The Situation
There are 2 minutes and 28 seconds left in the third quarter, and Michigan’s offense is like, kinda sucking. And by “kinda sucking” I mean “had 31 yards in the entire game prior to this drive.” However, with 54 yards already racked up in this one drive, a touchdown would be the perfect thing to break the offensive funk. It would also put Michigan down by only 12 points, despite Wisconsin dominating most of the first three quarters. They might just be able to get back into the game…
The Personnel and Formation
Michigan is on the right hash in a basic spread set. Brandon Minor is the running back to Steven Threet’s left. Greg Mathews and Junior Hemingway are the wideouts to the left and right, respectively. In the left slot is Martavious Odoms. At slot on the right side is tight end Kevin Koger, appearing in a game for the first time this year. Wisconsin counters with a 3-2-6 dime package. The four CB/Nickel players are head up over the receivers. The linebackers are head up over Threet and Minor. The two safeties are deep.
The PlayAt the snap, Threet takes a 3-step drop. Minor sets as though he’s pass blocking, though Wisconsin only comes on a three-man rush. Free of the duty of protecting Threet, Minor runs a short circle route out of the backfield. Odoms runs a 10-yard stop route. The other three receivers all run vertical routes, with Mathews and Hemingway on fly routes down the sideline, and Koger running a seam down the middle.
Why it Worked
First things first, if your receivers are able to get open against man coverage, this is an effective play call against 2-man-under defense. Considering Wisconsin had a nickel corner lined up in press coverage against a TE, Koger should be able to get open, the question is whether he’ll be able to maintain that separation. With his athleticism, Koger is able to defeat the defender down the field.
Now you know what it was like Inside the Play.
Posted under Analysis, Coaching
Tags: coaching, Football, inside the play, kevin koger, steven threet, wisconsin
Tim
I just wanted to add something I found out from another highlight of this play. Threet actually looks towards Mathews for a little while which forces the safety who’s assigned to Mathews to kinda stay around there just making sure he’s not there to break the pass up.
This looking-off was probably an element of the play but kudos to Threet for exec’ing perfectly.
-K
This is so awesome. Keep doing shit like this.
Fabulous stuff.
Correct me if I’m wrong though:
“and the five blockers (which would have been four with Minor if the LB had blitzed)”
If I understand correctly, wouldn’t Minor have been an additional blocker in the case of a LB blitz – bringing the count to six?