Film Study: When Oklahoma State Uses Four Defensive Ends

What ISU Was Doing

ISU is lined up in a four-receiver spread package with three receivers (trips) to the strong side and the RB lined up to the left of the QB. This is a pass play, evidenced by the fact that the line is in its pass block two-point stance. The QB takes the snap and does a quick 5-step drop and the RB sells a pass block look before going out for a route.

Although we can’t see the routes the WRs are running, we have a pretty good idea that all three on the trips side are running a route deep enough to get the first down if the pass was to be completed. The offensive line has the numbers advantage on the defensive line here, so it’s all about executing their blocking assignments to give the QB the time and space he needs to make a play.

What OSU Was Doing

OSU is in a 4-1-6 Dime package. This is a fairly common defensive package, but I haven’t noticed the Pokes run it too many times this year. Then again, they haven’t had to. We have our four linemen, one linebacker (Jordan Burton) and six defensive backs. The two high safeties (Jordan Sterns and Tre Flowers) are 8-10 yards off the ball and are playing zone coverage. Flowers plays the deep zone and Sterns plays the hook zone.

The other DBs are playing up close on their WRs. Often, you’ll see a defense be in a zone-heavy scheme on third and long, but on this play the CB’s are playing man coverage. When the ball is snapped, we see Burton mirror the RB, which lets us know that he is Burton’s man to cover.

One of the more unique aspects of this formation is that all four defensive linemen are defensive ends. You have Jordan Brailford at RE, Jarrell Owens and Trace Clark at the defensive tackle positions, and Ogbah at LE.

Why This Worked For OSU

OSU was using this package with this particular personnel set for one reason: speed.

• Take away the tackles and replace them with speedy ends.

• Take out two linebackers—while leaving the fastest one—and bring in cornerbacks.

All game long, the ISU QB had made plays with his legs. As a result, this allowed the QB to make some longer throws downfield, too. With it being third and eight, OSU knew ISU would throw the ball, so it was important to have the players out there who would be able to cover the receiver. But with the ISU QB posing the threat of being able to run it, it was also important that you had players that could quickly leave their coverage and close in on the QB to prevent the first down.

The line’s job was solely to get to the quarterback. It was four OSU linemen to ISU’s five linemen. Ogbah fires off the ball when it’s snapped and just completely overpowers his blocker. There was no pre-snap disguises or stunts; it was just Ogbah being a physical freak and using his power and speed to get to the QB.