Ferris State’s Sticks, Snags, and Simple Answers for the Quarterback
Last week we broke down the Ferris State Power Read and how the Bulldogs use it as a core part of their spread option identity. This week we are staying in Big Rapids, but shifting our eyes to the pass tags that live inside their run game.
Ferris State is always going to be a run first outfit. Even when they call an RPO, they are looking to hand the ball if the picture is clean. But mixed into all that downhill violence are a few simple concepts that give the quarterback easy answers. They are not trying to out-cute anybody. They are just stressing the right defender and taking free access when it shows up.
Below are three staples Ferris State leans on. Each one fits neatly into their zone world and keeps the quarterback on rhythm.
Zone Stick
Ferris State begins in an empty look and shifts the running back into the backfield on the tight trips side. That shift is doing work before the ball is even snapped. It forces the defense to tip its structure and gives the quarterback a clear view of how the flat defender wants to handle the formation.
The tight end widens that defender, the stick settles clean, and the quarterback hits it on time. The receiver squeezes upfield for a touchdown. Simple ball. The formation does the heavy lifting and the route gives the quarterback a gift.
Zone Switch Stick
This might be the best blend of everything they want to be. It marries the stick from the first concept with the snag ideas coming next.
Ferris State again shows empty with trips into the boundary and a wing to the field. The running back begins as the outside receiver and motions into the backfield for zone. The motion forces the defense to bump and rotate, and that is where the picture gets muddy for the second level.
Into the boundary, the twins give a switch release. The outside receiver works inside on a stick and the inside receiver climbs on a go. The wing comes across the formation and becomes the outlet in the flat.
The nickel carries the outside receiver in man. The corner handles deep space. The box linebacker is late scraping over the top. The wing leaks out free for a chunk gain. That is classic Ferris State design. Stress the conflict player and keep the ball out of danger.
Zone Snag
The snag is an old reliable concept and Ferris State runs it with the same simplicity they use everywhere else.
The number one receiver works a short in breaking route with the freedom to break it back out against man. The number two receiver takes the top off on a corner. The number three receiver or running back heads straight to the flat.
In this example, Ferris State aligns in empty with a tight end attached. The running back shifts into the backfield, then the opposite receiver motions inside to become the flat route. The tight end owns the corner and the receiver handles the snag.
The flat defender hangs inside. The quarterback gives the ball. Even though it becomes a run, the design shows the window that would have been there if the read had declared differently.
Bonus Play - Zone Triple Option
There was no way to leave this one out. Pure artistry. Ferris State gets into their zone triple world and times up the pitch perfectly. It is everything they believe in. Create horizontal stress, force the conflict defender to be wrong, and let athletes play.
Ferris State continues to show why they are one of the best coached programs in college football. Their RPO menu is simple, efficient, and built to give the quarterback clear answers without slowing down their run first identity. From Zone Stick to Switch Stick to classic Snag, the Bulldogs stress conflict defenders, create free access throws, and keep everything tied to their zone world. Even their bonus triple option clip reminds you that this staff understands how to put defenders in a bind on every snap.
If you want more breakdowns like this, check out season 3 of the BoardDrill Podcast which launched this week, and make sure to visit boarddrill.com for weekly scheme deep dives built for high school coaches.