Play Of The (other) Day: Game-Sealing Y-Cross INT vs. Oregon

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Big 10 Championship. No. 1 team in the nation on the ropes, up 8, without the ball. 2^nd and 1, near midfield, Penn State comes out of the two-minute timeout…and does this?!?!

If any NFL scouts needed further convincing that Penn State QB 15- Drew Allar is a future, no-brainer Round 1 selection, the true junior provided it on a national stage against a Top 10 defense. However, when the game was over in Indy, all I saw scattered across the Interwebs was that this video above was a “bad call” or “Why would your play call be to  throw up a 50-50 ball  when we’ve had success in the intermediate?!”

See for yourself:

And here’s your explanation:

This comes down to the common coach-ism of ‘Process vs. Result.’ Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki called a base passing concept, one that Allar has executed COUNTLESS times in his collegiate career. And, on this rep, Allar’s pre & post snap process led him to throwing the “Go” ball.

Factoring in situational and personnel nuances, perhaps the process could’ve been better – but in my eyes this is a “we’ll live with it” result. Without further ado, let’s break down the entire play and you can come up with your own conclusions.

Based on the score and down and distance, Coach FTB Shane would coach his QB to think aggressively here (emphasis on 2nd & 1). Kotelnicki looks to his call sheet, likely the intermediate-drop back section, and sees this Y-Cross variation with double-chip protection (Dinkins/Singleton). Add on a 44-Tyler Warren short motion to ensure he gets a free release, and boom! We should be cooking with gas using this pure-progression (right to left) concept that our QB thrives in.

Let’s transfer to Allar’s POV.

As the D gets set, Allar first recognizes a 2-high shell. Based on the CB’s technique, Allar knows he is either getting a form of “Match Quarters” or “Cover-2 Man” – both pretty similar and work out the same way. Allar’s progression is as follows: 1) ‘Go’ to 6-Harrison Wallace. 2) Cross to Warren. 3) Dig to 5-Omari Evans. 4) Checkdown.

Now, the key that leads Allar to taking this shot is the Oregon field safety, 0-Tysheem Johnson. Allar keys the hashmark knowing that if Johnson is on or inside it at the snap, he cannot make the play. Because of this, Allar knows he has 1-on-1 downfield it if he wants it.

Press 1v1 with your best and arguably fastest WR?? What would you do? Personally, I think a QB with Allar’s arm strength is capable of a (semi) frozen-rope back shoulder – that’s what I would’ve liked to see. Instead, he leaves it a tad inside.  Obviously, the Sunday Morning QB in me wishes he moved on in the progression to our Mackey Award Nominee, who’s open on the Y-Cross. Above all else, Johnson made a HELL of a play – absolute teach tape press-man defense against a go ball. This will be shown in clinics this offseason.

Now, I did not scout Oregon all week, but if this CB has a pattern of making these types of plays… that would factor into the blame game. To conclude my personal thoughts: I like the play call – I understand why Allar threw the “Go” – I wish he threw a better ball – still, 95% of CBs don’t intercept this throw.