The Gators’ offensive line was supposed to be one of its strengths this season, but for much of the game against Miami on Saturday, it looked more like swiss cheese than a group of three hundred pound road graders. Much of the credit for that has to go to Miami’s defense, however. Miami employed an excellent scheme using a variety of stunts to push around and confuse the offensive line, resulting in a lack of rushing lanes and a harassed Heisman Trophy winner.
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Many of their blitzes involved using the speed of their linebackers to quickly get up a head of steam and slam into and through our linemen and disrupt our blocking, having an effect on both our passing and running game. The zone read play the Gators ran with Kestahn Moore in the 12:45 mark in the second quarter is a perfect example. Here’s what’s happening in the box:
Miami lined up in a 4-3 against UF’s double tight end look, spreading out the tackles. At first glance, this seems like a favorable situation for success with the zone read, with the interior line having natural blocking angles on the defensive tackles and a perfect setup to wall off the linebackers at the second level. Even the numbers game is in the Gators’ favor, with 7 blockers to account for 6 defenders and one being accounted for through the read. Things quickly break down before the snap, however.
- The weakside linebacker shows blitz at the playside B-gap, with the playside end widening out, causing left tackle Phil Trautwein to make a line call asking for help from Marcus Gilbert at left guard. Before the snap, he backs off and drops into coverage.
- The middle linebacker stunts into the backside A-gap, running into center Maurkice Pouncey with a full head of steam before he is even out of his crouch and drawing a double team from right guard Mike Pouncey.
- Tim Tebow correctly reads the backside tackle, giving the ball to Moore as the tackle rushes upfield through the backside C-gap.
- The strongside linebacker follows behind the mike linebacker, stunting into the playside A-gap, meeting Moore behind the line of scrimmage. Right tackle Jason Watkins is left with nobody to block.
It took a while, but UF finally adjusted in the 4th quarter. Use of the perimeter and quick passing game negated the Miami rush and helped us move the chains. Brandon James’ big gain on a bubble screen with 10:05 left in the 4th quarter is an excellent example of a play to take those blitzing linebackers out of the play.
Miami is showing a 3 down linemen nickel look and bringing 6 on the play. Tebow’s initial check is the safeties. If the free safety is overplaying the screen, Tebow will check off and throw to his single-side receiver in single coverage.
- In this case, Miami’s free safety is positioned left of the hash, leaving Aaron Hernandez, Percy Harvin, and Riley Cooper to block 2 corners and a safety. This is a very favorable matchup.
- Tebow quickly and accurately gets the ball to Brandon James so that he can continue forward without breaking stride and before the defense has time to recover from their blitz and pursue the ball carrier.
- At this point, it is simply a numbers game, and UF has the advantage. The 3 outside receivers do an outstanding job of blocking the corner, nickel, and free safety. Much like a kick return, James reads his blocks and weaves his way to a 23 yard gain.
Notes:
• I loved how our defense swarmed the ball. It really seems like this year when there’s a chance for a play, someone comes off their block and makes it, with several other defenders quick to assist. We’re playing as a unit rather than a bunch of individuals. The secondary, in particular, has put out a pair of impressive performances. The less you hear the corners’ names called, the better, because it means they are doing a good job blanketing their man.
• Meyer isn’t kidding when he says Percy has the quickest first step he’s ever seen. I had forgotten how quickly he explodes out of the backfield, but was reminded when he took his first direct snap. He’s got to be more involved with the offense the rest of the year than he was against Miami.
• Riley Cooper is possibly the best blocking receiver I’ve seen in a long time. He consistently sustains his blocks and drove his man 25 yards down field on the bubble screen mentioned above.
Looking forward:
• I imagine our future opponents will try to do some of the same things Miami did defensively. I have no doubt that Meyer, Mullen, and Addazio are already at work on blocking schemes and plays to counteract similar attacks. Of the teams on our schedule though, I think only LSU and possibly Georgia have the athletes and speed in the front 7 to potentially execute it successfully. Tennessee is going to try in two weeks, but I don’t think it will work out for them very well. Be sure to watch the Vols this weekend, as their performance and execution will be telling as far as their attitude and morale coming off their loss to UCLA.