AN EXCERPT:
During his first stint at West Virginia, his alma mater, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and led the Mountaineers to a top-five ranking in 2005. That season ended with a showdown against No. 7 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (played in Atlanta, not New Orleans, due to damage sustained to the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina).
West Virginia, a touchdown underdog, jumped out to a 14-0 lead and was set up in great field position after forcing a turnover deep in Georgia territory. Facing a second-and-12 at the 13-yard line, Rodriguez broke out a play he hadn’t run all season. It was called “Roscoe Sucker” and it broke open so wide that receiver Darius Reynaud ran into the end zone untouched, giving the Mountaineers a three-touchdown lead just 10 minutes into the game.
“We ran this zone-read, triple-option deal to Darius Reynaud, our slot,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody thought it would be either (quarterback) Pat White or (running back) Stevie Slaton having it, so it was like this zone-read option-reverse pitch to Darius. We hadn’t run it that year. I think we ran it the year before. We had it as a red-zone call because we knew that’s when they’d be aggressive and fast-flow. They’re gonna be flying to the ball. It was the perfect time to do it.”
Georgia made things interesting, but West Virginia held on for a 38-35 win.
(The play occurs at 29:50)
www.nytimes.com
Rich Rodriguez
Rodriguez, who returned to West Virginia in the offseason, is one of the most innovative offensive coaches in college football history. He’s the godfather of the zone read and was the brains behind Tulane’s spread offense that propelled the Green Wave to a 12-0 record in 1998.During his first stint at West Virginia, his alma mater, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and led the Mountaineers to a top-five ranking in 2005. That season ended with a showdown against No. 7 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (played in Atlanta, not New Orleans, due to damage sustained to the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina).
West Virginia, a touchdown underdog, jumped out to a 14-0 lead and was set up in great field position after forcing a turnover deep in Georgia territory. Facing a second-and-12 at the 13-yard line, Rodriguez broke out a play he hadn’t run all season. It was called “Roscoe Sucker” and it broke open so wide that receiver Darius Reynaud ran into the end zone untouched, giving the Mountaineers a three-touchdown lead just 10 minutes into the game.
“We ran this zone-read, triple-option deal to Darius Reynaud, our slot,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody thought it would be either (quarterback) Pat White or (running back) Stevie Slaton having it, so it was like this zone-read option-reverse pitch to Darius. We hadn’t run it that year. I think we ran it the year before. We had it as a red-zone call because we knew that’s when they’d be aggressive and fast-flow. They’re gonna be flying to the ball. It was the perfect time to do it.”
Georgia made things interesting, but West Virginia held on for a 38-35 win.
(The play occurs at 29:50)
College coaches describe the favorite play call of their careers: ‘I’m pretty sure it’s gonna work’
Some offensive coordinators have as many 100 plays at their disposal. The best of the best know what to call at the right time.
www.nytimes.com
