The toss read or power toss read was all the rage several years ago. Clemson ran power toss read with Deshaun Watson and Kelly Bryant, Stanford ran toss read with Christian McCaffrey, even Texas A&M ran toss read with a freshman Kellen Mond. Power Toss Read was a popular concept because it combined QB Power Read and the toss play. If you had a running QB like Deshaun Watson or Kellen Mond or a dynamic RB like McCaffrey, toss read was a cheap add-on for teams running QB power read. Iowa State used their own twist on Power Toss Read to rip Texas’ defense last season.
Play Concept
The concept of power toss read is simple. The offensive line down blocks backside, leaving the DE unblocked, while the backside guard pulls frontside. The QB and RB mesh while the QB reads the unblocked DE. If the DE widens to take the RB, the QB keeps inside the guard’s block and runs QB power. When the DE pinches down to stop the QB run, the QB tosses outside to the RB. Iowa State puts their own little twist on power toss read by pulling the guard backside while running toss frontside.
Iowa State is aligned in 12 personnel with both TEs aligned to the field. Two tight ends to the field make it trips to the field and a lone receiver to the boundary. The field receiver and slot block the CB and apex defender, respectively. LT and TE both arc around the strongside DE and go second level for the playside linebacker. LG pulls backside to lead for QB power. Center chips 1-tech before going second level for the backside LB. RG down blocks to 1-tech, RT zones to backside DE. RB runs to field with QB following and reading unblocked DE (highlighted). If DE pinches, QB tosses, if DE widens, QB keeps and runs QB power backside.
Executing Power Toss Read
WR Darren Wilson is aligned to the field along with TE Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen. QB Brock Purdy is in the backfield with RB Breece Hall. Tariq Milton is aligned to the boundary. At the snap Wilson blocks D’Shawn Jamison, sealing him outside. Charlie Kolar easily blocks apex Ovie Oghoufo, sealing him inside. LT Jared Hulford and TE Chase Allen arc around Alfred Collins to go second level where Hulford cuts DeMarvion Overshown. Center Collin Newell chips Byron Murphy II before going second level to cut BSLB Luke Brockermeyer, a block he doesn’t quite hit. RT Derek Schweiger zones off T’Vondre Sweat. Milton runs a short route and stalks Josh Thompson.
Purdy reads the unblocked Collins, who tries to pinch inside. Purdy tosses outside to Hall, who runs to the tunnel created by Wilson and Kolar. Safety Brendan Schooler, bailing at the snap, comes down to make an attempt at a tackle and hold Hall to an 8 yard gain. He misses as Hall cuts inside him. Hall runs from the left hash back to the right hash as Milton comes back to block Thompson, but Thompson slides on by. Hall rushes to the opposite end of the end zone for a 47 yard score.