Inside North Texas' 31 Personnel Sequencing Near the Goal Line

North Texas has cooked up an interesting 31 personnel package for their low red zone and goal line offense. At its core, the concept they rely on is what I call “Kick,” a downhill, gap-style run that attacks the edge. What makes this package stand out isn’t just the play itself. It’s the variety of ways they dress it up. The sequencing is smart, the motions are intentional, and the results speak for themselves.

What is Kick?

Kick is a down action one direction with two players working opposite to kick out the edge defenders. The idea is to create a lane underneath for the back to bend it back. Everyone has their own name for it, but for the sake of clarity, we’ll call it Kick here. One wrinkle North Texas adds is a slight shift from pistol. Before the snap, the running back will “jump” to one side, which helps set the timing and leverage for the play.

On this rep, the play side fullback does a great job slipping underneath a squeezing defensive end and getting the kick. The opposite fullback wraps and kicks the next outside threat. It’s clean, physical, and exactly how you draw it up on the board.

Here’s another look at same-side Kick. It’s the same concept, just repped again to build consistency and stress the defense.

This time, North Texas runs Kick across the formation. The play side fullback doesn’t land the kick clean, which forces the backside fullback to finish the block. The result is a bit muddy, and the timing feels off. Still, it shows how they’re willing to run the same concept from different surfaces and spacing.

Here’s another example of Kick run across the formation. The timing is tighter on this rep, and the blocks are better fitted. The back gets downhill with more intent, and the structure of the play holds up.

North Texas also decides to read it on Kick across the formation. Here they leave the backside edge player unblocked, read him, and the Quarterback pulls it and walks into the end zone. Great play design off of their standard goal line runs.

This time, North Texas makes it look and feel like Kick, but goes play action instead. Both fullbacks slip out into the flat, and it turns into what should be an easy score. It’s a perfect constraint play off their base look and another example of how they layer concepts in the low red zone.

North Texas does a great job building a short-yardage identity without being predictable. Their 31 personnel package is built around one core idea: Kick. But they find ways to dress it up, adjust the presentation, and layer in answers. Whether it’s formation, motion, a read tag, or play action, they keep the defense guessing without straying from who they are. That kind of sequencing is what wins on the goal line.