Film Study: How J.W. Walsh Does Work at the Goal Line

Welcome back to this week’s film study, today we are going to take a look at three different plays from the K-State game. Below is a screenshot of the goal line Walsh package.

On this play OSU is set up with three wide, single back, and one tight end (both are Cowboy Backs). The defense is lined up with five down linemen, three linebackers, two corners and a safety. The third linebacker is standing up on the line of scrimmage, so technically KSU has six men on the line. The play sets up with six on six and a fullback on a linebacker.

What I love about this play is the versatility it brings. J.W. has so many options, and it keeps a defense on their toes. From the snap, this is clearly a QB run. J.W. can hand off to Sheperd, throw it to the flats, or throw a jump ball to the single-covered WR. So many options, I’d really enjoy being able to call plays out of this formation

On hut (or loud clap) the entire offensive line blocks down except for the LG who is pulling back towards the right. The WR is motioning back right, which essentially takes the backside corner out of the play, since he is playing man and has to run around the LBs.

I am such a huge fan of this blocking scheme; OSUs offensive line doesn’t block well in straight up run blocking schemes. OSU blocks left and runs right. It confuses the linebackers and takes most of the defensive line out of the equation. As a former, albeit terrible, offensive lineman (only in high school and barely actually played), it is much easier to block someone with the flow instead of having to block head to head. The defensive line all step the same direction as the offensive line. This kind of misdirection is something that could drastically improve the run game.

Unfortunately the LG falls down as he’s trying to pull. If you’ll look closely, his right leg and body are on completely different pages. Note to the rest of the offensive line — it is hard to make blocks when you forget to bring both legs with you.

Now the way the play is supposed to run is the WR continues to take the backside corner out of the play. The fullback kicks out the linebacker on the LOS, the middle linebacker has to keep an eye out for the full back and the pulling guard pulls into the hole JW is supposed to run, and blocks the backside backer.

J.W. should walk into the end zone untouched. Play design and the fact that OSU has thrown out of this formation takes all but two players out of the play with little effort. This is such an important piece to OSUs offense.

Mike Gundy made note of that on Monday. Here’s the O’Colly.

“There’s not enough plays in the game and the scenarios haven’t been built,” said Gundy. “There’s a bigger package for him. There’s two ways to look at that. One: I wish he could do more because he’s good for our offense. Two: I don’t want to be disruptive of the flow that Mason has in the game. I’m not sure that I have the answer for that, and I’m not sure that anybody else does.”

I personally don’t like pulling the starting QB in favor of backup QB in any situation, but when you have such a nice weapon in J.W., I completely understand it. Plus J.W. has been such a hard worker and ambassador to OSU, I just want to see him do well.

I’d like to take a moment and endorse him to be OSUs next head football coach, maybe between the 2025-2030 range. Let him go off and coach under Holgerson for a few years and come back to become OC/head coach in waiting.