The Golden Play

One final word on the Michigan game before we move on to beat the Spartans this Saturday. The Notre Dame blog Blue-Gray Sky has an excellent screen shot and video of the play that put Notre Dame up 21-0 in the 1st quarter against Michigan.

The Irish had stopped Michigan on 4th down and took over at their own 37. The first play from scrimmage resulted in a pass interference call on UM cornerback Donovan Warren, which gave the Irish the ball at the UM 48 yard line. The Irish line up in a Weak I formation Twin TE set with Golden Tate split wide to the left. James Aldridge is the running back. Michigan is in their base 4-3 set.

[caption id="attachment_184" align="aligncenter" width="414" caption="Weak I Twin TE"][/caption]

As the ball is snapped UM CB Morgan Trent begins to back peddle and guard the boundary side of the field. Based on his actions, he clearly assumes Tate will try to beat him to the outside and run up the field. He wants to keep him inside because he has safety help over the top. Or so he thinks.

[caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption="1st & 10 Pre-Snap"][/caption]

When the ball is snapped Tate runs a slant right at the free safety Steve Brown. Jimmy play fakes a left handoff to Aldridge and Schwapp kicks to the outside to sell the run. UM's SLB & MLB flow toward the running back as all four defensive lineman engage our offensive line. The WLB and LCB drop back in coverage once they recognize the play fake, to contain any TE release down the field. This leaves the Irish with a 9 to 6 advantage in blocking. As seen below, both Aldridge (1) and Schwapp (3) run left to sell the run, and LT Mike Turovich (2) takes on the RDE. This allows Dan Wenger (4) and Eric Olsen (5) to double team one UM DT and Chris Stewart (6) and Sam Young (7) to double team the other DT. TE Will Yeatman (9) takes on the LDE while Kyle Rudolph (8) awaits any late-coming rushers.





[caption id="attachment_182" align="aligncenter" width="468" caption="The Golden Play"][/caption]

While the play fake is being sold, Tate slants inside initially and then cuts upfield, running past the FS Brown and the CB Trent. The SS Brandon Harrison runs over to assist but ends up chasing Tate as well. Clausen makes a perfect throw and hits Tate in stride just outside the endzone.