Western Kentucky Offensive strategy- Formation into the Boundary vs Michigan State

Western Kentucky Formation into the Boundary  

Western Kentucky had a prolific offense in 2021. One of their strength was using formation passing strength into the boundary. They have an easy system which is as follows.

If they get single coverage or cover 3 they will throw the ball to #1 on the fade or if the CB is off they will throw the ball to #1 on an out cut. 

Any cover 2/4  looks where there is help over #1, they will work the ball back to the boundary side which could be a  twins or trips formation.

If the coverage is 3 they also can throw the ball into the boundary attacking the seem in a few ways which I will get into in this article.

There first 7 times agains Michigan State they were 7 for 7 for 176 yards, averaging 25 yards per play. That's pretty impressive. That's 100% completion rate. 

Vs Michigan State

1st and 10        10 personnel

3x1 into the boundary                    Michigan State goes cover 3 into the boundary with the sam LB over

Route Concept: 4 verts 

Result: Hit #2 wr for a 23 yard gain.

On the same drive they run the same formation.

1st and 10.     10 personnel

3x1 trips into the boundary     Michigan State goes cover 3 again into the boundary, sam LB over

Route concept: Fake quick screen #3 vertical after he fakes blocking

Result: Hit #2 for a 22 yard gain.

1st and 10

11 personnel      twins to the boundary and tight, flank to the field

coverage: They get cover 3 with a press CB  and this gives them a  favorable matchup on the outside to the field.

They run a fade on the outside to #1 on the tight end side. The #1 wr has plenty of room to operate.

Result: 51 yard gain

2nd and 10

twins to the boundary , TE and flanker to the field

They get cover 3 with a soft corner.

Route Concept: #1 now runs a deep out cut based on the coverage.

Result: 12 yard gain

1st and 10

Twins to the boundary and tight end flank to the field

Michigan State goes cover 1with the sam playing to the boundary and strong side safety coming down. No help over the top for the DB as he is in 1x1.

result: They complete the fade to #1 for a 34 yard game

They blitz the sam and play man free. The Mike not blitzing has the RB. 

2nd and 3

Now Michigan State decides to go cover 2

That tells the QB he can't work the 1 wr side and work the trips side. They get cover 2 and the #3 WR runs a nice shallow slant because the mike goes so deep. Looks like 4 verts but the WR breaks under the mike because of the deep drop. 

Result: 18 yard gain

Nice play designs by Western Kentucky. They were successful for 7 of 7 in the first half. Excellent play design by the W Kentucky coaching staff.