Now that the UCLA football team has implemented the option into their run game, let us look at how the passing game will be implemented with the run/option.
Looking out over Spaulding Field from Lot 8 this past Saturday as the UCLA football team took the field for their first weekend practice since returning from spring break, I noticed that the quarterbacks were working on drills that are key to effectively running triple-option.
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The quarterbacks, each and everyone of them, were practicing the proper way way to make pitches and shovel-passes, which are often used for runs out to a second running option.
Sure enough, when they got with the rest of the offense, the QBs were locked into the newly implemented option plays. Runs up the middle, QB keepers and second running back options to the side.
I wrote about how this should work for UCLA as they start to develop the style ahead coach Chip Kelly has planned in the article Implementing the Option in the Run Game, so give that quick read when you can as it helps understand the evolution of what Kelly is looking to do.
With a focus on improving the ground game, especially since Kelly’s offense is based in the run, it is essential that the Bruins know what to do and how to run the option come fall. But there is another ellement that must accompany the run game… the passing game.
Implementing the pass with the option (cont.)
Watching practice, I got into a discussion with another UCLA writer, Tony Siracusa of Last Word on College Football. In discussing how the option could benefit the Bruins, he said something that I think some UCLA fans might misinterpret. “Some people think Kelly is going to throw the ball around like Mike Leach at Washington State. If you remember Kelly’s last season at Oregon with Marcus Mariota, they did not throw the ball that much.”
In 2012, Oregon threw the ball 373 times (35.7%) as opposed to running the ball 672 times (64.3%).
I believe the misconception comes from hearing the word “spread”. Yes, Kelly is going to spread the field, but his priority is running the ball, unlike Leach who’s priority is throwing the ball.
Kelly wants to deceive defenses and though it will happen on the ground, the passing game will serve an important role in getting the ball downfield.
The advantage of this is that the quarterback does not have to have a strong arm, but needs to be able to make quick decisions, make quick reads and use their feet. He also has to be on the same page as his receivers.
Another part of Kelly’s offense relies on reading defenses as he looks to exploit mismatches and get his players into position to make plays, especially in open space, this is where his receivers come in. Running backs are going to have to make the quick choices trying to run through gaps and finding holes, but if the defense has them covered, a quick pass to the second (or third) level of the defense will be effective tools to moving the offense.
Though I would not rule them out, don’t expect to see long bombs down field. Kelly is methodical in his approach and does not want to waste a down on potential drop. Every play Kelly gets will be thoroughly assessed with every options meticulously studied.
If a play calls for a pass, then Kellly’s receivers are going to have to be ready and from what we have seen in spring practice, they are starting to take shape, just as the run game is doing.
Implementing the pass with the option (cont.)
Kelly wanted to bring in “long and fast” players and so far he has two with freshmen WR Kyle Phillips and Chase Cota have enrolled early. Both have good speed, but what might be more vital is how good their pass catching abilities are as well as thei field vision. So far so good (and they also have a few more coming in the fall), but the Bruins also have a few receivers that have a bit more experience and knowledge with running a meticulous offense.
One thing that remains consistent with the receivers from last season is WR coach Jimmie Dougherty. He helped evolve UCLA’s offense under former OC Jedd Fisch. Several receivers became very reliable (moreso than they did in 2016) which aided the supercharged offense led by Josh Rosen.
What the receivers have to focus on are matchups and quick decision making. They need to be aware of what is going on at the line of scrimmage because if the first (running) option is spent, the play could shift towards the receivers.
In 2016, UCLA caught for 3547 yards. In 2017 under Dougherty, it imlorved by almost 1,000 yards as the Bruins caught for 4,478 yards. With a healthy Rosen, arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the country, the receivers needed to be on the same page as the QB and it progressed very nicely, as you can see from the stats. They were better disciplined and reliable.
Though the Bruins lose several key receivers from last season, such as Darren Andrews, Jordan Lasley and Austin Roberts, they retain the service s of Theo Howard, Christian Pabico and Caleb WIlson, all of which proved themselves to have good hands, and slightly more important, keeping the consistency intact.
The next step is getting these hands ready for Kelly’s offense. The receivers are going to need to watch for mismatches in the open field, develop their route running, focus on catching and occasional blocking, as Kelly’s focus is on creating space for quick, short yardage plays that get up the field quickly.
Now this doesn’t mean there will be no long passes or runs. On the contrary, deception and creating space is essential for getting more yards and if a quick slant avoids enough defensive pressure, then UCLA can gain several extra yards, having small plays turn into big ones.
What the receivers have to focus on are matchups and quick decision making. They need to be aware of what is going on at the line of scrimmage because if the first (running) option is spent, the play could shift towards the receivers. Let us look at how that works when running on all cylinders.
Implementing the pass with the option (cont.)
The pass and run can live in the option together. Above is an abbreviated look at Oregon at USC in 2012, Kelly’s last season as the head of the Ducks.
Oregon and Mariota start the game creating space. USC knows that the Ducks are going to run, so Kelly comes out attacking with several quick passes which immediately moves the ball down field in the first drive of the game.
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Notice how defenders start to dedicate too many players to the run. Mariota sees this and locks to the next level for an open receiver on multiple occasions, which have plenty of room when a DL or LB commit to a run stop near the line of scrimmage. Either way, on those plays, if the defender is set in their zone, the ball carrier has room to move past the line of scrimmage. Oregon is able to find different ways to exploit the defense.
On the second drive, defenders appear to be a bit more committed to sticking with receivers, giving more room for the Oregon ball carriers to run once they get past the line of scrimmage. Though they are quickly met by the defense, it is not after the Ducks obtain several yards after contact.
Once the USC defense is on their heels, Oregon continues attacking with the run, intermittently adding a passing attack. Oregon ended that game with 23 passing attempts for 304 yards while they ran it 60 times for 426 yards, scoring on 9 pf 14 of their drives on their way to a 62-51 victory.
Though the pass game is not front and center, it his just as important to the offense as they look to get down the field in a hurry.
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Kelly has his plan and it will take time, but if everyone buys into it and trusts the process, the Bruins will be able to go as fast and efficiently as that Oregon team, though in time. I do not believe UCLA’s first year with Kelly will be as successful as his fourth with Oregon, but there is hope.