Breaking down 2 huge 4th quarter plays for Penn State

[PennStateBreakdown]

In the first play we look at Sean Clifford's third down run to move the chains in the 4th quarter. Penn State uses another power read variation at a key point in the game.



In this second clip we look at Noah Cain's 4th quarter touchdown. It starts out the same as the play above, but includes a small wrinkle that I'm sure we will be seeing more of in the future.

 

[pandaczar12]

Took you long enough!

JK... keep up the good work!

 

[PennStateBreakdown]

Took you long enough!

JK... keep up the good work!

Yeah haha. Things have been a little busy. I'll try to get a few more up this week

 

[ram2020]

Yeah Man, these are great. I find myself waiting for you to post them, great job, keep them coming.

 

[PSU2UNC]

What in the world is the DE doing there? He's crashing to where there is no potential ball carrier (i.e. he's not crashing Clifford). It's almost like he's crashing to Bowers, but that makes no sense.

 

[LongJakk]

Any chance that you have the play they called a penalty to give iowa a 1st down instead of punting from the 4?

 

[sluggo72]

What in the world is the DE doing there? He's crashing to where there is no potential ball carrier (i.e. he's not crashing Clifford). It's almost like he's crashing to Bowers, but that makes no sense.

the OP explained there is a potential ball carrier, the TE on the shuffle (shuddle?) pass to the TE coming around following the OG. If he comes up field, lots of room to run that.

 

[sluggo72]

It is not in the video clip..... but just before the ball is snapped, the BoxLBer (#32) shifted from out in the field (basically, where Cain ended up running to) to smack-dab into the middle of the field.
Why? IDK

Good chance there was a miscommunication - - - - and that #32 was supposed to be the outside support (and, if he stayed where he initially aligned, he can easily get out to Cain before he heads upfield).

If #32 was indeed responsible for that job, and #94 (the DE) knows that he is supposed to be out there, his job (#94) may very well be to take on that lead blocker (Miranda) so as to prevent him from getting out and onto the LBer (#32)….. much like most DL play in the Iowa system (taking on the traffic, so as to let the LBers flow to the ball)


In any event, likely a miscommunication w the DE and the LB with regard to their responsibilities.

imo, and only from watching the clip, 32 moves inside as he m/m on the RB, Iowa is m/m across the board it appears. So far up until this game, and the OP notes this, on running plays, the back if hes to the QB's left always runs right, either on inside zone, or the power read play, etc Because 32 is M/M on the RB he moves inside to help himself on those plays, he has the back. the backside LBer most likely has the QB. The DE, if he gets block down (which he does) is coached to close down.
Now on this play, one of my pet peeves relative to how PSU blocks, is #53. He is to help on the double team block with 74 on the DT. He gets his shoulders turned to the LOS. if he stays square, puts his right arm out and helps secure 74 on the block, he can now come off square, and get his hat on 32 who is chasing the back. 32 almost gets the RB, but our RB is too fast. Norm is correct, if 32 stays lined up where he was, or ever shaded a little bit wider, he can make that play (especially with the way 53 tries to get him) You are down on the goal line, you have to pick your poison sometimes, Off the top of my head, we hadnt shown this play prior to this game.

 

[PennStateBreakdown]

What in the world is the DE doing there? He's crashing to where there is no potential ball carrier (i.e. he's not crashing Clifford). It's almost like he's crashing to Bowers, but that makes no sense.

He was playing it like it was split zone. In a lot of defenses/plays the ends are taught to "squeeze" the play. Go back and look at some of the videos I broke down where we run split zone and you will see DEs squeezing plays. That being said, the kid had complete tunnel vision and was clueless about the ball.

 

[Grant Green]

View embedded media

In the first play we look at Sean Clifford's third down run to move the chains in the 4th quarter. Penn State uses another power read variation at a key point in the game.

View embedded media

In this second clip we look at Noah Cain's 4th quarter touchdown. It starts out the same as the play above, but includes a small wrinkle that I'm sure we will be seeing more of in the future.

Great stuff. Thanks!!

 

[PennStateBreakdown]

It is not in the video clip..... but just before the ball is snapped, the BoxLBer (#32) shifted from out in the field (basically, where Cain ended up running to) to smack-dab into the middle of the field.
Why? IDK

Good chance there was a miscommunication - - - - and that #32 was supposed to be the outside support (and, if he stayed where he initially aligned, he can easily get out to Cain before he heads upfield).

If #32 was indeed responsible for that job, and #94 (the DE) knows that he is supposed to be out there, his job (#94) may very well be to take on that lead blocker (Miranda) so as to prevent him from getting out and onto the LBer (#32)….. much like most DL play in the Iowa system (taking on the traffic, so as to let the LBers flow to the ball)


In any event, likely a miscommunication w the DE and the LB with regard to their responsibilities.

I would guess that they were reacting to our "audible". Like I said, especially in the red zone we have run so much power read to the side opposite of the back, I think they were adjusting to that. Other than Clifford's third down run, we haven't run to the runningbacks side hardly at all this year.

 

[PSU2UNC]

He was playing it like it was split zone. In a lot of defenses/plays the ends are taught to "squeeze" the play. Go back and look at some of the videos I broke down where we run split zone and you will see DEs squeezing plays. That being said, the kid had complete tunnel vision and was clueless about the ball.

Makes sense, thanks.

 

[ram2020]

I have been bringing it up for the last 2 years, why does this team ONLY run inside zone? Specifically, I said, if we could just pitch the ball to the runningback and see if he can get the edge, it would keep defenses honest in that they would have to cover sideline to sideline. Very happy to see that be apart of our game now. You pitch it 3 times outside and it should loosen up the middle for the inside zone.

 

[sluggo72]

I have been bringing it up for the last 2 years, why does this team ONLY run inside zone? Specifically, I said, if we could just pitch the ball to the runningback and see if he can get the edge, it would keep defenses honest in that they would have to cover sideline to sideline. Very happy to see that be apart of our game now. You pitch it 3 times outside and it should loosen up the middle for the inside zone.

And who says CJF doesn’t read these message boards !!!!