Category: Playbook

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2021 Michigan Football — Playbook — Homecoming — Andrel Anthony 93 Yard TD Reception

Let’s break down the 93 yard touchdown pass from QB Cade McNamara to WR Andrel Anthony at the 11:17 mark of the 1st quarter.

It was a big play for Michigan and a triumphant return for Anthony, a true freshman, who attended East Lansing High School.

PRE-SNAP


Here is the pre-snap look at the line of scrimmage. It’s third down and five yards to go, early in the first quarter. Michigan has the three receivers to the wide side of the field– as I’ve mentioned before I love when the Gattis overload the formation with receivers like this. It gives the offense many options and causes coverage problems, if the offensive line can hold their blocks long enough for the receivers to run their routes. Michigan State has their defensive linemen ready to drive up the field to pressure McNamara.

Here’s another angle showing the key Spartan defenders targeted by the play.

POST SNAP

#15 picks up #1 Andrel Anthony, trailing him as he runs a slant pattern across the field. The safety #3 drops back and drifts to the left as Anthony crosses in front him. #6 drops back and spins in an attempt to follow Anthony. With no one to block #2 Blake Corum drifts out of the backfield and turns in case McNamara needs to dump the ball off.

Cade McNamara hits Andrel Anthony in stride as he crosses the field, exploiting a bubble in the Spartan defense, as defenders shift to cover the receivers.

Anthony gets behind #3, and then it’s off to the races.

PLAY DIAGRAM — THE ACTION

This play shows how the overloading the formation to the wide side causes problems for spartan defense. The safety #3 initially takes a few steps back while tracking the Michigan receivers, by time Anthony takes the pass he’s out of position to make a play on the speedy receiver.

Michigan called a great play, but it relied on the offensive line holding their blocks, Anthony running a precise pattern, and McNamara throwing a ball right where it needed to go.

It was a great start to what unfortunately would be a disappointing day for the Wolverines.

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2021 Michigan Football — Playbook — The Sack — What Could Have Been

Let’s break down the play where Cade McNamara was sacked at the 10:29 mark of the 1st quarter resulting in a 10 yard loss for Michigan.

It was a big play for Northwestern, but it could have been a huge play for the Wolverines.

PRE-SNAP


Here is the pre-snap look as the teams line up. Michigan has the three receivers to the wide side of the field– I’ve mentioned before I love when the Gattis brings three or four receivers out like this. It gives the offense many options and causes the defense problems as we’ll see here. Northwestern as their wide side defenders 5-10 yards off of the Michigan receivers.

This is what Cade McNamara sees as the Michigan offense lines up. The Wolverines are attacking the wide side of the Northwestern defense. It’s 2nd down and 7 yards to go, and Gattis has a pass play dialed up.

Cade McNamara’s pre-snap look at the defensive alignment

POST SNAP

Post snap the receivers streak down the left side of the field, creating a bubble for Blake Corum who swings out of the backfield. At this point Northwestern has a problem; Michigan has overloaded the left side of the formation 4 to 3. The receivers are creating space for Blake Corum to potentially catch the ball and turn up field.

Blake Corum has a lots of room to work with as the Michigan receivers head downfield

And what about the middle? AJ Henning is streaking open behind the Northwestern linebackers who have stepped up to pressure McNamara.

And wait there’s more:

AJ Henning is by himself but Cade McNamara doesn’t have the time

Things are looking up…but Northwestern makes a play.

PLAY DIAGRAM — THE ACTION

Northwestern #16 Brandon Joseph sprints at the snap of the ball and runs unimpeded to sack #12 Cade McNamara.

#66 Chuck Filiaga doesn’t see the speeding Joseph who exploits a huge split in the Michigan formation.

This is a great example of the fickle finger of football fate.

Michigan had a great play dialed up but Filiaga, a solid offensive lineman, fails to pick up the blitzing Northwestern defender. What could have a been a big play for Michigan instead results in a big play for their opponent.

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2021 Michigan Football — Playbook — The Leap — Hassan Haskins

Let’s break down Hassan Haskins’ leaping 50 yard run versus Nebraska.

There are some nice plays on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines nearly scored a touchdown if not for some backside pursuit by Nebraska. It was crucial point in the game, with the Cornhuskers leading 49-26 with 6:27 remaining in the 4th quarter.

This is what Cade McNamara sees as the Michigan offense lines up. The Wolverines are attacking the right side the Nebraska defense. It’s 2nd down and 3 yards to go, the Cornhuskers are expecting pass, they have a safety deep (practically in the the next county) to stop the big play– they’re conceding a first down on this play call.

#25 Hassan Haskins is lined up behind Cade to take the hand-off post snap. The play will be led by #86 Luke Schoonmaker and #52 Chuck Filiaga who are pulling to point of attack.

The key players to watch on Nebraska are #9 (safety), #8 (defensive back), and #42 (linebacker).

#3 AJ Henning blocks #8 all the way downfield, #86 Luke Schoonmaker and #52 Chuck Filiaga pull and engage defenders, opening a gap for #25 Hassan Haskins after taking the handoff from #25 Cade McNamara.

At this point, #9 (the safety) moves up to tackle Haskins (note the block by #66).

And then this happened.

Credit #42 Nebraska for shaking the block by #66 Filiaga and catching Hassan Haskins. If Filiaga had been able to get his head on the other side during the block, Haskins may be scored a touchdown. But Filiaga made a great play, not only did he delay #42 he also avoided a blocking in the back penalty when which would have erased the play. The Nebraska linebackers key on the players pulling which reveals the point of attack, making Filiaga’s task more difficult.

#42 chased Haskins and eventually made the tackle. While Haskins’ leap got the raves deservedly so) the play was made possible by pulling of #86 Schoonmaker and #66 Filiaga.
It was great play by #42 to catch Haskins after the leap.

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2021 Michigan Football — Playbook — Flea Flicker — Hassan Haskins to Cade McNamara to Cornelius Johnson

Let’s break down Michigan’s first touchdown versus Wisconsin in their 38-17 victory.

The Wolverines execute a textbook example of flea flickers pass. They line up in an I-formation with two wide outs. Roman Wilson goes in motion pre-snap and the Wisconsin defensive back #21 goes with him, clearing out the left side of the field.

Look at what Cade sees pre-snap. You can #9 the safety already cheating up.

#25 Hassan Haskins is lined up behind Cade to take the hand-off post snap. By lining strong right the Wolverines cause the Wisconsin defense to shifts attackers away from the center of Michigan formation. The Michigan offensive line must prevent any defender from getting to Haskins before he can flip the ball back to McNamara. Michigan has five offensive lineman to counter Wisconsin’s nose tackle, defensive linemen, and defensive end (4).

This play targets the safety #9, who overcommits to the run when he see #25 Hassan Haskins take the hand-off from #12 Cade McNamara.

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#9 comes up to cover the run and he shifts to cover #14 Roman Wilson when the he recognizes that something is afoot. #6 Cornelius Johnson takes off to the left corner of the endzone. #21 from Wisconsin who had gone in motion to cover #14 Wilson shifts to cover Johnson but he is too late, getting turned around with his back to the play in an effort to close the gap. #11 shadows mirrors Johnson but can’t match his speed.

McNamara throws a prefect pass to Johnson and Michigan scores their first touchdown of the day.

Everything worked for Michigan to execute this play.

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2021 Michigan Football — Playbook — Cade McNamara’s pass to Cornelius Johnson

Let’s break down Cornelius Johnson’s 10 yard reception from Cade McNamara in the 1st quarter versus Rutgers.

The Wolverines line up with four receivers in a diamond formation which overloads the right side of the field.

Pre-snap, the first thing to notice is that RB Blake Corum is in the slot of the diamond and unaccounted for.

Michigan snaps the ball, the front three players of the diamond engage the defenders opening a gap on the defense while Blake Corum retreats for a potential pass.

Michigan QB Cade McNamara passes the ball to wide receiver #6 Cornelius Johnson and on the slant pattern, who makes the 10 yard reception and converts to first down.

But Michigan had multiple options out of this alignment. If the Rutgers safety had cheated up to take away the slant route, McNamara could have stepped up in pocket and ran the ball, taking advantage of the blocking provided by this offensive line.

He also could have passed the ball to Blake Corum who would who has three teammates blocking for him. Another variation would be for Corum to take a lateral from McNamara and throw a pass downfield.

Look for the Wolverines to use this formation later in the season.