Now that the 2022 season has come to an end for the Oregon Ducks, we can look forward to the 2023 season, and what Coach Will Stein looks to bring to the offense. Coach Stein’s offense is incredibly similar to the one that Coach Kenny Dillingham installed this past season. In fact, I don’t see the scheme, or terminology, changing much at all — just additions brought to what the Duck are already doing.
TE Power Read
The first addition that I want to take a look at is the TE Power Read. It’s a neat play that would have actually been really useful when Bo Nix was injured towards the end of the year. It’s a play that will allow the Ducks to keep the option run game a part of the offense without having to depend on the quarterback as one of the options. Even when the QB is healthy, this variation of the Power Read/Inverted Veer adds an extra element for defenses to worry about: you never know where the ball is going to end up in this offense.
The blocking scheme for this play is the exact same as the traditional Power Read. Because the example we’re going to look at is run from 12-personnel (1RB, 2TE), the playside tight end kicks out the playside edge defender. The front side of the offensive line will all down block, while the backside guard pulls through the playside C-gap (between the TE and OT). The backside tackle pass sets unless there is an immediate threat inside.
The interior playside defensive lineman is left unblocked and read by the QB at the snap of the ball. Should the DL stay put too long or rush the QB, the running back gets the ball and runs behind the blocks of the wide receivers. This is known as Bash. If the DL widens for the RB, the QB pitches inside to the TE following the pulling guard.
In the clip above, the QB gets the “pull”/pitch read and tosses the ball to the TE for a first down on a nice 11-yard gain.
The TE Power Read is just one play that Coach Stein is going to be able to add to the Oregon Ducks offense to keep opposing defenses on their toes. It’s a play that will be just as effective as an addition as it would be as a tool when the QB run game has been limited.
Coach Eric Boles
Newark, Ohio
Top Photo Credit: Eugene Johnson
Phil Anderson, the FishDuck.com Volunteer editor for this article, is a trial lawyer in Bend Oregon.
Eric resides in Central Ohio, just outside the capital city of Columbus. He is a former offensive assistant and return game coordinator for the Ohio State – Newark/Central Ohio Technical College Titans football program.
He is an OSU-N graduate, having completed a Bachelor of Arts program in psychology.