The coaching staff at Notre Dame has done a marvelous job under difficult circumstances this season. Offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers has had a specific challenge in teaching his highly sophisticated system to inexperienced quarterbacks since the loss of Arnaz Battle.
This option play involves precision timing in two contexts. QB Matt LoVecchio (10) begins by starting his FB Tom Lopienski (36) in motion to the right. This is done to allow him to arc block SS Troy Polamalu (43) without interfering with the pitch between LoVecchio and the pitchback, Tony Fisher (12).
Another key to the play is the route LoVecchio takes as he approaches the option man, DE Sultan Abdul-Malik (44). If he accelerates at Abdul-Malik's inside shoulder, forces him to commit to the quarterback by turning his shoulders inside, and tumbles the ball at the correct instant to Fisher, the Irish will move the chains. And believe me, there is nothing so soothing to freshman quarterbacks as first downs.
| |
|
