Tag: Cade McNamara

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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.