App State Film Review: ASU Third Quarter

There were a lot of plays in this quarter that should translate with the change. Individual plays really stood out because UofL has guys that can do what the plays are designed to accomplish. That even includes some offensive line play. This quarter was much more offense heavy than the first half but they opened things up a bit in the second half.

App State Ball, 1st and 10

I love everything about this throw from Zac Thomas. You can see that he gets his eyes up quickly to his first read after the play fake. He’s looking for the slot receiver but the safety is there to play it so he immediately goes to the second option outside. The timing is really outstanding because there is no wasted motion from him. By the time he hitches up he’s done with his first read. Then it’s just down to him taking a step and throwing this ball where the defender isn’t. The ball placement is perfect because it takes the receiver outside and back to the ball. He’s the only guy that can get to it and he can make a play after the catch.

App State Ball, 1st and 10

This is another play that we didn’t see with the previous staff. They run this action on run plays all the time but on this play they actually hand it to the receiver in motion. It’s a pretty common play but the added wrinkle is just another way to add to the offense.

The blocking scheme is really cool on this play. Four of the linemen block the play to the left even while moving to the right. It’s a confusing look for the defense because everything is moving to the right. Even though that’s because they’re pushing people to the right. It pretty much looks like outside zone to the right, which the offense runs a lot.

App State Ball, 2nd and 5

This play design is similar to something that we would see every once in a while with the previous staff. It’s a bunch formation with the receivers going different directions in an effort to cause confusion. This play adds some complexity because of the motion as well as the tight end running the wheel route from the inside spot. The really nice part of this play is the running back leaking out of the backfield. I think this play would work really well against man coverage. It probably works here with a better throw.

ASU Ball, 1st and 10

Clifton Duck is listed at 5-10/170 but he comes up and delivers a big blow and dumps a big receiver on his head. These secondary players for App State did a great job this year of getting up the field and taking guys legs out to make open field tackles. It is really impressive to see them make tackles like this, also.

App State Ball, 2nd and 10

This play has Tutu Atwell written all over it. I really like seeing the modern aspects of this offense. This isn’t unbelievably fancy but it is the exact type of play that we never saw from the last staff. It’s a play that most innovative offenses have in it and I’m just happy to see that we could see it. This offense is about 70% traditional and the rest of it is a very good mix of creative run and pass plays that will create chunk plays and big plays.

App State Ball, 1st and 10

There’s no reason that UofL’s offensive line can’t block a play like this next season. This is just a basic ISO run. The backside guard cuts down the backside defensive tackle. The center “scoops” to the middle linebacker. The right guard and the right tackle take their guys and kick them out to the right. Then the h-back is responsible for the play side outside linebacker.

As much as I worry about the line being able to do everything that this offense asks, this is what they should be able to do very well. This is a play that doesn’t ask much of anything other than play like you’re a 300+ pound human. While App State really loved the outside zone, there’s a chance that UofL relies on ISO runs.

App State Ball, 2nd and 5

I believe this is a RPO. I’m basing that on the h-back slipping his block and going out for a route. I’ve been begging for RPOs for a few years now and I’ve seen a few from this offense in the games I’ve watched. It can be hard to tell on the plays where the quarterback doesn’t pull it, though.

I also want to point out Darrynton Evans again. This kid wasn’t a big time recruit but he was a Florida kid who could absolutely fly. I really like his patience here as he waits for the blocks to develop. Then he turns on the jets and he runs so violently that his entire body is in overdrive. He’s a really good example of the staff’s ability to evaluate talent and then develop players into more than just athletes. Evans was one of the better running backs in the entire country this year.

App State Ball, 1st and 10

A succinct way to describe UofL’s new offense is: They make you run man coverage and then they beat you with “man-beaters” all day. That’s what you’re seeing on this play. It’s a simple “smash” concept with the outside receiver running a hitch and the slot guy running a go route to the corner. The safety isn’t even a factor because of the play action and the pass rush is nullified by the fact that it’s a three step drop. This play is all about beating man coverage and my favorite part is that the motion means that you’re going to get your best receiver in Corey Sutton on their safety. Simple little things in this offense give them the advantage.

App State Ball, 3rd and Goal

We have a Jump Pass in the playbook now. That is all.