Washington’s run game dominant against Panthers
Breaking down how Washington was able to run the ball so well against the Panthers.
Washington’s running game was key to the team’s success against the Panthers. Running backs Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson combined for 164 yards on 33 carries, an average of 4.9 yards per carry. While Gibson had a couple of poor errors in his fumble and his failure to stay in bounds to keep the clock running late on, he still averaged five yards per carry and had 95 yards rushing in total. McKissic was even more impressive, taking his seven carries for 46 yards, a 6.6 yards per carry average.
For all the running backs to have had this success, the offensive line had to perform well. The backs deserve credit too, but the offensive line did a tremendous job opening up running lanes all game and the offensive staff lead by Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner and Offensive Line Coach John Matsko put together a terrific game plan to attack the Panthers. There was a clear plan to use the wide zone scheme running to the left side of the line.
On this play, Washington motions tight end John Bates from right to left before running a wide zone scheme to the left. Bates works on the edge defender, kicking him further outside. Left tackle Charles Leno combines with left guard Ereck Flowers to secure the defensive tackle before Leno peels off to pick up the linebacker. Center Tyler Larsen and right guard Brandon Scherff work to cut off the other defensive tackle. The front side of the run is blocked well, with Flowers taking advantage of the impact of Leon’s punch to the defensive tackle. That contact forces the defender to lose balance and Flowers finishes the block by falling on top of him. Leno then works up and kicks out the linebacker on the second level.
McKissic works to the edge and cuts back inside of Bates’ block. He works inside of Leon’s block on the linebacker too and then bursts into the open field on his way to a first down and more.
Washington found lots of success running small variations of the zone scheme to the left.
This time, Bates motions from left to right, putting him on the back side of the run. However, the core concept is still the same. Leno kicks out the defensive end this time while Flowers is the one punching inside to the defensive tackle before working to the linebacker. Wes Schweitzer replaced Larsen at center and does a great job reaching across the face of the defensive tackle to seal him off. McKissic works to the edge but spots a lane to cut his run back behind Schweitzer and Scherff, picking up eight yards before being brought down.
It wasn’t just McKissic running the zone scheme to the left well, Gibson had some hits running it too.
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