Insight from #3 Penn State OC & #4 Ohio State DC
Nov 02, 2024 2:01 pm
Coach -
This week, we’re spotlighting a pivotal clash in as the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the #3 Penn State Nittany Lions.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Ohio State, whose hopes for a Big Ten Championship hang in the balance. A loss would be a significant disappointment for a team that entered the season with lofty expectations, driven by a talented roster of seniors and promising transfers.
After a narrow loss to Oregon and a shaky win against Nebraska, questions loom over the Buckeyes' offensive line. With injuries complicating their front, they must quickly establish a solid running game and protect quarterback Will Howard against one of the nation’s top pass rushes.
Meanwhile, Penn State is riding high at 7-0, but their quarterback situation adds an intriguing twist to the matchup. Star Drew Allar is a game-time decision due to injury, which could open the door for backup Beau Pribula to make an impact.
With both teams showcasing impressive rosters, the focus will be on Ohio State’s ability to contain the Nittany Lions' running attack and their standout tight end, Tyler Warren. As both squads prepare for this fierce battle in a hostile environment, this game promises to be a defining moment for Ryan Day’s team as they look to reclaim their dominance in the Big Ten.
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Let’s take a look at how coaches on each side get it done.
Penn State - Handling the +1 Box
There’s two things that stick out in how Coach Kotelnicki runs offense. His organization and how he thinks about handling a plus one box. Let’s take a look at each of those aspects and how Coach Kotelnicki does it.
Quantifying the Call Sheet
One of the key factors in effective play calling is understanding down and distance statistics. Coach Kotelnicki pointed out the results of their study and what they know will come up on average per game.
By meticulously evaluating game averages over the years, you can determine the frequency of various down and distance situations they encounter during a game. Armed with this knowledge, you can develop a comprehensive call sheet that covers all possible scenarios.
This analysis helps you allocate practice time efficiently, ensuring that your team is well-prepared for the most common down and distance calls you are likely to face. To cover all situations Coach Kotelnicki and his staff will put together 90-105 calls each week. This covers all situations that they might encounter.
What to do with a +1 Box
Coach Kotelnicki points out the are four primary approaches that can be adopted to neutralize the plus one box. The first strategy involves opting for a pass play, exploiting the defensive focus on stopping the run. However, it is important to acknowledge situations where throwing the ball may not be the most suitable choice, such as when time management or personnel limitations come into play.
Another effective approach is to read the extra defender in the box, which is where the Run-Pass Option (RPO) concept becomes critical. By analyzing the movements and positioning of the additional defender, quarterbacks can make quick decisions to either hand off the ball or execute a pass play. This reading ability allows offenses to keep the defense guessing and opens up opportunities for successful plays.
Running away from the extra defender is another viable strategy to counter the plus one box. By implementing well-designed perimeter run plays, such as outside zone plays or sweeps, offenses can exploit the defensive alignment and create mismatches. The objective is to force the extra defender to chase the play away from their positioning, thereby nullifying their impact on the play.
Additionally, challenging the defender to make the tackle becomes the fourth strategy. This approach requires confidence in the offensive line's ability to create running lanes and the ball carrier's ability to break tackles. By daring the extra defender to make the play, offenses can apply pressure and potentially gain significant yardage.
“Arrow” RPO - to Read the Extra Defender
The extra defender can come from each level. In this example, Coach Kotelnicki explains the read off of the linebacker. The way the play is set up and the keys are pretty simple for the quarterback allowing for a quick decision and an easy throw. He illustrates several examples in this video:
Ohio State - Stop Rate
The total offense yards per game are on the rise as well with the uptempo style of the game and more plays being run as a factor. Yards per game are not the best indicator of success. Points will always be the bottom line.
As those points continue to rise, we need to look at what numbers define a good or great defense.
In his talk at the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator explained that “stop rate” is a better indicator of defensive success.
He shared, according to Max Olsen, senior writer for The Athletic, Stop rate is the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in a punt, turnover, or turnover on downs. This simple metric can offer a more accurate reflection of a defense’s effectiveness in today’s faster-tempo game than yards per game or even points per game.
Stop Rate is something Coach Knowles's defenses have been successful with. He shares what the stop rate is and the results in this video (click on image for video):
Every football play begins with stance and start.
For Coach Knowles, achieving a high stop rate starts with the fundamentals.
Stance is the most basic fundamental, but even at the highest level, it’s worked every day, and put together in a teach tape like any other technique. Coach Knowles shares the Buckeyes’ stance and start drills and game film in this video:
Disengaging Blocks without Contact in Practice
The method of training a tough, physical LB has changed. We used to have contact heavy drills and individual periods. That’s not necessary and in many cases, not desirable anymore. Coach Knowles points out that he wants to simulate full contact without going through contact. He shares examples of drills and how they translate to game day in this video:
Muckle - Linebackers Have to Stop the Pass
For the Buckeyes, “Muckle” is a made-up word. It means putting a body on a body in pass coverage. It’s a key technique in making linebackers good pass defenders. Coach Knowles teaches it so that the LBs can gain leverage on the route runner and keep it. It gives them a plan and approach to defending the route. It’s an aggressive technique that closes the space and also has in and out-of-phase components. Coach Knowles shares it in drills and game film in this video:
While you are busy filtering through all of the great schemes, blitzes, and coverages you’ve picked up this off-season, be sure that the understanding and application of fundamentals are a part of the plan. Even if it means creating your own terms to identify and define the technique, like the Bucks’ “muckle,” be clear about how it is drilled and especially that those drills translate to the game.
Thank you to Coach Knowles for this thorough presentation.
See you at Noon
It’s a Big Noon kickoff today, and this will be an exciting one! Enjoy the games today.
-Coach Grabowski and the CoachesClinic Team
P.S.
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