01 January 2005

His One True Love

Lynch+endzone = OTP!!!!

Check out this from last year's Big Game: 3rd quarter, 2nd and 3 from the Stanfurd 45, Cal is up by two scores. Offset I on the far hashmarks, loaded to the short side: the tight end Rust to the right, McArthur split wide right and Toler in the slot; Lynch is the running back and Manderino is the offset (right, of course).

Lynch takes the handoff from Rodgers, and starts over right (loaded) guard. He makes it back to the line of scrimmage, then pulls away from the linebacker (and two down linemen) who got good penetration and tried to wrap him up. He scoots to the left, over tackle and downfield. He pulls away from a couple of chasing lineman and jukes a safety. Then Rodgers, the quarterback who has now run 20 yards downfield, gives a little push against the corner (and knocks him flat on his back) to spring Lynch. Lynch cuts back right, and crosses the last 30 yards at a slant, with Toler and McArthur pushing back against the other corner and providing a convoy. And Lynch is at the 10, 5, TOUCHDOWN CALIFORNIA!

I love that play; I think my favorite part is Rodgers throwing blocks (although the touchdown is nice too).