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CL34's First Quarter Analysis - First Four Possessions

Darth Snow

Hawaiian Buffalo
Club Member
Junta Member
(posted with his permission/request) - not my words, here you go:
http://colorado.forums.rivals.com/threads/first-quarter-offensive-analysis-four-possessions.10811/

Our community has levied various critiques about the offense after the debacle that occurred in Tempe. Among those critiques: the partisan debate as to why the passing game has suffered, OL causing Liufau to play poorly and misfire on throws against Liufau's inability to execute the offense and seize the presented opportunities, play calling and offensive scheme failure, inability to rush the ball due to depleted personnel, who should start at RT Lisella or Callahan. This breakdown will try to elucidate a clearer understanding to these topics and others but also fully acknowledges in some cases further analysis will be required to reach a more conclusive answer.

Without further ado

Drive 1

Drive: 1 Play: 1
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun twins to both sides Personnel: 11 grouping (1RB 1TE 3 WR)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5 / 4-2-5

The first thing to pay attention to through out this entire analysis is how the ASU defense lines up and matches up to the various offensive formations. Here ASU lines up pretty vanilla with slightly off coverage on the receivers in what appears to be a 3-3-5 package. The NB shifts to adjust to Linday's motion but in a way that indicates a zone defense. At that, the snap zone defense is confirmed. Notice that the LOLB rushes, the MLB settles into the middle zone a bit and the FS cheats up to look to fill the zone that would have been the responsibility of the LOLB.

The design of the play appears use Spruce as a decoy, though he is wide open as the CB has bailed into a deep zone. Liufau pump fakes his direction and then appears to read the safety and the MLB trailing Jay MacIntyre. He has enough time to make these two reads and then Lisella appears to surrender protection causing Liufau to have to move. Probably a fair assessment to say that Liufau could have easily taken the yardage to Spruce and could have thrown open MacIntyre as the MLB was in the process of getting beat and could not have run with Jay Mac. The safety that would have been deep already rushed to fill the LOLB zone. The other safety is clearly pre-occupied looking to pick up Keeney. Liufau also appears to glance at the left side of the play but also tucks the ball simultaneously. The left side was well covered though tucking the ball in such a way only elongates his ability to reload in case someone was open.

As we see, the play results in a sack.

drive-1-play-1_zpsnqc8tiky.gif

Drive: 1 Play: 2
Down: 2 Distance: 13
Formation: Shotgun Twins Personnel: 11
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Here we see ASU align showing blitz against the same offensive formation as the previous play. It appears ASU runs a off zone behind the blitz. If the field is bisected length wise, the ASU coverage outnumbers the CU receivers to the field side three defender to two receivers but is outnumbered to the boundary side two to three with Lindsay filtering into the flat.

At the snap Asu brings six defenders. The protection looks good reasonably good considering it's five on six. However, Lisella over zealous in his drop steps gets thrown to the ground. Liufau doesn't make the exact right read here because he fails to identify the number advantage to the other side of the formation but he throws in the rhythm to Spruce who is single covered. Hard to get mad at this execution. However, had Liufau looked left, he would have undoubtably seen Lee Walker wide open with a ton of room to get loose. Regardless, well executed and in rhythm, only Lisella with a demerit here but again the rhythm negates that mistake.

drive-1-play-2_zps91gxccwh.gif

Drive: 1 Play: 3
Down: 3 Distance: 6
Formation: Shotgun Twins Personnel: 11
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Again ASU showing that they will rush six. Offensive formation appears to dictate that ASU press the slot WR to both sides of the formation. MacIntyre motions into the slot with the defender following, indicating man to man. At the snap ASU brings six. This time Lindsay stays into to protect, so the protection is six vs six rushers and the coverage is five vs four.

This is an interesting play design. Spruce gets a great release and looks to run a deeper pattern, he angles the stem of his route at the ASU defender against . The ASU gets caught up and falls , which frees up MacIntyre. At the top of the screen Walker runs a shallow cross behind Keeney who runs a nice deep-in pattern. The protection looks pretty solid and Lindsay sticks his face in there to pick up the additional rusher. Lisella appears much more prepared this play and does not fall for fake up field.

Liufau throws with decent timing to the open MacIntyre. Please pay attention to this route combination and throw placement for later. While the pass is on time, it's a bit off the mark fortunately MacIntyre makes a nice adjustment here doing a 180 while catching the ball and getting upfield. This actually a fairly athletic manuever and should not be understated, the throw should have been over the other shoulder. Last week against Oregon, Liufau had a similar third down throw last that was incomplete as it ricocheted off of one of Ross's hands.

As a side note, watch Walker try to get into the play for a block, that guy can really turn them over. Think about the play before and how open he was. Have to imagine good things will happen if we are able to get him the ball with a running lane.

drive-1-play-3_zpslxo1puss.gif

Drive: 1 Play: 4
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun 3WR Personnel: 20 (2RB 0TE 3WR)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

For the third consecutive play, CU aligns in a shotgun formation and again ASU counters by showing six rushers. This time CU has both Powell and Lindsay in the backfield together. Spruce appears to have solo coverage to the field side of the play. Notice the safety align to Bobo before the snap. Unless really cleverly disguised, this indicates man to man.

At the snap the coverage appears really is man to man with the LBs covering zones for any underneath check downs. The protection looks solid here. Watch Lindsay pop the rushing OLB while Powell escorts the DB upfield. Lisella does a reasonably good job here too. Liufau has a nice clean pocket to step up and throw.

Liufau makes the correct read to Spruce in single coverage. Give the ASU CB some credit for running step for step with Spruce. The throw is too far in front to allow for Spruce to make a play but given the coverage, it's definitely not the worse result. This throw was also in rhythm, which had there been a rush, it probably doesn't have a chance to really do much. Only a perfect throw would have made this play work.

drive-1-play-4_zps3z7osrwl.gif

Drive: 1 Play: 5
Down: 2 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun Twins Personnel: 10 (1RB 0TE 4WR)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

For the first time in three plays, ASU lays off the show blitz look despite CU staying in the gun. ASU shows off coverage with the CBs, who back off the line in unison before the snap. Hard to tell if it's man to man here or zone.

At the snap, this a screen which makes sense as a call given the last three plays ASU brought six. The screens are Lindsay in the flats and Bobo on a bubble screen. Notice how both sets of receivers to either side set up blocks for these two.

Bobo makes a nice catch with his hands and comes back to the ball after the initial stem of the route. He reads his blocks well and proceeds upfield. Kelley has a great block here that helps spring the play. Jay Mac also has his best block of the year. Huckins again just sees a little heavy footed to really do anything well in space.

Liufau again a little off of the mark with the throw but throws in rhythm, keeping the timing of the play in sync and allowing for a nice gain. When Liufau throws in rhythm, the offense can move the ball. We're good enough to do that now, our athletes can be trusted to beat at least one guy.

drive-1-play-5_zpsjojpvqhz.gif
 
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Drive: 1 Play: 6
Down: 3 Distance: 2
Formation: Shotgun Ace Personnel: 12 (1RB 2TE 2WR)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Thus far CU has called six passing plays and if there was ever a down and distance to test ASU with the run, this might be it. The personnel group of two TEs indicates that it actually might be a run to the defense. Again, ASU sees the formation and shows six rushers. The motion by Walker and the press alignment on Bobo appear to indicate man to man coverage.

At the snap both Frazier and Irwin release into the pattern. This leaves six blockers to six rushers. As we see one comes free from outside of Lisella who picks up in inside man. All of the OL look good here in pass pro. Lindsay again stones the outer most rusher. Say what you will about his size but this guy delivers has no qualms about trying to punish all comers in all circumstances. Regardless of the free rusher, Liufau delivers the ball in rhythm and beats the rush.

For the second consecutive third down (see play three), CU runs a quick-out combination to the left side of the formation. The inside WR position, George Frazier runs a quick ou with the outside WR Bobo occupying the most direct path to cover that inside WR. This frees Frazier on the quick-out. To the other side of the formation, Walker explodes into a quick from motion while Irwin runs a quick in. Walker looks open after the initial bump.

For the third time this drive Liufau is slightly off the mark on this quick throw to the left side, (see the earlier third down throw to JMac and the pass to Bobo). This time big George Frazier cannot make the same adjustment MacIntyre made on the last third down. The ball careens off of Frazier's hands incomplete. Had the ball been deliver to his numbers instead of high and to the inside the play probably converts for a first down provided it's caught.

drive-1-play-6_zpsxdark6cy.gif
This is the end of the first drive. It appears Lisella had a couple struggles early but nothing fatal. Lindsay appeared to prove he can be trusted in pass protection. The rest of the OL looked strong. Liufau came out executing with a decent rhythm but was slightly off the mark, the last of which ended the drive. He also may have missed a pre-snap read the defense once or twice. It also appears that when the offense is executed in rhythm the blitz is not quite as formidable. ASU brought six rushers four out of six plays, each time against the shotgun formation. CU has also not tested the ASU run defense yet
 
Drive 2

Drive: 2 Play: 1
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Offset I Personnel: 21 (2RB 1TE 2WR)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

To start the second drive, CU shows their first pro-style formation. Whether by coincidence or not ASU stays put in their standard hybrid 3-3-5 look with one LB walking up into a standup DE position. Fields motions across the formation, which pulls the CB out with him as he reaches the other side of the OL. At the same time, the other CB walks up to press Spruce. This appears to indicate man to man but hard to tell.

At the snap, ASU rushes four but a fifth rusher comes as he sees his man Lindsay in to block. Lisella blocks down inside while Irwin releases into a vertical pattern essentially clearing space for underneath routes. Frazier slightly chips the rushing LB as he filters into the flats. Fields runs a dig / in route. Judging by the spacing by Frazier and Fields, Frazier did not get deep enough on his route and maybe Fields got a little too deep. Judging from earlier plays perhaps Frazier should have made his break right off of Fields hip, which would have given him more than enough separation from his man. Despite what occurs Frazier is open for a brief period.

At this time the rushing OLB has gotten upfield and into the gaze of Liufau. It's unclear why Liufau has already made his way out of the pocket at this point, perhaps he was meant to roll out in the first place? The protection, other than the rushing OLB is great. Please watch Lindsay on this play. This is straight up stoning somebody in pass protection. This LB outweighs him by a good thirty pounds at least and Lindsay just fires into the body of this guy and drives him backwards. Lindsay is all quick-twitch, it's not like he even tries to run full speed into this guy. He gets to his spot, sets his feet and just explodes. I don't know how anyone can say this guy can't be trusted in pass protection. He's really earning feature back PT in my opinion and with the way he plays, got no problems of him trying to take command of the locker room.

Back to the play, Liufau doesn't like what he sees here and throws the ball away. I am okay with that decision. He didn't feel like he had a clear enough throwing lane to make a good throw and the coverage and pressure were good from ASU.

One other thing to note is how quickly the ASU LBs bite on the run action instead of reading their queues with the OL.


Drive: 2 Play: 2
Down: 2 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun Trips Personnel: 11
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

CU returns to the shotgun for this play. ASU aligns in their base defense and appear to show man to man with their DB alignment. Lindsay motions but the defense does not show any indication due to that shift.

This is play is a standard run / pass option we ran a ton last year. Liufau is reading the MLB in this case. The OL fires off the ball indicating a run play. Liufau makes the right read here throwing but had he given its to Lindsay, the play would have been well blocked. Lisella gets a great jump off the line and drives his man inside sealing the edge, Huckins buckles the LB and Kelley rides his man down.

As said, Liufau makes the right read, like above watch how quickly the LBs react to the run action. The MLB completely vacates the middle of the field leaving Dylan Keeney wide open. Liufau just rushes the throw here but the protection was great and the LBs stop rushing realizing they had been had. This play probably goes for at least 25 yards. This was a huge missed opportunity to at the very least turn the field position. This is a simple throw in this offense and has to be made. This is the fourth pass to the left that has been off the mark so far this game.


Drive: 2 Play: 3
Down: 2 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun 3WR Personnel: 20
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

ASU aligns again with basically their base defensive personnel but again indicate they are bringing six. The have no qualms about tipping their hand when they are bringing pressure. Here they say, 'make us stop.' The coverage is clearly man to man with safeties in the middle waiting for the RBs.

At the snap of the ball everyone who was showing rush comes. Fortunately CU also is in max protect and runs a combination of deep routes on this play. Because the RBs stay into protect, the safeties help in coverage. The protection here breaks down due to John Lisella. He gets straight up smoked to the outside. Lindsay and Powell both do a nice job picking up rushers.

It looks like Liufau wanted Ross here. Instead the pressure from the backside gets to Liufau. He has no idea it's coming and it doesn't even look like Lisella could have gotten a hold he got beaten so badly. The throw is obviously effected and intercepted.


This drive mirrors the sort of mistakes that were made on the first drive. Lisella had another blow up moment, this time we suffered the consequences. Liufau continues to be be inaccurate enough to miss opportunities to move the sticks. Other than that, the rest of the offensive personnel looks capable and the scheme looks good enough to give the player a chance to make plays.

With that said, no running plays have been called yet and the two primary components of the passing game each appear to have their struggles. Definitely need to see what the run can do for us even if to force ASU out of their base personnel grouping.
 
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Drive 3:

This drive is all about Phil Lindsay. To me, this looks like a feature back. Vision, cut back ability, burst, pad level, and an ability to find the end zone.

Drive: 3 Play: 1
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Single back Personnel: 12
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

This is the second time CU aligns under center in ten plays. ASU matches the balanced CU alignment with their standard defensive set. ASU shows man to man coverage on the outside.

At the snap, Alex Kelley quickly wheels around to seal off the backside pursuit. Callahan looks to help Lisella then turns just in time stymie the fast closing Fiso. Lisella gets a good initial drive off the line, pushing the ASU defender backward but then slips down. It turns out okay because it catches the ASU guy by surprise who falls down now that there is no resistance to push against. Frazier releases from the combo block with Lisella and gets a great kick out block on the OLB.

Lindsay takes the hand off to the right and spurts through off tackle. It looks like he trips as he gets ready to put a move on the safety. Also notice Spruce with the great downfield block. This is the first run play and given the personnel match ups, it's not surprising that this went for a nine yard gain.

Drive: 3 Play: 2
Down: 2 Distance: 1
Formation: Single back Personnel: 12
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

CU comes out again with the same balance single back formation for this second and one. ASU again looked pretty vanilla but has walked the nickel back up to outside the field side TE Sean Irwin. The LOLB is acting as a standup rush-end over Frazier. The DBs are aligned in a fashion that indicates man to man. There really is not a lot of window dressing here with the offensive formation. It's a balanced set going head up against a base defense.

At the snap, Kelley and Huckins get a nice combo block and stuff the ASU penetration. Kelley then rides this guy to the ground. Huckins gets right up the second level and gets a great block on Fiso. At this time, Lisella has helped seal off the backside and Callahan has moved up to the second level as well. Nembot pancakes his man off of the snap and Irwin kicks his man out. Everyone has done their part.

Huckins had two nice blocks on this play, the second of which completely neutralized Fiso. Both he and Callahan throw Fiso out of the play and force the other LB take the long way to the play. Lindsay takes the handoff and proceeds through the A gap. He makes a nice little cut to avoid the squashed ASU NT and then accelerates and lowers his pads as he reaches the second level of defenders. He picks up another couple yards after the initial hit. Notice how far Frazier had gotten downfield to prepare to block another man.

The play results in a nice eight yard gain and a needed first down.


Drive: 3 Play: 3
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: I-Form Personnel: Goaline (2-3)
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Lindgren tries something crafty here. He aligns in a goal line formation with three TEs in the game, Frazier, Irwin and Keeney but also with Murphy and Lindsay in the backfield. Again ASU stays in their base vanilla defense in man to man coverage. Irwin motions across the formation pre-snap without much adjustment from ASU.

At the snap, the ASU LBs again bite on the run action. The DBs also get caught a little flat footed and then bail in coverage. Murphy and Lindsay both stay into protect after the play fake. Look at how active Lindsay is in looking to assist in protection. The protection itself is without reproach. Clean pocket, everyone sealed off and under control.

Liufau rears back in rhythm and launches one downfield to Irwin. It appears the ASU safety is in position to make a play but was probably tracking the ball and not watching for Irwin also competing for the ball. The throw itself is right on the money, right into the waiting mitts of Irwin. This is a huge play right when we needed it.

Hard to know if Keeney was the better read in this case since this angle does not show us much about this route. It's arguable that Liufau got away with one here but he took a chance and put the ball right on the money.


Drive: 3 Play: 4
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: single back ace Personnel: 12
Defensive Package: 3-4

ASU is forced to bring in another LB after that huge play by CU. CU once again aligns in the balanced single back formation. No motion or realignment at the same, just man on man.

At the snap, Huckins gets a great cut block on the ASU DT. This is just a brilliant block. Irwin slows Fiso and Nembot seal the rest of the backside. This allows Kelley to get to the second level right away. Callahan and Lisella absolutely turn loose on this play. They initially combo the DE right out of the gates and drive him completely of the play like a scruffed animal. Callahan gets to the second level and snuffs out the other MLB for ASU, bending him backwards and driving him out of the play. Frazier displays nice athleticism sealing of the other OLB who tries a speed rush. Spruces gets a great block too.

So this is the same play as the first play of the drive, executed even better than the first time. Lindsay takes the handoff and proceeds off tackle to the C gap behind Lisella. He sets up the blocks by slightly flattening to the line, then throws quick stutter step and sets the safety behind the DE Lisella has driven down field. Lindsay explodes of out his cut to quickly get up field and then show nice vision bouncing outside for the TD.

That's just about as flawless as it gets. Touchdown Buffs!



At this point, what more do you want from Lindsay. He can pass protect, he can run, we know he can catch, just feed him the damn rock. The OL just uprooted the ASU defense on four consecutive plays, we should have just beat these guys to a pulp from here on out or at least forced them to run a heavier set personnel to stop us. Hell, even Huckins and Lisella who have been the two dogged guys on the OL had some great blocks on this drive.

Watching to see how BL responds to this after this game. This was probably the most impressive drive of the game for us. The defense responds on the very next drive and really competes against ASU resulting in an interception of Bercovici.
 
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Drive 4:

After a great last drive and defensive INT, we should have just pummeled these guys again but think we tried to get too cute here though the failures were largely due to execution.

Drive: 4 Play: 1
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun Personnel: 12
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

As was the case with last drive, when CU had heavier personnel sets in the game (here with two TE), they appear reluctant to stack the line to try to bring heat. ASU again aligns in their base defense but it's hard to tell if it's zone or man to man, even with the Fields motion.

This is another outside run, the initial aim of Lindsay looks to be an outside zone read (see Liufau carry out the fake). Irwin loses his battle with the OLB and he penetrates upfield to disrupt the path of Lindsay. That redirection renders the Frazier block ineffective and the ASU defenders converge for the tackle. The rest of the play looks well blocked and Callahan and Lisella do a nice job on the interior players.

Unfortunately, the Buffs were flagged for an illegal formation and set back five yards. However, given that the initial play went for a loss, it's debatable that the loss of yards wasn't that bad compared to the loss of downs.



Drive: 4 Play: 2
Down: 1 Distance: 15
Formation: Shotgun 3 WR Personnel: 11
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Given the longer down and distance, CU returns to a shotgun 3WR formation with Bobo as the single WR to the boundary. Unsurprisingly ASU immediately shows blitz with six rushers. ASU walks a DB up on Bobo while another DB indicates off coverage on him. To the other side of the formation, a CB has tighter coverage on Ross. The alignment of the other secondary players appears to indicate man to man but hard to tell.

The DB that walked up on Bobo blitzes at the snap of the ball and both LBs drop into coverage with one taking the TE and the other guarding the underneath zone in lieu of Lindsay staying into protect. The protection gets jacked up by the blitz scheme here. Three man basically rush right at Lisella. One guys occupies Lisella while one snakes inside of him after ripping past Callahan. Lindsay rightly sets up to take the inside free rusher a DL. The DB gets around the corner unimpeded.

Despite the disastrous protection, Liufau makes the right read throwing into the blitz. The ball is off of the mark but understandably so. If he makes this throw, it's a big time play and should give ASU pause about blitzing.

drive-4-play-2_zpsqtitvoy8.gif


Drive: 4 Play: 3
Down: 2 Distance: 15
Formation: Shotgun Trips Personnel: 10
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Once again ASU just using their base defensive personnel. CU again seems forced into using a pass formation to pick up the additional yardage. Presnap ASU appears to be in man to man.

This is actually a well schemed play. Both ASU outside rushers charge upfield. Shane Callahan pulls as Kelly and Lisella seal off of the backside. Nembot and Kough dispatch of the other DL. Nembot possible could have gone straight for the LB given how Kough had basically already turn the DL out of the play.

The DBs are pre-occupied on the WRs who indicate a WR screen to the trip side of the field.

The real missed assignment here is Shane Callahan. He just doesn't get square to the LOS fast enough and Fiso adeptly side steps the block. Fiso then knifes in and stuffs Lee on the shovel pass. Had Callahan made that that block, Lee is off to the races. This is a nice play by the ASU defender more than anything but disappointing because it looked like it had big play potential.

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Drive: 4 Play: 4
Down: 3 Distance: 18
Formation: Shotgun 3 WR Personnel: 20
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

Third and eighteen is not a position that any offense wants to be in and there probably aren't too many plays worth trying to run this deep in one's own territory. With that said CU aligns in a 3 WR formation with Spruce solo to the left side of the formation. Powell and Lindsay are in the backfield. Once again ASU shows blitz, actually posturing to rush seven on this play. The coverage appears to be man to man as DBs are head up, press coverage on the WRs.

This play call actually looks like it could have gashed ASU had Lindsay been given the ball. The play is basically an outside zone read / sweep. Powell and a pulling Kough lead Lindsay around the end. Bobo blocks his man inside and the LB who is optioned doesn't quite look like he can make the play but he's in decent position.

Liufau elects to keep the ball given the presence of the LB. The LB shuts down Liufau immediately, tackling him for no gain. On this play, the LB just played it great, have to given that kid props. If Lindsay had been able to get he corner, he might have scored and definitely gotten the first down given he had as many blockers as defenders and there was a HUGE alley to run through.

Only gripe here is having Liufau carry the ball with his injured shoulder. Maybe it should have been a mandatory give to Lindsay? No reason for Liufau to carry teh ball in this situation.

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This drive was ultimately the most disappointing of the game. The offense had put together a tremendous drive on the previous series using the run. Then the defense made a great play to get the ball back. This was a drive to really seize the momentum of the game even after the forgettable start. Instead, we have a penalty, a protection break down / misfire, a missed block and a missed read. This is just execution failure, and these types of miscues in this moments have come to typify CU football for the last decade, seizing disaster from success.
 
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Really good analysis, thanks for posting that. Drive 1, Play 1 could have been big had he seen Jay Mac running free and that Shovel Pass really shows how football really does take all 11 guys doing their job or an otherwise well-designed play looks like ****.
 
Can I get the Cliff Notes version?

- We need to run the ball more often.
- We are close, but due to injuries on the OL and an inefficient QB, we stall out on a lot of drives.
- We are our best when we don't ask Sefo to do too much and don't ask our OL to pass protect too much.
 
Drive 4:

After a great last drive and defensive INT, we should have just pummeled these guys again but think we tried to get too cute here though the failures were largely due to execution.

Drive: 4 Play: 1
Down: 1 Distance: 10
Formation: Shotgun Personnel: 12
Defensive Package: 3-3-5

As was the case with last drive, when CU had heavier personnel sets in the game (here with two TE), they appear reluctant to stack the line to try to bring heat. ASU again aligns in their base defense but it's hard to tell if it's zone or man to man, even with the Fields motion.

This is another outside run, the initial aim of Lindsay looks to be an outside zone read (see Liufau carry out the fake). Irwin loses his battle with the OLB and he penetrates upfield to disrupt the path of Lindsay. That redirection renders the Frazier block ineffective and the ASU defenders converge for the tackle. The rest of the play looks well blocked and Callahan and Lisella do a nice job on the interior players.

Unfortunately, the Buffs were flagged for an illegal formation and set back five yards. However, given that the initial play went for a loss, it's debatable that the loss of yards wasn't that bad compared to the loss of downs.

.

Can anyone explain to me how that is an illegal formation. The refs explanation was too many men in the back field, but I don't see it. Did he miss that we had a TE on the right side on the line?
 
Thanks for posting. Really interesting! Just a reminder of how little I actually see during the game.
 
Can anyone explain to me how that is an illegal formation. The refs explanation was too many men in the back field, but I don't see it. Did he miss that we had a TE on the right side on the line?
It's because Pac 12 refs.

In all seriousness, there are 7 guys on the LOS and 4 guys in the backfield, so I'm not sure what they were calling. Maybe they determined Nembot was actually lined up too far off the LOS, but other than that, I'm not sure what they were looking at.
 
Drive #2 play #1 highlights everything that is wrong with Sefo. There is absolutely no reason for Sefo to be moving to his right and backwards on the play. He started moving because he assumed that Lindsay would miss the block. His movement to the outside freed up the only player on ASU's line that the blocking could not account for. Sefo has neither the arm strength or accuracy to do anything with the ball once he start retreating and moving right. Lindsay crushed his guy and had Sefo stayed put, sliding slightly to his left he would have kept the entire field in play and been in good position to step into a throw. The only good decision Sefo made was to not try and throw across his body back to the middle of the field.

Perfect example of Sefo and his happy feet.
 
Drive 4 play 1 I fail to see how they called an illegal formation. All the linemen and the TE had their heads past the waist of the center and the weakside receiver is clearly on the line.
 
Nice analysis! Thanks for posting this. Although I only see a small fraction of the events detailed here this does corroborate my general observations.
 
One thing this shows beyond any doubt is that Lindsay is an every down back. (In case anyone still questioned that.)
 
Oops...my bad. I started reading a few paragraphs down and didn't see the first sentence! D'oh!
 
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