Nebraska's Newfound Offensive Identity

10 comments so far October 20, 2008 by Darren K. Carlson

During Nebraska's win over Iowa State, we saw how playing to the strength of the Huskers offensive personnel led Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson to switch primarily to a spread-based attack. Doing so had major implications for all aspects of the Husker offense, not just the passing attack. The run game benefited too. While it is pretty far from the style of running many NU fans are used to seeing, it can be very effective.

Formation Matters
So, when people say the "spread offense" that doesn't just mean one particular thing. If you've watched much Big 12 football this season, you've probably noticed that many teams run many different kinds of "spread" offense. Some are heavy with the run, utilizing the zone read option game. Others are almost entirely a passing attack. What does the spread mean for Nebraska? In terms of play calls, it means balance. The Huskers personnel are such that they can both run and throw out of many spread formations.

What are the common formations? Against ISU it meant mostly one back sets and a lot more shotgun snaps. You saw a lot of 4 wide receiver sets, and occasionally 5 wide with no backs. It even includes a gimmick set where Marlon Lucky takes the direct snap (the "Joker" formation). The 4 wide sets could cover the width of the field, or they could be tight, with two wide receivers near each other on each side of the line ("Eagle" formation). That doesn't mean the tight end is going away. Nebraska would often line up with a tight end on the field. NU often will line up with two wide receivers, one on each side - spread almost to the sideline - with two tight ends and one back. In this set, it was exclusively running and play action passes, by the way. There was also a good mix of weakside/strongside sets - two and three wide receivers to one side, with a tight end on the other. Only twice did I see NU go "heavy" and have 2 tight ends and a fullback in front of the running back. Both times were in short yardage situations. So, as you can tell from a (not all-inclusive) listing of formations and personnel, NU is very multiple in how they can "spread" the field.

Play To Your Strengths
Okay, so if that is NU's offensive identity, the next question is ...why? Why does this work for the 2008 Huskers? Plain and simple, it plays to NU's strengths - a talented and physical wide receiving corps, a pass blocking line, a rather short quarterback with great ability to throw on the move, and backs suited to make one cut and play in space.

Nebraska's offense is led by its wide receivers. Strange as it sounds, it is true. From Nate Swift making plays and Todd Peterson's steady play, to Meno Holt's ability to make a tough grab and Niles Paul being a physical beast, the wide receivers lead the way. Going to the spread puts them in favorable 1-on-1 match ups and lets them go make a play. They are also NU's most effective blocking unit. In both the perimeter run game and the outside screen game, Nebraska has discovered a way to play "ball control" with the pass. The Husker pass catchers also hit, and it really gets in the heads of opposing defensive backs.

The Husker line is built to pass protect. I know it bothers some (myself included) to say that is who we are, but it's true. We saw a very cohesive offensive line unit on Saturday, in no small part because they put their best pass protectors, Javario Burkes and Keith Williams on the left side of the line and let them stay in there and gel with the other regular starters.

The Husker version of the spread includes a lot of quarterback movement. This is great because Joe Ganz is better able to see and make reads, and he is uncannily accurate when throwing on the move. We often saw designed quarterback movement on Saturday, with Ganz running in line with the action of his receivers and delivering a perfect strike. He can see them, and it is a nice pitch and catch. Moving Ganz also makes it easier to protect him, and allows him to only have to read one half of the field. Finally, it puts continued pressure on the perimeter of the defense.

So, What About The Running Game?
Nebraska has also found a sudden commitment to the running game. They trusted the run game when they were backed up. They ran the ball well on early downs and to convert short third downs. They used the run game to kill the clock and end the game. Here's the thing...it just is not the kind of running game we are used to seeing at NU.

This isn't the triple option. Heck, it isn't even the "West Coast" offense, which often employs a fullback and multiple tight ends. The Huskers use zone read option to let their backs get to the perimeter, make one cut, and get up the field. The Husker backs - Castille included - appear much more comfortable with this style of run than running between the tackles.

Using this sort of perimeter running attack lets the Husker wide receivers be their physical selves, while allowing the Husker linemen to use zone blocking rules to engage defenders at all levels. It's what NU is built to do. It should be noted that the short pass games (swing routes to backs, quick screens to wide receivers) are almost a de facto run game, too. They are short, safe throws that are designed to control the ball. In running the ball, the Huskers are still very "right handed", for good reason. Matt Slauson and Lydon Murtha are the most effective run blocking linemen, and line up on the right side.

None of this means that the Huskers are totally incapable of lining up with two tight ends and a fullback and trying to get a tough yard. They did that on Saturday, too. But, it is not their area of strength. The main Husker tight ends - Mike McNeil and Dreu Young - are versatile players but not the greatest in-line blockers yet. Frankly the Huskers don't really have a fullback right now. Blasphemy, I know. (Remember this off-season concern?) Past recruiting caused the issue (Hello...Millard product Jake Behrens plays for CU!), and future recruiting is addressing it (Two scholarship FBs in this class alone). But for now, tight end Hunter Teafatiller lines up at fullback when a dose of weight is needed.

While this is not the kind of running or ball control Husker fans are accustomed to, there was no denying its effectiveness on Saturday. And, as it plays to NU's strengths and gets their best players on the field - I'm all for it. Almost the entire Big 12 is running some version of the "spread" these days. Now, NU officially is too.

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