A&M’s 2021 game against Mississippi State featured some big plays surrounded by some poor execution. One of the big plays was Devon Achane‘s inside zone run in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs defense. State attempted to bring a blitz at the last minute and it hurt their gap integrity when it was picked up. Achane possesses the speed to make big plays, but this inside zone run succeeded because of execution by A&M’s offensive line and a nice cut by Achane.
Play Concept
Mississippi State starts out in an even front from a 2-4-5 in a 4-2 alignment but the blitz makes it a 5-1 front in the tackle box. A&M is in 11 personnel with Jalen Wydermyer motioning to the left. Wydermyer on the left balances the formation.
The MLB comes up into the A-gap to blitz. C zones right and picks up MLB blitz. LG zones right and helps C double-team MLB. LT zones down to 1-tech. TE seals strong OLB outside. RG zones right and blocks 3-tech. RT kicks out weak OLB. Boundary receiver, slot receiver, and field receiver push vertical and stalk block. RB takes handoff from QB, bounces weakside, then bends it backside to hole created by TE and is off to the races.
Achane Runs Zone vs State’s Even Front
Wydermyer’s motion from right to left balances the formation. At the snap, Wydermyer picks up the SOLB and seals him outside. LT Jahmir Johnson zones down inside and picks up the 1-tech. LG Kenyon Green and C Bryce Foster double-team the blitzing MLB and literally knock him off his feet. Foster comes off the double-team and seals the SILB outside. RG Layden Robinson zones right and takes the 3-tech down two gaps. RT Reuben Fatheree zones and seals the WOLB outside.
NG Cameron Young is able to get right hand inside the right side of Robinson’s shoulder pad, and attempts to throw him down. Devon Achane takes the hand-off from Zach Calzada and nearly runs straight into Young. Young’s attempt to tackle Achane is in vain as Achane slides out of his grasp and breaks the tackle. Achane bends the run backside and cuts outside Wydermyer’s block. Green and Foster’s blocks mean there are no second level defenders.
Achane hits the left hash and flies down the sideline. Result of the play is a 41 yard gain and a first down.
Tight View From Sideline
Normally the ‘tite view’ (tackle box from tight end to tight end) comes from the end zone but this time it is from the sideline.
From this viewpoint, you can easily see the zone footwork of the offensive line, Foster and Green literally lifting the MLB off his feet, Cameron Young taking on Layden Robinson, and Devon Achane breaking the attempted tackle before bending the run backside.
