How Old Dominion Is Rewriting the Run Game
Old Dominion did a fantastic job mixing up run looks and creating interesting, and at times wild, variations in the run game, especially once the quarterback became part of the equation. ODU finished seventh nationally in rushing offense, and it is not hard to see why when you turn on the tape. This might be the most creative rushing attack in college football.
In this article, we will take a look at a few of their run schemes that made us rewind the film and say, “Alright, that is different.”
Inside Zone Peek (Blindside)
Inside Zone Peek, or the blindside read, is not new. It is just rare. Most of us only see it in the low red zone when space is condensed and the defense is overplaying traditional zone read rules.
The first time I remember really noticing it was with Jordan Travis and Florida State Seminoles versus LSU Tigers in 2023. At the time, I thought it was just a great play by an athletic quarterback making something happen. It was not. It was a designed read, and I was wrong.
In 2025, Old Dominion ran this variation of zone read more than 20 times. That tells you it is not a gimmick. It is a tool.
Defensive players are taught their option rules based on back alignment, especially from the gun. If the back is offset to you, you expect to be in the read picture. If he is away from you, you think you are fitting the run.
ODU flips that rule.
They align the back same side and then add the blind read, putting the read key on a defender who does not even think there is a chance he is involved in the option. The offense changes the math without changing the picture. That is what makes it dangerous.
Here, Virginia Tech Hokies brings pressure. The defensive end does exactly what he has been coached to do. He slows down, comes to balance, and prepares to be the force player.
On paper, he is right.
The problem is he does not realize he is being read. The quarterback is peeking him from the blindside, over his shoulder. From the end’s perspective, the back alignment tells him he is not in the option picture. So he plays it like standard zone, squeezes, and settles.
By the time he understands the quarterback kept it, he is late. He is flat-footed. He has no angle.
That is the stress of the blindside read. The defense thinks it is fitting run. The offense knows it is playing option.
