Penn State continued to call this play, at times running it towards the side of the back with the running back on counter footwork. This play is known as Dart-Cutback. The counter footwork by the Running Back works to hold the Linebackers while the Offensive Line works to them.

The Y-off alignment assists in keeping the Defensive End from penetrating from where the pulling Tackle's side.

To keep players out of the alley and the box number even, Moorhead turned to RPOs (Run-Pass Options) out of the Dart play.

On the following play, the Quarterback is reading the Mike linebacker which is apexed between the Right Tackle and the #3 Wide Receiver. The Linebacker commits to the run so the Quarterback pulls the ball and throws the smoke screen to the Wide Receiver:

On the Dart play below the Quarterback is reading the Sam linebacker who is flexed in between the Tight End and the #2 Wide Receiver. If the Sam commits to the run, the Quarterback will pull the ball and throw the out route to the #2 Wide Receiver in the trips set:

Power-Read

Since Urban Meyer's arrival to Columbus in 2012, Ohio State has ran the Power-Read play as a staple of their offense. While studying Joe Moorhead's offense it was apparent that the Nittany Lions value this play just as much. The Power-Read play is blocked like power up front with the frontside Defensive End being left unblocked as the Quarterback reads the defensive end for a "give" or "pull" read.

Penn State chooses to block the play solid with the backside guard pulling around to kick-out the defensive end while the quarterback reads the Will linebacker for a "give" or "pull" read. If the Will flows towards the sweep, the Quarterback will pull the ball and run the power play. If the Will linebacker stays inside the box, the Quarterback will give the sweep to the Running Back.

Prior to running Power-Read out of Trey, Moorhead dialed up a Power-Read RPO (Run-Pass Option) in which the Quarterback was reading the Mike linebacker. When Penn State lined up in a Trey set with the tight end flexed out wide as #3 in the trips set, the Mike linebacker is responsible for carrying #3 vertical but was also the force player against the run.

If the Mike linebacker carries the vertical route by the Tight End, the Quarterback would give the sweep play to the Running Back. However if the Mike linebacker commits to the run, the Quarterback would pull the ball and throw the seam route to the Tight End. On the following play the Mike linebacker, Raekwon McMillan, commits to defending the Power-Read run so the Quarterback pulls the ball and throws the seam route to the Tight End:

Play-Action Passing Game

In 2016 under Joe Moorhead, Penn State's offense was reliant on explosive plays, especially through play-action. The Nittany Lions mostly used play-action passes with 7-man protections and 3-man route concepts and Moorhead was most likely to dial up a play-pass in between the 40-yard lines and coming off of a first down such as the play below.

Against Michigan State, Moorhead dialed up a 7-man protection Split-Zone play-action coming off of a first down using tempo. Michigan State is playing their quarters defense, meaning the corners and safeties are responsible for playing #1 and #2 vertical.

Another popular 3-man play-action passing concept this year under Joe Moorhead was the 3-vertical routes off of Split-Zone action. The #2 Wide Receiver will run a seam-read route with both outside Wide Receivers running comeback-read routes. If the Cornerback is playing over the top of the Wide Receiver, they will cut their route off at 12-15 yards and run a comeback route towards the sidelines.

Once the tight end goes across the formation on a wham block on the play-action, the free safety follows the tight end opening up the middle of the field for a one-on-one with the wide receiver and corner. The corner route by the 'H' receiver keeps the strong safety from helping the corner in the middle of the field due to his responsibility to play #2 vertical.

The wide receiver does a great job of releasing on an inside stem to create leverage against the corner. The receiver runs directly at the corner's feet creating a tough match-up for him as the wideout has leverage to run a corner route or a deep post (as pictured below). The quarterback throws a great ball to the vacated middle of the field allowing his receiver to run to the open space.

Below is an example where Penn State ran a Split-Zone play-action pass where the boundary corner was playing over the top of the receiver, so he cut his route off and ran a comeback towards the sideline instead.

This is another example versus Pittsburgh in which the wide receiver beats the corner, so he continues on the fade route as the quarterback throws the ball up to give his receiver a chance to go get it.

Last season Penn State struggled to move the ball early in games but often found their rhythm late. With the addition of Joe Moorhead as offensive coordinator, Penn State returned to national relevance.

The game of football is ultimately a player's game but the coaches are responsible for putting the players in position to have success.

This is Zach Dunn's first contribution as a member of 11W's Film Study team. You can follow him at @ZachSDunn.