Readers will recall from a previous post that A&M runs midzone as a slight adjustment to teams attempting to stop outside zone or inside zone, but it is also an effective calls against pass rush packages. Because a pass rush normally utilizes ends coming wide, it lends itself to being kicked out on midzone.
Play Concept
To review, the goal or outside zone or stretch is for the offensive linemen to seal the defensive line or edge players inside. The RB reads the helmet of the offensive lineman on the edge to make his decision. If the helmet is outside the defender, the RB runs outside that lineman’s hip. If the helmet is inside the defender, the RB read the next gap. With midzone, the alignment of the edge is too wide to seal him inside, so the OT will kick him out. The RB is looking to run inside the OT’s block and outside the OG’s block.
In the diagram above, the outside alignment of the WDE opens him up for a kickout block outside. The LG and C double the 1-tech, the lead back goes into the hole and blocks the PSLB so it is midzone run out of split backs. The key blocks are the double-team on the 1-tech and the kickout by the tackle to create the hole. The lead back sees the kickout and knows the tackle’s helmet will be inside the WDE so he progresses to the second read, which is the LG. His helmet is outside 1-tech so that is where he leads the play. RG climbs second level and RT zones to 3-tech.
Executing Midzone
Aggies are in 11 personnel with TE and two receivers to the field facing 3rd and 6, so a passing down. The defense is in an Okie front with three down linemen aligned outside the tackles and the center. There are two linebacker aligned next to the linemen because this is their pass rushing front. A&M crosses them up by calling a running play on third and long.
Jalen Preston is aligned to the boundary and Jalen Wydermyer is aligned off RT Reuben Fatheree to the field. Ainias Smith is the slot and Demond Demas is the field receiver. At the snap, Preston goes vertical. Smith pushes vertical and then actively blocks the safety. Demas takes an outside release and then blocks downfield. Wydermyer arcs and then looks for the PSLB to block.
RT Reuben Fatheree picks up the strong edge as he comes wide in his pass rush and seals him outside easily. RG Layden Robinson zones playside and then blocks the linebacker back. Fatheree and Robinson’s block create the hole. Fatheree’s helmet is inside and Robinson’s helmet is outside so Devon Achane has his midzone read. C Bryce Foster zones playside while the 1-tech tries to slant to the play. LG Kenyon Green engages the 1-tech while Foster slides off him to look for a second-level threat. LT Jahmir Johnson ignores the weak edge as he goes second-level to seal the BSLB. Zach Calzada takes the snap and hands off to Achane who takes his three read steps and then cuts through the hole.
Wydermyer’s block on the PSLB downfield gives Achane some extra yards. Result of the play is a 21 yard gain and a first down.