Oregon’s Unbalanced Run Game Touchdown
Mario Cristobal and his Oregon Ducks offensive staff had an excellent game plan yesterday for the UCLA Bruins. They ran multiple unbalanced line formations throughout the afternoon and it gave the Bruins problems. Let’s take a look at one example of the Oregon unbalanced run game right here.
This particular play took place early in the 4th quarter with 14:02 on the clock. Oregon had the ball on the UCLA 43 yard line. The score is 27-17 in Oregon’s favor. The eventual final score was Oregon 34-31, just in case you think this is a “cleanup” play at the end of at the game.
Oregon has 11 personnel on the field. #12 is their tight end. It’s the formation that we want you to take a close look at. Throughout the entire game Oregon was lining up in unbalanced formations. In this case the widest receiver on the right is covering up #3 for Oregon. This makes #3 ineligible for a pass. On the other side of the ball, the left tackle for Oregon is eligible because he is not covered up.
UCLA has good coaches too. They recognize this. The Bruins know that they must cover the eligibles and make any adjustments that the unbalanced look presents them. It actually looks like UCLA might have a 5 man pressure called as #24 comes off the edge.
Ohio State Receivers Are Getting Coached
Here is what makes this formation really hard. Oregon motions to what might as well be an empty set before the snap. It looks like a bubble screen or bubble sweep to #21 all day and all night. Even though Oregon’s receiver #3 is not eligible, that doesn’t mean he can’t block. In order to defend the bubble screen, the secondary and linebackers bite hard on the bubble look.
Oregon’s Unbalanced Run Game Can Fit Your Offense
Chritobal’s Ducks had other ideas. They snapped the ball and the quarterback ran a weak side QB counter. The numbers were so good that the pulling tight end blocked the safety, not the linebacker. Oregon’s unbalanced run game play resulted in a walk-in touchdown. Once again, this game was a three point game at the end. This was a huge play.
Before you watch the video below that shows exactly how Oregon pulled this off, keep this in mind. This is a unbalanced run game scheme that you can use with your youth football or high school football team. Your players have to understand what you are doing, but it will force the defense to line up and adjust every time you snap the ball.
WATCH VIDEO TO SEE OREGON’S UNBALANCED RUN GAME 43 YARD TOUCHDOWN
