Most "Deadly" Plays in FCS football

[PaladinFan]

Years ago, I remember reading an SI article about the most "deadly" plays in the NFL (admittedly, "deadly" might not have been the right word, but it was something like it). The idea being that some of the league's offenses could run a play (or a series of similar plays) that defense just had a really hard time stopping.

I'm not talking about running a double-reverse pass on the first play from scrimmage against an overmatched team. I'm talking about a play that is a staple of the offense that the defense knows is coming and can't do anything to stop.

The #1 example at the time was Denver's zone run by Terrell Davis. Denver (in the days of the "Mile High Salute") would have their entire offensive line block one direction, Davis would run, put his foot in the ground and gain chunks of yards nearly every time. Every defense they played knew it was coming and couldn't stop it.

I'd be interested to know whether there are such plays (or series of plays) that FCS teams run that defenses just struggle to defend. Admittedly, this may be less of a "system" question and more of a "personnel" question. If you've got video, let's see it. My criteria:

1. A staple of the offense. That is, not a trick or gimmick play brought out once or twice a season. A team may not run the play 15 times a game, but it is a play the defense knows is coming, is prepared to defend, and can't.
2. It's gotta routinely gain something. Your team may run a half-back power for 2.5 yards per carry a dozen times. I want to see plays that at least routinely pick up 5-7 yards against a defense prepared to defend it.
3. It can be based on personnel, not offensive philosophy. Some plays work because of the beast who is running them, not because of any x's and o's. The play may change from year to year based on this (i.e., a fullback trap is a lot more dangerous with Eric Britenstein or Jerome Felton in the backfield not because of the play design)

I think this will be some interesting preseason discussion.

[PaladinFan]

For Furman - the load (pop) option pass.

The Paladins utilize a lot of option motion and throw off the play action. Defenders get used to being blocked downfield by backs and TEs, and then Furman will mix in an option play action pass where the QB just floats backwards. We run it maybe twice a game, but I haven't seen a team really defend it yet in two years. It's just such a hard play to pick up.

https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/914181971298861056

https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1150064943896489985

https://twitter.com/CoachDanCasey/status/983061963172442112

[JSUSoutherner]

Most deadly play in FCS football right now is a pass to Josh Pearson.

End Thread.

[TheKingpin28]

Power A Gap for NDSU offense.

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[grayghost06]

Not sure if it meets your criteria, but JMU used to run the jump pass pretty effectively when we had Rodney Landers. It can be pretty tough to defend when you have a good runner at QB -think Tim Tebow. I frankly thought we could have run it more often than we did and been equally successful.

[FUBeAR]

Power A Gap for NDSU offense.

Sent from my SM-J727V using TapatalkI call it A-Gap Power, but TRUE DAT.

It is a thing of beauty; a work of art. I get chill bumps & my eyes mist over watching it.

[PaladinFan]

One killer was Samford's QB draw. I'll try to find a video of it.

Bulldogs routinely run five wide, and often inside the 10-15 yard line Devlin Hodges would run a draw play. Much is made of his passing ability, but I think the thing that elevated him in the upper echelon of FCS QBs was his running.

Samford didn't run it often, but it was so difficult to defend that play against a Samford offense that moved incredibly fast and spread you out. Hodges will beat most linebackers in the open field.

https://twitter.com/SheldonFox6/status/1035334162172047360

[PaladinFan]

WCU's QB Power/delay with Tyrie Adams

https://twitter.com/Catamounts/status/1036059609721524224

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtXFE1N4o6E at :54, 1:27, 1:35, 3:38, 4:18

Led the SoCon in rushing as a QB. Even as a QB, he's a large part of WCU's offense as a single-back on designed runs. Adams is tough enough to stop while scrambling, but when WCU can get that QB run going, they are nails to slow down.

[SU DOG]

From my HS coaching experience, I would have to go with the Off-Tackle Power Play. This play can be blocked so many different ways, and has so many options for lead blockers that it has always been my favorite. It may not meet the criteria of 5-7 yards, but it also might often even exceed this yardage. I think, that if run correctly, it is almost impossible to stop for no gain. It seemed almost automatic for scoring inside the 5, or to make short yardage needed for a first down. Not as exciting as a corner route passing play maybe, but what a great offensive weapon if the O-Linemen will just execute. Glad that PF gave me the opportunity to rave about the play that was so good for me.

[PaladinFan]

From my HS coaching experience, I would have to go with the Off-Tackle Power Play. This play can be blocked so many different ways, and has so many options for lead blockers that it has always been my favorite. It may not meet the criteria of 5-7 yards, but it also might often even exceed this yardage. I think, that if run correctly, it is almost impossible to stop for no gain. It seemed almost automatic for scoring inside the 5, or to make short yardage needed for a first down. Not as exciting as a corner route passing play maybe, but what a great offensive weapon if the O-Linemen will just execute. Glad that PF gave me the opportunity to rave about the play that was so good for me.

I essentially think that's what WCU runs with Adams. He has no intention of throwing the ball - waits for his blocks to set and then blows through the hole.

It has beauty in the simplicity. Our high school would routinely run 31/32 counter-trap with the fullback. We weren't the biggest guys, but that really didn't matter when the play was primarily footwork and leverage.

[Schism55]

My mostly deadly play is 3 trips to Chipotle in one day then an epic dutch oven for the gf :D

[UpstateBison]

The Delta formation, I think that is what it is called. When NDSU lines up with 3 running backs, it is going to gain yards. The defense knows it is coming and can’t stop it.


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[WestCoastAggie]

1. A well timed kickoff or punt return. That's been a staple play for A&T since 2012.

2. The strong-side WR, typically E. Bell, running a 10-12 yard hitch or hard in cut towards the seam.

3. A fade route in the redzone.

[Schism55]

The Delta formation, I think that is what it is called. When NDSU lines up with 3 running backs, it is going to gain yards. The defense knows it is coming and can’t stop it.


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LOVE that formation, soo many possible plays out of it.

[Professor Chaos]

The Delta formation, I think that is what it is called. When NDSU lines up with 3 running backs, it is going to gain yards. The defense knows it is coming and can’t stop it.


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Play action from that formation, and other multi-back formations, with the wheel route (or two) from the RB/FB coming out of it. Every team who plays NDSU has seen it on tape yet very few can defend it because that run threat demands so much attention.

https://twitter.com/RossUglem/status/1071821107202875393

So good it's been "borrowed" by NFL play callers: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/how-andy-reid-stole-play-carson-wentz?amp&__twitter_impression=true

[ysubigred]

YSU ~ The punt xrolleyesx

[Evolution Prime]

Anything that NDSU runs against SDSU in the playoffs on 3rd and long.

[Redbird 4th & short]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5pd3SzV4vY

all of the above