Will Stein has introduced a new Power Formation for the Oregon Ducks when they played against UCLA last season. The old jumbo formation may be on it’s way out because the Ducks just don’t have the extra experienced offensive linemen to trot onto the field. But this new formation makes use of a different personnel package, and when deployed against the Bruins–it got the job done. Even Mr. FishDuck took a break from his fun at Legiano casino to marvel at what this new formation achieved against UCLA.
The formation is a variation on the Pistol where the quarterback is behind center at the distance of a typical shotgun snap but with the running back directly inline behind him. However, unlike the a typical Pistol formation, this one includes two fullbacks as forward run blockers.
(Screenshot From Fox Sports Video)
Though what is most interesting is the personnel choice for the two full back blockers; Ameri Washington, a defensive lineman, and Zach Grace, a backup tight end. However, their role isn’t the only strange personnel grouping going on but the offensive line itself is reshuffled. As on the right side of the formation Stein has put both of his starting tackles, Ajani Cornelius (starting right tackle), and Josh Connerly(starting left tackle).
Screenshot from Fox Sports Video
Upon the ball being snapped the two tackles, Cornelius and Connerly, engage in a double team of the defending lineman positioned in the B-Gap nearest Cornelius. Together they push that lineman inside and then Connerly disengages from the double team, and leaves the defender to Cornelius (red arrow above).
Connerly (green dotted-arrow above) is now free to engage with the second level of the UCLA defense.
While this is happening, Washington (No. 52 and the Big green arrow above) engaged with the edge rusher of the defense. This block opens up an inside lane between Washington and Cornelius.
This is where Grace comes in as the second full back (dotted-orange arrow). He goes into the rushing lane and engages one of the second level defenders of the defense, the other being blocked by Connerly. In this case Grace doesn’t fully engage in a block with the UCLA player the arrow is pointing at above, but rather creates a barrier forcing him to go around.
Behind Grace comes Jordan James out of the Pistol formation, and running hard down-hill into the gap. There is still one unblocked defender for UCLA, and Grace’s body block of one defender forces that defender around him, who misses an arm tackle on James. Instead Grace blocks the UCLA safety, and former Duck Bryan Addison.
James cruises in for the touchdown.
This play has so much going on in it that I have only focused on the right side of the line of scrimmage, the play side. The left side has some interesting personnel choices as well and I personally can’t wait to see what OC Will Stein has in store for us in 2025.
David Marsh
Portland, Oregon
Top Photo By Eric Becker
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David Marsh is a high school social studies teacher in Portland, Oregon. As a teacher he is known for telling puns to his students who sometimes laugh out of sympathy, and being both eccentric about history and the Ducks.
David graduated from the University of Oregon in 2012 with Majors in: Medieval Studies, Religious Studies, and Geography. David began following Ducks Football after being in a car accident in 2012; finding football something new and exciting to learn about during this difficult time in his life. Now, he cannot see life without Oregon football.