Didn't want to start a new thread because I knew this one was here, so I dug it up...
While Wadley's 1st TD run was a thing of beauty (VERY similar to the long TD run Shonn Greene had vs. Purdue in 2008, complete with the counter step from QB/RB), the 2nd one was equally impressive. Not due to Wadley, per se, but what happened on the LOS. Here's how it lined up:
.....C......................S......B........B.......C
............................B..E.....N....T.....E..S
.............................Y..T..G..C..G..T..H
......Z................................Q
........................................F
........................................S
I can't tell Northwestern's personnel exactly, so I've simply used a base 4-3. It very well could have been a heavy package with an extra backer thrown in there.
I think what really makes this play is Austin Blythe. We have seen a ton of pulling center running plays this year, probably more than we've ever run, and I think it's simply because we CAN. Blythe has shown the ability to snap the ball and quickly get into his pull footwork and be very effective when he gets to the point of attack. Another thing of note...this play probably could have been run either direction with success (notice if you draw a line down the "crack of the center", Northwestern is playing this straight up, as they should with a balanced formation). Because of Blythe's ability to get out in the pull, we have the chance to get 5 hats on 5 hats and in the red zone, that's all you really need.
The above play starts with motion by McCarron left to right...but he's merely a decoy. He gets a follow from the play side corner, hinting at man coverage. At the snap, the OL uses leverage to inhibit penetration. Krieger Coble (Y) down blocks the PSDE, Daniels (LG) works to keep his head on the playside of the nose, and Croston and Blythe pull. Walsh with the backside cut on the 2i defensive tackle cuts off any immediate backside penetration. Croston's pull leads him to kick out the playside OLB (he looked simply like he was waiting for his man to declare...if he dips inside, Croston logs him. Since he continued outside as force defender, Croston kicked him out). HKC gets beaten but he gets beaten to the correct side...if he doesn't keep his head in the hole (can't allow man to cross your face) his man is right there to make the stop for a 2 yard loss. That momentarily halts Wadley's progress, but once he gets through that it's smooth sailing because Blythe hits the hole and almost blocks 2 guys, holding them off long enough for Cox to help finish the job and let Wadley dance into the end zone unabated. Sean Welsh at RT also gets an attaboy on this play because his cut block made the backside ILB a non-factor in the play.
Fundamentals and execution...out of context (and sometimes in context) can be very boring. Not only that, but when fundamentals aren't followed and execution is a little lacking, plays can be downright ugly. But doing these little things that these plays work, like leverage, keeping your head on the correct side, and backside cut blocks. Having a badass for a center who can get out and create a 1 man seal doesn't hurt either. What makes it beautiful to watch is that we're putting our players in a position to succeed. In this particular play we're creating blocking angles to give a boost to Daniels and HKC, while Croston gets to put his mitts on a secondary player and Blythe gets a second level defender as well...not too mention Cox who along with Plewa are just hammers looking for nails.
The play in question (supposed to be the 3:38 mark, but if it starts at the beginning, just go to the 3:38 mark):
[video]https://youtu.be/7Q_Nstj7Lzg?t=3m38s[/video]
