a kind of disguise for what you're doing. Nice hole by the line and Newby's cut almost springs him. Gain of 11.

1&10, +43

Double-whammy of slow-developing and running sideways. Line gets their blocks well but an unblocked LB and Safety meet Newby at the line - gain of 2.

2&8, +41

Another easy throw for TA as he's late with the throw but Cotton is still able to turn the short throw into a 17 yard gain.

1&10, +24

ABC didn't get back from their graphic in time to see the play which was TA running for no gain.

2&10, +24

Slow developing zone read look. Line gets the guys they went after but no one blocked the play-side LB and he stops Newby for a gain of 1. I'm guessing the blitz from the Nickel screwed it up as he got blocked but messed up the numbers game.

3&9, +23

This play was all sorts of screwed up. Morgan is covered so he's ineligible. Gates doesn't pick up anyone despite two rushers from his side and Newby thought Gates was blocking outside so he let the outside go to pressure TA. Added up to an incomplete pass - TA was looking deep the entire way.

4&9, +23

Brown hits the FG to put us up 3-0

 

[Mavric]

So on the first possession:

Slow-Developing Runs: 5 for 22, 1 first down

Quick-Hitting Runs: 1 for 1, 1 first down

Easy Passes: 2/2 for 29 yards, 2 first downs

Deep Passes: 0/2 for 0 yards

Draw play that's kind of a tweener as far as these categories go helped the stats.

 

[Mavric]

Second Possession

1&10, -36

Outside zone to Bryant. It's a quick hitter but it's a very tough reach for Utter out to a DT lined up head-up on the guard. Utter also hurts his hand on the play. Bryant loses 2.

2&12, -34

Very good protection for TA and Reilly comes up with the SportsCenter play of the day for 45 yards.

1&10, +22

Another slow-developing, run sideways play that goes nowhere.

2&9, +21

Play action pass with some odd protection - we pulled a guard to block the DE but he and Newby aren't on the same page. Only two guys in the pattern and aren't open. Incomplete.

3&9, +21

Nice pick play gets Reimers open right in front of TA. Had TA led him properly he might have scored a TD. Instead he picks up 17 down to the 4.

1&G, +4

Zone read and Newby scores.

 

[Mavric]

Second Possession:

Slow-Developing Runs: 2 for 5, 1 TD
Quick-Hitting Runs: 1 for -2

Easy Passes: 1/1 for 17 yards, 1 first down
Deep Passes: 1/2 for 45 yards, 1 first down


Total:

Slow-Developing Runs: 7 for 27, 1 first down, 1 TD
Quick-Hitting Runs: 2 for -1, 1 first down

Easy Passes: 3/3 for 46 yards, 3 first downs
Deep Passes: 1/4 for 45 yards, 1 first down

Draw play that's kind of a tweener as far as these categories go helped the stats.

 

[MichiganDad3]

Thank you! Very insightful.