Film Study: How OSU Can Use the Pass as a Run

The next play we are focusing on is something most of us have been asking for, using the pass as a run play. Here OSU is line up with a single WR to the left, two WR to the right and a two back set. Notice how far off the DBs are playing? This is because OSU has burned them a couple of times on deep passes.

OSU has had success over the top, KU is having to adjust and back off. This opens up the short intermediate passes, when the defense starts pulling linebackers out to stop the intermediate passes, which will start to open the run game.

Once the ball is snapped Rudolph does a play action, which sucks all the linebackers towards the line of scrimmage. It’s first and ten at around midfield, OSU normally runs in this situation. This is an excellent play call, because of game situation, KU is going to bite on the play action, because OSU has hit some big plays, KU is playing off the WR. This leaves the 5-10 yard passes wide open.

The WR runs a simple ten yard comeback and Rudolph makes the easy pitch and catch. He also had Glidden open over the middle of the field and Carson open in the flats. OSU can march up and down the field running plays like this. As soon as the corners and safeties cheat up, you go over the top. When the linebackers stop biting on play action, you hand it off. A

ll OSU is doing is putting the ball in the hands of a playmaker, the WR catches it at the 42, which three yards short of the first down. Even if he had been tackled right when he caught it, it’s second and three.

Finally, let’s look at Jeff Carr’s first TD.

OSU lines up in a two back set with single WR to the right and two WR to the left. Walsh motions Carr from the slot to the backfield. This takes the defender with him, which tells you what coverage KU is in. Now you have man to man on the right side, perfect scenario for a fade route.

This is my favorite play of the day, I’ve been meaning to say this, OSU needs to use the diamond formation with two tailbacks. I feel like they did this with Randle and Smith consistently back in 2011 and 2012. The reason I prefer this is the misdirection you can create, you can have a tailback and fullback go one direction and hand it off to the other back going the other direction.

If Carr and the fullback run to the left and Walsh turns hands it to Carson going right, the linebackers will be out of position to make a play. I would prefer they run this formation at other spots on the field. You can do play action and have Carr go out for a pass, dump it to him behind a linebacker and let his speed do the rest. You can line up starting out in the diamond and motion the fullback and Carr out wide. Now you have a mismatch of speed on one side and a mismatch of size on the other. It’s a versatile formation, one I hope they use more often.

Because of JW’s running ability and the line blocking down, the linebackers have to stay home. This creates enough space to the left side for a nice running lane.

The line lets the play-side linebacker run free. JW hands the ball off to Carr, now Carr has two lead blockers in Carson and the fullback. The fullback seals the middle linebacker and Carson kicks out the play-side backer. JW continues his play fake up the middle, virtually taking out the rest of the backers. Carr walks in for an easy touchdown.

This was a well-called ball game. I thought Yurcich did a great job on misdirection and spreading the ball out. I under this is Kansas, but outside of UTSA, OSU hasn’t really lit up the scoreboard. I also noticed that Jesse Robinson got the start, I really liked how he fired off the line. I’m hoping this is something OSU can build on and work their way towards continuing to improve the offense.

We’ll get a chance to find out this week at Tech, hopefully we’ll see more improvement from here on out. Like I said, if they can find a way to consistently run the ball, this OSU team will become a dangerous team to face.