Creative Quarterback Run Schemes from North Dakota State and South Dakota State

Oct 23, 2024

While many of us were tuned into Georgia's dominant performance, a true FCS classic was unfolding on Saturday between the North Dakota State Bison and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. These two powerhouses have combined for 11 of the last 13 FCS National Championships, showcasing the highest level of football in the division. In a defensive battle, both teams found creative ways to utilize quarterback runs, leveraging a plus-one advantage in the ground game. In this article, we’ll dive into the various quarterback run schemes deployed by the Bison and Jackrabbits.

Q Power Bash

The Jackrabbits leaned on the Q Power Bash several times against the Bison, with one particular rep standing out. Let’s break down two key instances where SDSU ran this scheme.

In this example, the Jackrabbits lined up in a 3-back "diamond" formation to execute Power Bash. Knowing that NDSU is a heavy squeeze team, SDSU capitalized on the defensive end's aggressive squeeze. The end got caught in the wash, allowing the guard to climb to the linebacker and the running back to reach the third level. The bash action drew the overhang defender's attention, freeing up the quarterback for a solid gain. A noteworthy wrinkle here is that SDSU brought in their backup quarterback for this set, while their starting quarterback executed the bash action.

The next time the Jackrabbits brought out this personnel, they once again ran Power Bash with the backup quarterback. This time, the Bison defensive end didn’t squeeze as aggressively, so the running back helped seal the end while the guard climbed to the linebacker, who overran the play and was easily kicked out. The receiver executed a strong crack block on the safety, and the overhang defender once again committed to the bash action. The result? A 66-yard touchdown run by the backup quarterback.

NDSU also ran Q Power Bash, but out of 12 personnel with jet motion as the bash element. Like the Bison, the Jackrabbits are a heavy squeeze team, reacting aggressively to the tackle's down block. Both tight ends arced to block for the bash, but with the defensive end squeezing hard, the quarterback opted to hand off. Unfortunately for NDSU, if the quarterback had kept the ball, they would have had everyone blocked through the second level. Instead, the Bison lost a yard on the play. Right read, but wrong result.

Q Power

Both teams incorporated Q Power into their game plan, but the Bison executed a more creative variation of the play.

The Jackrabbits lined up in an Empty YY set to run Q Power, facing a Bison defense with only five defenders in the box, using an over front and a linebacker aligned in a weak 10. However, the Bison sent a middle linebacker blitz, and the play-side guard failed to reach him in time, resulting in a tackle for loss. This was likely the perfect pressure call to counter the Jackrabbits' play.

The Bison added a clever wrinkle to their Q Power by having the quarterback ride the running back before allowing him to lead block. This design ensures the Bison can account for every defender on the play side. If the quarterback hadn’t nearly run into his lead blocker, the play could have resulted in an even bigger gain.

Q Pin & Pull

The Bison ran an intriguing variation of Pin & Pull—at least that’s what it appeared to be. (Correct me if I’m off on this!) Aligning in 12 personnel with the tight end flexed to the field, they used push motion with the running back while pulling the play-side tackle and the backside flexed tight end. The Bison ran this concept into the boundary, targeting the corner and boundary safety, which created problems for the Jackrabbits' defense. This was a well-designed play by the Bison.

The Jackrabbits ran a more traditional version of Q Pin & Pull, targeting the boundary with the nub tight end. As always, Pin & Pull into the boundary can be highly effective when executed properly, and this play was no exception.

Q Down G

The Jackrabbits ran what can best be described as a “Down G” run scheme. The play-side guard pulls to kick out the defensive end, while the running back leads on the linebacker. SDSU blocked everyone except the backside safety, who made an outstanding play, coming all the way across the field to limit the gain to 4 yards. This was a well-designed play that could have gone for a much bigger gain if not for the impressive effort by the Bison free safety.

Q Counter

The Jackrabbits executed an intriguing version of Q Counter, with the center and H-back pulling, and the running back leading the way for the quarterback. This design allows SDSU to get a blocker all the way to the play-side safety, which is often a recipe for success. The center did an excellent job logging the defensive end, allowing the H-back to pick up the overhang, springing the quarterback for a long run.

Q Counter Toss (Pass)

This play isn’t exactly a quarterback run, but it still builds off the concept. The Jackrabbits once again lined up with both quarterbacks in the backfield, running Q Counter with toss action, similar to the earlier bash plays. However, instead of being a read, it’s designed as a pass. The starting quarterback tossed it to the backup, who looked downfield but ultimately threw it away. While the play didn’t work, it demonstrates how the Jackrabbits used trick plays built off their earlier quarterback runs.

Zone and Zone Read Variations

The Bison mixed in several quarterback zone and zone read plays against the Jackrabbits. One creative variation was a zone arc, where the tight end and a receiver in jet motion worked to the second level to block for the quarterback on the pull. In another instance, the Bison motioned the outside receiver inward, only to send him back out to the flat on an arrow screen. The quarterback pumped the screen, then kept the ball and picked up the first down.

Conclusion

Both teams showcased a variety of quarterback runs throughout the game, including Q Power, Q Power Bash, Q Pin & Pull, Q Down G, Q Zone Read, Draw, Q Sneak, and Q Counter. Each team employed both traditional and creative variations of these schemes. Football is a numbers game, and in a matchup between two elite programs where yards are hard to come by, quarterback runs create that crucial plus-one advantage. In several instances, this approach helped convert key first downs or led to explosive touchdowns.

North Dakota State and South Dakota State have dominated the FCS for more than a decade, but because they play in the FCS, we rarely get to see these teams in action outside of Week 1 FBS matchups or the FCS playoffs. It was great to see this game featured on ESPN2, and hopefully, we’ll get more opportunities to watch these kinds of top-tier FCS matchups during the regular season and playoffs.