Line Segment: OSU’s OL Fares Well against 3-Man Front

The Cardiac Cowboys strike again, winning for the second time this year on a late interception in the end zone.

Against a stingy Iowa State defense, Oklahoma State was able to put up over 500 yards and 49 points. Mike Yurcich continues to evolve the offense reasonably well, in response to opposing defenses providing looks that challenge the identity of the Oklahoma State offense.

As we’ve seen in previous games, the coaching staff was adamant on establishing the run game early and often against Iowa State who came out in their standard 3-man front.  This plan worked for the most part as Justice Hill went over 100 yards in the first half, and accounted for two of the three first half touchdowns.

One change that has been apparent the last few weeks is the adjustment to pull more linemen on both run and RPO plays. While facing a 3-man front you’re able to take one or even both of the linemen (there are examples of both below) who are not responsible for blocks at the line of scrimmage and pull them into the particular gap you’re running in.

Although injuries have played a role, the OSU line didn’t seem as comfortable finding the linebackers at the second level in a zone scheme when facing 3-man fronts as we saw versus Texas. The coaching staff decided to start pulling the lineman to attack them in designed gaps, and I think you’ve seen an uptick in production since.

The run game on paper didn’t look great, but in the second half the offense opened up the passing game quite a bit which really impacted the box score. Overall Oklahoma State had 37 rushes for 146 yards and 3.9 yards per carry, one of the worst rushing performances of the season. One thing to keep in mind is that although ISU showed 3-man fronts the majority of the day, they still were committing a lot to the run game, especially in the second half.

There were moments where the line showed its ability to open up rushing lanes, in addition to plays where Justice Hill made them look a lot better than they are. Luckily for OSU fans, Hill is starting to really improve his vision. However, there are also too many instances where this line makes mental mistakes and is overpowered, which is something that has been a consistent theme throughout the season.

The pass protection is going to be hard to analyze because of the defensive strategy.  Iowa State rarely brought pressure and relied on 3 to 4-man rush almost the entire game, frequently bringing a delayed blitz by a linebacker sitting in coverage. Mason Rudolph had plenty of time on majority of his drop backs, which led to a lot of  big plays that were unscheduled down the field. Regardless, the offensive line played extremely well in pass protection given the circumstances. Iowa State was credited with two sacks, but both were situations where Rudolph held the ball for an extended time period due to excellent coverage downfield.

A note that is unrelated to the offensive line, Mason Rudolph was tremendous in the pocket. He was able to buy extra time while keeping his eyes down the field, which led to several big passing plays at crucial parts of the game. This has been his biggest area of improvement year over year.

Film Observations:

1. Here is a great example of strong pass protection against a 3-man rush. Again, this isn’t anything mind blowing and is something that is generally expected. Oklahoma State was able to provide some pressure with 3-man rush looks on defense, so it’s not always guaranteed. It’s not ideal that Crabtree is getting trucked by a DE/LB though, he’s better than this. Subtle movements by Rudolph in the pocket to buy time, watch how his eyes are almost always down the field.

2. This is OSU running power,  pulling both guards. Not exactly textbook here on the lead blockers, but good enough to spring Hill for a nice gain. Johnny Wilson is able to get a nice block on Joel Lanning. Great play call considering ISU had a blitz called on the weak side. Nice work by Hill falling forward for an extra 3 yards after contact. This is definitely an adjustment recently, as this is something not really associated with Yurcich’s offense recently.

3. Pass protection was not a problem. Good team blocking here, again Rudolph with a nice step up to help out Keyes. Not too impressed with individual pass rushers from Iowa State. This is actually one of the few times ISU brought some pressure, there is no one within 3 yards of touching Rudolph.

4. This was a well designed blitz, as ISU brought a linebacker right behind their DT to confuse blocking responsibility. It works as Lundblade is too late to peel off and block the linebacker. Nice awareness by Keyes to slide all the way over. Again nice subtle pocket movements to avoid the sack and pick up 6 to 7 yards on a QB scramble.

5. Missed cutblock by Aaron Cochran, Johnny Wilson is beat inside. There is a lot of early penetration on this play, which is not ideal. Nice work by Crabtree here driving the DE outside to create a lane. Justice Hill somehow gets 4 yards on this play. Check out James Washington here, he’s really becoming a solid blocker on the outside.

6. This is one of the two sacks allowed by Oklahoma State. Again, plenty of time to survey the field and a nice pocket to step up into. Joel Lanning is playing spy and able to attack once everyone has cleared out. Chalk this up as a reason you don’t get into third and 15 in the first place.

7. This is a play the offensive line should watch over and over again. The whole left side of the line is unable to engage and drive anyone back. Just an awful play all together.

8. Great pass protection, again from 3 man rush.  Same situation as before with Lanning hanging out as a spy waiting for Rudolph to step up.  Great work stepping up into the pocket, evading the linebacker and resets for a big gain.

9. Off-tackle play here. Another disaster play. Cochran is unable to seal the backside, Keyes is sliding and doesn’t make an impact. Brad Lundblade is really the only player on the entire line able to make his block somewhat effectively. Johnny Wilson is engaged and unable to get push, same story with Crabtree. To make matters worse, Britton Abbott and James Washington whiff on their block to seal the outside. Please burn this tape.

10. Here is the second sack of Rudolph. This is another coverage sack, and a reasonably good job by the offensive line on protection. Although Rudolph was able to avoid a lot of pressure, the spying linebacker who would ultimately come on a delayed blitz did cause some trouble once the pocket broke down.

11. First, a really nice job by Cochran blocking down and sealing the edge. Wilson is pulling and doesn’t get a textbook block here, but gets in the way enough to open up the hole. Also nice work by Dillon Stoner on the safety to help clear the rushing lane.

12. I thought Aaron Cochran had one of his better games as a Cowboy. Although he was called for a costly holding penalty the play before this, he rebounded well. Has good feet here to withstand the inside move, followed by a spin move. The two double teams do their job, and you have a QB that has as much time as he wants versus a 3-man rush, which is how it should be.

13. This play is created partly because ISU decided to slant their defensive line, but props to Cochran for burying his guy into the grass. After watching this play I gave him a standing ovation in my office. This is what I like to see out of your lineman up front on the goal line. Hill has to time this better, you have to pause a little longer to allow his backside blocker to cross the formation on the counter.

14. Nice work by Crabtree here. He’s not overly physical so has tendency to get beat on physical bull rushes, but he keeps his leverage after getting knocked back initially. Rebounds well after initial rush is stopped. 

I think we have a good idea of what the identity is of the Oklahoma State offensive line at this point in the season, which I really think helps you scheme effectively week-to-week. There isn’t a weak link so to speak in the group, and from an overall unit perspective it’s a quality group.

They will struggle when there are overly-physical defensive linemen from the opponent, and well-timed blitzes to beat zone-blocking concepts. Otherwise this is a unit that should be a strength going into the last three (maybe four?) games of the year.