From a fan's perspective, one of the more frustrating parts about Virginia Tech's 27-0 win over Delaware two weeks ago was probably the Hokies' inability to find success on the ground. Tech's rushing attack averaged just 2.9 yards per carry vs. the Blue Hens, and the Hokies struggled much of the day offensively.
That same rushing attack found its way vs. East Carolina. Virginia Tech finished the day with 287 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The Hokies were able to wear down the East Carolina defensive front, and opened up the backend for several big pass plays.
Earlier in the week, Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente and running backs coach Zohn Burden were asked what made the Hokies' rushing attack so successful. Their two answers were better blocking up front, and wearing down the East Carolina defense with 54 offensive plays in the first half.
After going back and watching both games, I can see what they meant by better blocking up front. First, let's take a look at the Delaware game, and see an example of what went wrong.
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This play comes on a 1st and 10 from the Virginia Tech 45-yard-line. The game isn't close, but isn't a blowout either. Tech is trying to assert their dominance and run some clock. The Hokies line up in 20-personnel (two running backs, zero tight ends) with two receivers to the left and one out wide to the right.
Here, both guards are going to pull left, while the rest of the offensive line tries to seal off the defensive line. It's a power concept, but with two pulling guards instead of one. The problem lies in the linebacker/nickelback stationed in the "alley", or the area between the receivers and offensive line. He sniffs out the play and is way too deep in the backfield before Wyatt Teller can get to him. The defender blows up the block anyway, creating an obstacle for the running back, Travon McMillian. Braxton Pfaff, the second pulling guard, also cannot get to his block in time, and this play is completely blown up 2-3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. McMillian bounces outside and is pushed out of bounds for no gain.
Better execution on power concepts
Throughout the East Carolina game, Virginia Tech tried to run similar concepts with pulling offensive linemen. However, those linemen executed much better vs. the Pirates than they did vs. Delaware. On this play, Virginia Tech faces a 2nd and five from their own 30-yard-line. Tech once again lines up in 20-personnel, with two receivers to the left and one to the right. The formation is identical to the first play, shown above.
On this power concept, Virginia Tech pulls the center, Eric Gallo, instead of pulling a guard. Dalton Keene misses his block, but Gallo is right there to pick him up and take him out of the play. This, combined with solid blocks from Wyatt Teller and Yosuah Nijman, give Travon McMillian a nice running lane. McMillian cuts through the gap, finding his receivers making solid blocks downfield. McMillian bounces off of a would-be tackler, and gains another 3-4 yards on a 13-yard rush. This play succeeds due to solid blocking from the offensive line and the receivers.
Using misdirection to help the running game
By now, you know that Virginia Tech loves using misdirection in their offense. It's present in a lot of their key concepts and schemes, and it was on full display vs. East Carolina.
On this play, Virginia Tech lines up in 21-personnel, with two backs and a tight end, Colt Pettit. Cam Phillips, the wide receiver at the top of the play, motions through the backfield, acting like he's going to take the handoff. This jet sweep-action drags the play-side outside linebacker away from the play, which is a power-run to the left.
Braxton Pfaff pulls from the right guard position, while Wyatt Teller and Yosuah Nijman double-team the play-side defensive tackle. Pettit is supposed to seal the defensive end, creating a gap just to the outside of Teller and Nijman's double-team block. However, the end crashes inside, so Pettit gladly blocks him into the rest of the defensive line. Once Dalton Keene seals the middle linebacker, Travon McMillian has an open running lane with Pfaff as his lead blocker. Pfaff is slightly late to block the back-side linebacker, but this run still goes for six yards. Interestingly enough, Virginia Tech ran an actual jet sweep on the very next play for eight yards.
If you thought you saw this concept later in the game, it's because you did. Later in the first quarter, Virginia Tech ran a very similar play.
The only difference with this blocking scheme is that Colt Pettit leaves the defensive end unblocked to take out the back-side linebacker. Pfaff pulls and blocks the middle linebacker, while Keene takes the unblocked end. McMillian runs right to the outside of the double-team block this team, and churns out seven yards.
Quickly, I'd like to point out that these are offset-I formations, with Josh Jackson under center and the running backs stacked diagonally in the backfield. Pettit is also the tight end, instead of Chris Cunningham. This is about as close as it gets to a heavy personnel under Justin Fuente, outside of goal line formations.
Virginia Tech used another type of misdirection vs. East Carolina. The counter-run utilizes power running concepts, but the running back fakes the run one way before cutting back and running the opposite. Tech is facing a 1st and 10 here from the East Carolina 18-yard-line, early in the first quarter. The Hokies are in 20-personnel, with two backs, no tight ends, two receivers to the right and one to the left.
On this play, Wyatt Teller and Dalton Keene both pull to the right, and Travon McMillian follows them after selling the run to the left. Teller fails to block the linebacker, but is saved by Keene. Teller then loses his balance and ends up blocking a linebacker, somehow. McMillian picks up a great block from CJ Carroll, leaving a wide crease in the defense. McMillian goes untouched for five yards, and it's another solid run for the Hokies.
Better execution on zone running concepts
Virginia Tech executed better all around on Saturday, even in non-power running plays. They did well in their zone schemes too.
This play is a basic dive run, with the running back running straight up the middle. The Hokies don't pull any blockers, instead using a zone scheme. Each offensive lineman is responsible for their zone. Tech spreads the field here, with three receivers and Keene split out wide.
Here, the entire offensive line executes well. Neither of the defensive tackles are able to get into the A-gaps (gaps between the center and guards), and Eric Gallo is free to get to the second level. Gallo takes the middle linebacker, and the width of the formation has created a void in the defense. Deshawn McClease gets an easy six yards.
On this final play, it's another inside zone play to the right.
Eric Gallo and Braxton Pfaff dispatch the defensive tackle easily, allowing Pfaff to move to the second level. He moves on to the back-side linebacker while Dalton Keene takes the play-side linebacker. Hezekiah Grimsley guides his man into Keene's block, taking him out of the play. The result is gaping hole in the defense and a 19-yard run for McMillian.
What does this all mean?
Virginia Tech's rushing attack vs. Delaware suffered for a couple of reasons. One, the Blue Hens stacked the box regularly. Two, the Hokies' offensive line didn't have a great day. Against East Carolina, Virginia Tech's offense as a whole blocked very well, the line, the tight ends and wide receivers included. The Hokies also used misdirection to assist them, often removing a defender from the play without even blocking him. From a schematic and execution standpoint, it was a terrific day for Virginia Tech on the ground.
One thing to watch for is if we see Colt Pettit more at tight end, with Dalton Keene lined up as the H-back. Pettit is a former offensive lineman who moved to tight end midway last season, and had a big effect on Tech's win vs. Notre Dame. If the Hokies feel like they can be versatile enough through the air with Pettit on the field, expect to see more power formations in the future. That's one thing we have not seen much of under Justin Fuente, but I know a certain section of the fanbase would welcome the offset-I formations, like we saw vs. East Carolina.