Monday, December 15, 2014

Play of the Day: Dan Mullen Adjusts to Auburn's Cover 0



The play is taken from The Mississippi State vs. Auburn game earlier this season. Auburn had been giving Mississippi State Cover 0 on third down most of the game up to this point. This defense is called in anticipation of a longer pass concept. It is designed to create pressure quickly and force an early throw short of the sticks. Dan Mullen picks up on this and decides to run an inside zone scheme out of empty with attached bubble screens. The play is diagrammed below.




The attached bubble screens ensure that the defense allocates five defenders to cover the five receivers. If the defense decides to blitz off the slot, Prescott has the option to throw to the uncovered slot. The inside zone scheme leaves the backside defensive end unblocked, which creates a 5 on 5 matchup for the offensive line. The key block against this defensive front is the right tackle getting inside of the 3 technique to seal him off.



The next figure shows the right tackle working down the line of scrimmage to cut off the 3 technique, as well as the other developing blocks.



The next figure will give any offensive line coach a tingle. The right tackle has sealed the 3 technique. The center is double teaming the front side 3 technique that has stunted inside,  and will eventually work up to the inside linebacker.



The last figure shows the center about to seal off the front side inside linebacker, creating a hole that Dan Mullen himself could run through. The play results in a touchdown.



I have always been a fan of the Dan Mullen – Urban Meyer style of spread offense. It is a mutt of many old pro-style 2 back schemes mixed with option football. I want to spend more time analyzing both Meyer and Mullen this past season and see how the offenses have evolved and what Tom Herman has brought to it as well. If you have any resources on them please leave it in a comment, I would appreciate it.

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