Line Segment: Offensive Line Paves Way for Career Day from Justice Hill

Oklahoma State put on a show offensively vs. Oklahoma, and the offensive line was a big component of the offense. They scored 52 points and racked up over 650 yards yards, but unfortunately they couldn’t get it done in the clutch to beat the Sooners.

Mason Rudolph had plenty of time to throw the ball on the majority of his drop backs, on his way to 448 yards passing and 5 TDs. Justice Hill had a career day rushing the ball 30 times for 228 yards and 2 TDs, good for a 7.6 yards/carry average.

It wasn’t all good for the Oklahoma State offensive line, as they were beat up at times on short yardage and goal line situations, in addition to giving up 3 sacks. We will get to this later on, but two of the three sacks weren’t related to ability to block, they were simply mental mistakes. Lack of communication and continuity are still apparent at times with this line given the transition, although it has improved drastically since the Texas game.

Anytime you rush for 200+ yards and allow your QB to sufficient time consistently, you have to be happy from a line production stand point.

From an individual perspective, both Marcus Keyes and Johnny Wilson played really well. I was a big Marcus Keyes fan coming into this season, and up to this point he had been a slight disappointment. He finally played the way I thought he could, and the run game was a direct result of some of that play. Wilson is showing why he won the job over the super versatile Tevin Jenkins (aka the nameless man). Both tackles were consistent at containing the edge, with some additional help.

One thing to note right out of the gates was an unmarked player (No. 97) who played at least 12 snaps as the 6th offensive lineman, he was also an eligible receiver for the majority of those snaps. This was Jenkins.

I wrote about ways to stop Obo Okoronkwo, and playing six lineman didn’t make the list, but I’m almost certain this was designed to try and control the pass rush on his side. More often than not Jenkins was lined up on Okoronkwo’s side, and there were several instances in which they ran the ball right at him. The strategy worked well as there were several successful plays created off this personnel, and none of the QB hurries or sacks occurred with No. 97 on the field.

He was actually able to be matched up with Okoronkwo several times 1 on 1, normally that would be a tight end. So you can see the strategy play out as instead you’re matching up one of your better lineman here.

Film observations

1. Jenkins actually ran two routes, and was uncovered and wide open on both plays. Rudolph chose to throw the ball elsewhere, I guess we will give him a pass since one of those plays was the 60 yard reception to Tyron Johnson. Notice him below on the top of the screen, chips Obo then peels off on a short route that is uncovered.

2. Crabtree misses his block on the backer, another instance where zone blocking and the defensive alignment fails you.  Backer was too far inside which caused Crabtree to actually go behind the line of scrimmage to try and block him. There was a big hole if Hill continues to follow this left behind Marcus Keyes, but he cuts it back early.

3. This is excellent run blocking. If Rudolph hands this ball off, Hill walks into the end zone. Don’t be a Box Score Watcher Guy, or you won’t catch these plays. See the kickout block on left side by No. 79 and seal by Marcus Keyes? Keyes is able to actually completely turn on his man opening  up a huge hole.

4. Johnny Wilson with an excellent block on the backer here to spring Hill for the TD. The line wasn’t great inside the 5 yard line, but this was great work here.

5. Example of chipping Obo, he was a point of emphasis for the OSU offensive line. They did a nice job containing him due to a variety of strategies, including this one.

6. This was one of the best play calls of the day. This is a passing down, and they use Obo’s speed rush against him as he takes himself out of the play. Keyes with an excellent rub then seals the backer on the 2nd level. Ateman with a nice block as well. This play is a thing of beauty.

7. This is one of the three sacks Oklahoma State gave up. It was a nice bull rush by Kenneth Mann, except the part about him trying to rip Marcus Keyes’ head off. Not sure how you miss this, clear penalty for illegal hands to the face. Nonetheless, nice pressure by Mann and a big turnover forced by the Sooners.

8. Max protect here with No. 79 and Justice Hill staying in. Rudolph has all day. He saw very little pressure throughout the game.

9. This was a bad miscommunication between Marcus Keyes and Aaron Cochran. Considering Obo starts to rush the passer, I believe this is a mistake on Keyes as he needs to be the primary blocker here. Cochran still is responsible for the edge even though Obo is chipped and then hangs back in coverage. Notice No. 97 on another route, completely uncovered at the bottom of your screen.

10. Another miscommunication that leads to a sack, this time on the right side of the line between Zach Crabtree and Johnny Wilson. Wilson helps inside when Crabtree is expecting him outside, and Obo is able to get to the QB easily. At the moment this was a drive killing sack against a 3 man rush, not great.

Overall a very nice performance by the Oklahoma State offensive line, they are hitting their stride down the final stretch of the season.