Trench Warfare| Oklahoma vs. Tulsa (First Half)

To start the game, we came back left with a reverse or jet sweep to Sterling.  The blocking paths show how blocking has a lot to do with angles and geometry.  Durron is up on the safety with Bell on the frontside backer, and Ford is really becoming a lead blocker on the corner in coverage on Durron.

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A touch later you see what we can call getting a hat on a hat.  There are only two unblocked Tulsa defenders at this point.  One is on the 1st and 10 marker who has no chance of catching Sterling.  The second is the safety who’s on the opposite hash behind the ump.

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And  a close-up of where the rubber met the road.  Bell’s block (blue arrow) wasn’t very clean, and he’s got to work to get his head outside.  Ford’s crushing the corner, with Sterling in high gear.

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Sterling ended up with a 50 some odd yard run that actually counted towards his receiving yards since the ball was tossed forward.  I thought as I rewatched this that Sterling could have cut it back (blue arrow) and outran the linebacker circled in blue.  He ended up dipping in and then back out and was eventually forced out of bounds.  K.J. hustled his butt off getting across the field to make this block and had a couple of big blocks.  For a freshman he’s really blocking well.  With more reps he’s going to be a good one.

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The ensuing play, everyone and their dog bit on the play action.  The safety came up hard, and the corner’s feet were stuck in quicksand.

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A tick later you can really see the safety coming up, but that corner’s feet still haven’t moved.  Really nice protection off the play action.

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This shot really shows how wide open Durron was.  He ended up falling a lot in the first half after a 2nd look.  He really could have had quite a few more yards and scores had he stayed on his feet.  He fell down after catching the ball on what could have been an easy score for him.

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Exhibit A of the Bedenbaugh Effect in game two.   Every Oklahoma blocker’s eyes are back inside.  That speaks volumes to the technique of how you block with your eyes first.  Even as Rip is pulling around Tyler #75, his eyes are inside looking for that scraping backer.  If Rip comes around with his eyes outside, then that backer scrapes underneath him and likely stops Ford for no gain.

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But Right on cue, Rips eyes allow him to make that crucial seal and set the edge for Ford to get north and south.

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I’m sorry guys, but you ain’t tacklin my man Ford if you don’t come strong and bring a friend.

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On the next possession here again you see how everyone’s sealed inside for Alex Ross.  I put a blue arrow on Trevor here, because in spite of his mobility, Tulsa’s #46 is paying him no attention.  Coming back on a bootleg, or in this case a naked play or sprint out, Trevor’s got a lot of green grass in front of him.

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The back went in motion before the snap, and the backer went with him in man coverage (red arrows).  This vacated a lot of area for Trevor.  You can see Shead’s eyes looking to the backer right on the edge of the A.

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K.J. Young again with the key block on a big play.  He may not have had a big stat line, but he seems to have taken the mantle of being the tough guy as receivers go from Jalen Saunders.  Kid weighs a buck-o-five and can block his tail off.  Being on that correct shoulder by K.J. allows Trevor the space between K.J. and the safety (red arrow) to put a move on and get to the goalpost.

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You can sense how tight this team is in terms of caring about each other.  There’s four guys down there hustling trying to help Trevor.  Shead and K.J. are stoked and normally with receivers being me-me-me guys, it’s refreshing to see a young freshman receiver not caring about whether he has the ball or not.  By the way how about Trevor on the 31 yard draw play for a TD?  Dude can scoot!

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I wanted to point out this play as it’s a prime example of what “turnback” protection is.  Since Trevor’s rolling to the right, all of his linemen essentially have their backs “turned” to him.  Hence the term turnback protection.

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This play looked identical to the one before, so I just showed the end result on an out to Durron.  Note the middle of the field and Flowers circled in blue.  Tight ends and seam players were open all day.

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Here’s a shot of Blake Bell’s first TD.  Great protection on the play action.  Blake has his man beat as he’s flat footed when Blake breaks inside.

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Blake is so much bigger than that DB it’s almost cartoonish.  He showed surprising hands as he had to reach back over his head and snag this one.  It was nice to see the tight end getting involved.

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To start the 2nd quarter, we catch up with Samaje.  There’s a nice crease to the left, and Flowers has a nice kickout block just to the left of Perine.  Notice how Dmitri’s head is on the upfield shoulder of the defender.  This keeps the defender from squeezing the hole…

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And it allows Samaje to be one-on-one with the safety.

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If the safety hadn’t made a great play on the tackle, the lane is like I-44 as both deep defenders are on our outside of the hashes.  What’s been refreshing is that not one time this season so far have we been denied on 2nd and short or 3rd and short or the run game.  I love that we can run the ball when we need to.

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This was a nice play by Trevor and Durron.  You may often wonder why we put the back in motion or run so many swing passes, but note that the linebacker running out with him.  With the back in the backfield, that backer could “sit” in that area and clog the passing lane.

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Trevor again shows off that strong arm throwing a deep out to Durron  on a line.  Standing on the “0” of the 30 is the linebacker who was taken out of the play by the motion.  See how it opened up the angle on the out route?

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I noticed a lot of how motions and little things affected the outcome of plays.  We put Shepard in motion pre-snap.  The big reverse run early in the game affected the safety circled in blue.  I wanted to point out his feet and how the motion is taking him out wide with Sterling.

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By the time the ball is snapped and is given to Alex, the safety is outside of the hash when he started three or four yards inside it.  Also Check the Bedenbaugh Effect again with a hat on a hat everywhere…

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Now by the time the safety realizes that he needs to get hot and back inside to stop Ross, it’s too late.  Check out how the guys are still finishing their blocks…

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This is pure speed that very few backs in college or the NFL possess.  Every one of the DB’s that are either deeper or even with Alex had their hips turned and were running, so it’s not like Alex caught em flat footed.

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He’s just that fast.  I’ve watched so much football over the years it’s hard to make me say “oh, wow.”  This play did just that.

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I was floored by how fast he was, or is for that matter.  Alex didn’t get to start running until the 6:23 mark, and covering 82 yards, it took him right at 10 seconds.  Not running a straight line he probably went about 95 yards or so in all and if you look real close, you can see the scorch marks on the turf.  It’s a good thing the field was wet or he would have burned the stadium down with that speed.

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Here’s a play where the ball went on a long pass to Shepard, but I wanted to point out K.J. Young (red)

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Look at how wide open he is running up the hash.  Sterling made a heck of a play on the catch, but K.J. could have walked backward into the end zone if Trevor puts the ball on ’em.

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43 Comments

  • thedeez says:

    Great Stuff. Though it won’t be until the second half Trench Warfare, Charles Walker going down is a to his development. He has all the tools to make a big impact, he just needs the game reps to figure out when and where he needs to be. Even though Chuka is coming on quite nicely himself, Walker dominates the man in front of him to a degree only Jordan Phillips can match, and I had projected him to start taking starter snaps by the Texas game.

    Absolutely loving the WR blocking. Actually, I’m loving the blocking from everyone. I’d bet Trevor Knight would pancake somebody if they’d let him. My wife pointed out that any time a player doesn’t have the ball, he’s doing everything he can to help out the guy with the ball. I believe this team-first attitude will allow the Sooners to accomplish great things this year.

  • cpearc00 says:

    Love the info on why we run so many swing passes and put our RBs in motion. I’ve learned something and it’s only 8:30, can I go home now?

    • JY says:

      It gets the defense to tip their hand on coverages as well. If the backer doesn’t go, then it may be a zone, or a blitz.

  • EasTex says:

    Thanks for the break down, JY. Those still shots used to illustrate your points are invaluable.

    As pleased as I am with how well the team blocks overall, I made it a point to pause and replay some plays to watch Darlington. The young man is a technician. He not only gets in good position to block on the line, his getting to the LBs seems effortless.

    • soonermusic says:

      I remember reading stuff about Darlington coming in that indicated he was potentially a great technician, and heady o-line signal caller. Seems to be arriving right on time.

      • EasTex says:

        I was blown away by his first start as a true freshman against Baylor in 2012. He’s not only a smart guy his Dad is the head coach at Apopka High, so he has real world(2000+ SAT) and football smarts.
        As an old lineman I do enjoy watching him operate, he always has his body in the right place at the right time.

  • Roger Nixon says:

    I LOVE TRENCH WARFARE!
    Have the Sooners ever blocked so well across the board?

    • soonerinks says:

      When I was in school at OU back in 73 and 74, I use to watch practice after classes. Back then you could just go in the stadium and sit anywhere and watch. The OL that they had back then was just plain awesome and Switzer would run the same play over and over again until he was satisfied. It was a beautiful thing to see that OL come swinging around on a pitch all in a perfect line with heads turned in to their blocks. My opinion is that this OL (including FB’s and Bell) is going to be the best that Stoops has had. JY does an awesome job with his breakdowns and it is my favorite thing on this board. This team could be special.

    • JY says:

      I tell you, they probably did back in the 80’s, but nothing like this since Stoops has been the coach. Can you Imagine what DeMarco or Adrian Peterson would have done with these lanes?

      • soonerinks says:

        What a shame that DeMarco was hurt, that kid was just special and one of the best short yardage runners I have ever seen. Peterson would have been sick with this line.

  • Jared Tyra says:

    When TK works and improves on seeing all of his reads and finding the best option… They can just fedex that playoff spot to stoops’ doorstep.

  • Zack says:

    Kj and flowers could have had even better days had Trevor looked their way more. But I think the gameplan was to get shep and Neal going deep.

    • Fear The Magic says:

      Yeah Im pretty sure they want Tenn to know that if they put a ton of guys in the box theyre gonna get burned.

  • keith moore says:

    Great breakdown. Love the Xs and Os. Keep it coming.

  • FeedtheMonster says:

    I was really looking forward to Trench Warfare for this game, because the blocking was awesome. With the jet sweep to Shep, I thought, “That’s beautiful” The only thing that I didn’t like about this game is how they took their foot off the pedal. I think when the coaches ease up, the players ease up and things get a little sloppy. I am really hoping since they are all really exited about this week’s game, there will be no second half drop off.

    • FeedtheMonster says:

      oops. excited

    • Boom says:

      Blankenship is a fellow coach and friend of the Stoops brothers so they didn’t need to run it up more than what it was. 1st team D was sloppy right after half but I’m sure they will clean that portion before this weeks game. K mentioned if they don’t, those quick slants will get housed on good fast teams.

      • Stats says:

        FtM, while the game does get more sloppy, I agree with Boom on the reason for “taking their foot off the pedal”, plus there is so much more benefit long term in “training the reserves” than proving that we could put up 70+ points on this level of competition. However, once you put SEC or BigXII on your jersey, all bets are off until you cry mercy (or we’re up 77-0, whichever comes first.)

        • FeedtheMonster says:

          I completely agree with everything you said. I didn’t mean to sound dissatisfied with the score, and I always root for Tulsa if they’re not playing OU. It was more about executing the play no matter what the situation is.

          • Stats says:

            I understand. I never played organized football, so I just don’t know how you ease up w/o being a little sloppy. I think of play wrestling with my kids when they were small, I obviously can’t go all out, so that inadvertently allows for occasional whacks to dad in sensitive areas.

    • JY says:

      Yeah, and that’s when the players have to be mature and take a business like approach to it. Football’s a game of emotion and it’s hard to play without it.

  • BigJoeBrown says:

    Great Job once again JY! Thanks. This is a huge help Makes me appreciate things I don’t notice during the game because I am usually busy cheering. Like KJ’s blocking for example.

  • hOUligan says:

    Been a long time since this once skinny, slow white kid with bad hands played RB on JV. But my best friends, it seems, have always been Olinemen. So have always been a bit of a frustrated lineman at heart. Love these Trench Warfare breakdowns, JY. It’s my absolute favorite and there’s nothing else like it. I appreciate all of ya’alls contributions but this kicks it.

  • DCinAZ says:

    One of the bigger things I’ve noticed is all the problems we had in the past with being able to run the ball inside the 10 and power it in seem to be gone. We don’t need the belldozer anymore and we always pick up 3rd and short now when we need it. Thank you coach Bedenbaugh.

    • JY says:

      #Bedenbaugh Effect

      • JB says:

        I like what I see in run blocking. However, I was a little concerned by something in the 2nd half. Against Bama, Trevor had all day to stand in the pocket and throw. Through much of the 2nd half Tulsa defenders were breaking through and forcing him to throw quickly. Tulsa? I hope this was just an anomaly.

        • DCinAZ says:

          Once we went up 31-0 you could see the entire team start to lose focus and concentration. I’m not too worried about anything that happened in the second half. I think they were ready to go home at half time.

        • Bob Edwards says:

          As mentioned focus dropped off in the second half. You also had twos and threes playing. There is sually a reason they are a two or a three and not a one. In some cases its talent, in some cases its effort, and in some its inexperience. Best to focus on what the team did when it matters.

          This was basically a name your own score game. And Stoops and company seem to have a good relationship with the Tulsa folks, so they did not want to beat them up too bad.

  • Cory Reedy says:

    Don’t know if I have mentioned it yet today, but….I LOVE THIS SITE! Awesome stuff as usual JY.

  • soonermusic says:

    Great one again, JY.

    Agree, this sure seems like this O-line is the best Stoops has had, maybe by a good margin. Double huge, fast, and, so far, accurate.

    Ross has an extra gear or two. As I mentioned before, I notice that whenever a reporter goes off about Ross’s speed, Stoops mutters something like “ford can do that, too,” so I think we’re in for a real treat as the season goes on.

    I remember reading stuff about Darlington coming in that indicated he was potentially a great technician, and heady o-line signal caller. Seems to be arriving right on time.

    My favorite part of Trevor’s td run is when the safety dives for a tackle and finds “ghost man,” nothing but air…

    • willie says:

      Yeah, that Ross comment to Phillips is pretty fantastic. Cocky, brash, confident, call it whatever you want I just know I like it.

  • OUknowitscomin says:

    Thanks again JY. Love this stuff. I felt for KJ that his only passes seemed to be swing, wanted to see him going down field a bit – in the seam.

    • thebigdroot says:

      I really expect to see this be a part of this upcoming game. I believe Stoops and Co. have been holding the reigns back in order to bring all the weapons out in this game. National TV, SEC opponent, lots of recruits in attendance……

  • Cush Creekmont says:

    Terrific breakdown and teaching! Watching the game in person, the WRs blocking really shows. When I watched my DVR version, the camera does not always catch how well or how sustained some of their blocks are. I will agree that the line is great and Rip looks to be making the blocking FB his domain. But what will make those big plays homeruns is the sustained WR blocks.

  • Guest says:

    I think I am seeing the Bedenbaugh Effect.

  • ouguy777 says:

    Trench Warfare is undoubtedly the best football info anywhere. I’m not an expert, but I recently started volunteering as a OL and DL coach at the small HS I teach at and reading stuff like this helps me so much!

  • JT says:

    When I saw the Trench Warfare heading while at my desk this morning, I’ll admit I peed a little.

  • PLAW0720 says:

    The best analysis and breakdown, EVER – enough said.

  • Jeremy Phillips says:

    ESPNU Filmroom had a great breakdown of the opening jet sweep play.. Showing the left tackle taking an influence step to draw the end inside, which allowed Shepard the leverage he needs to get around the corner & also sets up the tackle for his 2nd level block on the backer.. It was a very good piece..