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2002
Play Spotlight- Penn State
In this week's play spotlight I'm going to break down how Michigan
scored their third touchdown against Penn State to tie the score at 21 late
in the 4th quarter.
The Michigan Formation
Michigan came out in
the following formation:
On the
previous play the Wolverines had run the ball out of a similar
formation for a loss.
The Penn State Defense
Penn State was
clearly determined to stop any run up the middle.
The middle
linebackers are up in the gaps, ready to hammer any kind of kind of dive by
either running back.
The Play
First, #89 lined up
to the right, goes into motion and lines up on the left of the
formation. This is an attempt to clear zone where #83 TE Bennie
Joppru will be sliding into after the snap of the ball. He is
the first option on this play. Second, #16 QB John Navarre fakes
the hand-off to #23 RB Chris Perry- this freezes the middle
linebackers to keep them 'up' in the box and out of the passing zones.
Chris Perry fills as #35 RB B.J. Askew slides out into the flat.
Askew is the safety valve- option 2 if Joppru is covered. #80 WR
Braylon Edwards runs a simple pattern to the back of the end zone- he
is option 3.
The Penn State Reaction
It's a great play-
in theory, but Penn State has been watching tape. They know that
the Michigan tendency in this situation is to run the ball up the
middle or hit TE Bennie Joppru. The basic defensive formation
precludes the run and they cover Bennie Joppru as he goes out for the
pass.
The Action
QB John Navarre
checks through option 1 and 2. Both are well covered. A
pass to either Joppru or Askew would have had a good chance of being
intercepted. The right side is also well defended against
Navarre from taking off and trying to run the ball in. The good
news is that the line is blocking well and Navarre has time to find
option 3 Braylon Edwards in the back of the end zone, waiting for him
to clear not only the two men converging on him but also the
linebacker who dropped back into pass coverage after the initial play
action.
Conclusion
This was is one of
the best
plays that John Navarre has pulled off so far in his Michigan career. Considering how well Penn State has this covered a
'safe' incomplete pass would have been acceptable. A touchdown
is just outstanding...
Go Blue!
Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM- By Fans...For Fans
phil@umgoblue.com
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