Chalk Talk: Offensive Line, Game Plan, the Unsung Heroes of OSU’s Upset

Oklahoma State had many contributors to their 38-35 win last Saturday, but one of the biggest reasons why they upset the Longhorns was the play of their offensive line. The Cowboys pounded the Horns on the ground, running the ball 51 times for 181 yards. They used only a small amount of run plays, but the simplicity allowed the line to focus on execution. It played out well, as the line looked the best it has all season against a team that stifled the Cowboy run game just a year ago.

Texas thrives in occupying the interior lineman to let the linebackers flow freely, but the Cowboys came out with an intelligent game plan. That defense works best on inside runs, so they changed their primary point of attack and constantly challenge the edge with wide zone, split zone and cross buck actions, and outnumbering the defense outside the B and C gaps.

Take this play, for example. The Cowboys are in a split backfield and run a cross buck play to the outside.

Texas’ end man on the line of scrimmage tries to establish the edge and rip Shane Richards’ (67) block to the outside, but he’s so far inside that he overruns the play. This frees Larry WIlliams (56) from an outside threat, allowing him to climb to the second level and explode onto the linebacker.

Here’s another great example of second-level blocking. The Cowboys are again with split backs and run a wide lead zone to the weak side of the formation.

Marcus Keyes (75) operates what’s similar to a log block, hooking off the end man on the line of scrimmage, which frees up Teven Jenkins (73) to climb from the end to the linebacker and make an excellent block.

Here’s one more example of the line dominating the point of attack. The Cowboys are in a tackle-over set with Jelani Woods aligned where the left tackle should be. OSU is running a “pop” play with the tight end running toward the seam and the slot receiver on a bubble in the flat. The 3 technique defensive lineman on the play side doesn’t widen enough before the ball is snapped, allowing the line to seal the edge and give an open crease for Chuba Hubbard.

This excellent blocking doesn’t just apply to the lineman, though. The Cowboy Backs did their part in aiding the run game as well.

Here’s a great block from Britton Abbott on the split zone read that allows Taylor Cornelius to scamper close to the end zone (and notice Dylan Galloway, 76, occupying a linebacker out in open space).

The Cowboys’ line wasn’t perfect, but you can tell OSU’s coaching staff simplified what they were trying to do, which allowed the line to execute a handful of run plays at a high level. The Cowboys have found their winning formula against Texas in terms of how to run the ball. How they attack the Baylor Bears, who use a different defensive personnel, will be a major theme this coming week. But last Saturday’s performance should give fans hope that this offense, and offensive line, are worlds away from just a few weeks ago.