I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to explain a blown coverage this year, but at least this one is easy. Jabari Mack is in zone coverage on this play with the responsibility for the third of the field to the top of the field. He starts the play staring into the backfield at the quarterback, and he lets the wide receiver run right past him.
There is no double move on this play. The quarterback does not pump fake. Davis Warren isn’t even looking that way to start the play. I don’t know what
Mack is looking at on this play, but if you would like a look at what he should have done on this play, watch Tayon Holloway open his hips at the bottom of the screen and put himself in a position to react to any route.
I really liked this third down call from Brian Brohm. At times, offenses are too reliant on power runs or plays that feature the quarterback or running back in short yardage. Brohm does well to get his fastest receiver on the edge of the defense off of the run actions above. Tre Richardson is a step or two from breaking this for a touchdown.
I can be a little critical of Lincoln Kienholz in these film reviews, but at least once a game, he shows that he has a high ceiling as a pocket passer. On this play, he navigates the pocket really well as Stanford brings pressure up the middle on him. He takes two subtle steps to his right while never taking his eyes off of his target. From a different angle, you can see that he throws this ball right before Jaleel Skinner makes his break. Really good stuff from Linc on this play.
Stanford scored on two straight busted coverages, but this was one of the worst of the season by the Louisville defense. I’ve said for weeks that if you want to create a big play, just use motion. The Cards’ defense cannot handle any sort of motion for whatever reason, and I think teams are taking notice of that fact.
I clipped this play from the time the defense lines up because it shows that Kaleb Beasley is looking directly at the man he is supposed to be guarding before he just ignores him as he goes in motion and out for a route. Beasley realizes he blew the coverage, but it’s too late and Stanford gets the easiest touchdown of their season.
I made a comment when this play happened live that this offense is lucky that they have two ridiculous running backs. I said that because Isaac Brown gets hit two yards into the backfield on this play but still somehow turns it into a near twenty-yard gain. No one does a good job blocking on this play, but Isaac runs through a tackle in the backfield before he uses his speed to outrun a backside linebacker who gets shielded off by Johnnie Brown.
This is a bit of a “hospital ball” from Linc, but I think he probably would have put more on this ball if he had a little more room to step into the throw. Instead, he puts a little too much air on the ball, which allows the safety to get over for a big hit. Tre Richardson is a trooper for taking this hit and hanging onto the ball.
Tyler Thompson has been on a tear over the last few weeks. He has repeatedly gotten under the arms of offensive tackles and used his balance and flexibility to bend around to the quarterback. On this play, he finishes it off with a very heads up play to strip the quarterback for a forced fumble.
This is a good example of how the defense needs to match its coverage to its pass rush. Warren has to hold onto the ball just a bit, which gives Thompson time to get home.
Here is your weekly instalment of: Man, it’s nice to have a quarterback who can do that.
