Tarleton State’s Run Game Stole the Show at West Point

I tried to put y’all on notice in our Week 0 breakdown, but let me channel my inner Paul Revere: The Texans are coming! Tarleton State rolled into West Point and pulled off a stunner against Army, leaning on a run game so creative it deserves its own highlight reel. Their playbook was a clinic in innovative run concepts, and I’m here to break it all down for you schemers out there. Let’s dive into the film and see how Tarleton State’s offensive line, quarterback wrinkles, and clever play designs turned the Black Knights’ defense into Swiss cheese.

Base aka Zone Lock

Let’s start with a play Tarleton State carried over from Week 0, a concept I’m calling “Base” (you might know it as “Zone Lock”). This play is all about the offensive tackles’ technique, and let me tell you, these guys are artists. Their pass sets are so clean they lure edge rushers upfield, leaving a gaping seam in the defense. Picture this: a blitzing safety vacates his spot, the tackle’s set creates a void, and boom a one cut run from the running back, and it’s a 50+ yard touchdown scamper. It’s simple, it’s beautiful, and it’s a testament to Tarleton’s O-line coaching. This play set the tone early and showed Army they were in for a long day.

Outside Zone with a QB Twist

Next up, let’s talk about Tarleton’s Outside Zone. This isn’t your grandpa’s stretch play. The offensive line does a fantastic job creating lateral movement, stretching the defensive front like a rubber band ready to snap. But the real spice? The quarterback. On this play, the QB reads the backside edge defender. After the handoff, he doesn’t just stand there; he sprints upfield and cuts off the end, neutralizing him and giving the running back a clean path. It’s a brilliant way to keep the QB involved without risking his health. This wrinkle had Army’s edge players second-guessing, and it opened up lanes all game long.

Long Trap: Downhill Power with a Side of Deception

Now we’re getting to the fun stuff. Tarleton State unleashed a concept that had me grinning ear to ear: Long Trap mixed with same-side power. If you love getting your running back downhill while keeping the backside defensive end or blitzers at bay, this is your jam. The Texans ran this play 14 times against Army, and every rep was a thing of beauty. The key? They use the QB to box out the edge pressure, creating a clean C-gap seam or letting the back break to the edge. It’s aggressive, it’s physical, and it’s a masterclass in using the QB as a decoy without exposing him to big hits. Army had no answer for this downhill attack.

TE Pop: The Late-Game Dagger

Just when you thought Tarleton was done, they flipped the script late in the game with a play I’m calling TE Pop (Tight End Pop Pass). They show Long Trap action with guard movement, running back crossing the QB’s face, play-action fake… and then wham, the tight end releases down the seam for an easy touchdown throw. This is next-level play-calling. By hammering Army with the run all game, Tarleton set up this perfect counterpunch. The Black Knights bit hard on the trap fake, and the TE was wide open for six. It’s the kind of play that makes you want to high-five your play-caller through the screen.

Pin & Pull: Tying It All Together

To cap it off, Tarleton State tied their run game together with a same-side Pin & Pull scheme. This play mirrors the Long Trap action but swaps in the play side tackle and guard pulling to the edge, working to the second level to seal off defenders. It’s a subtle tweak that keeps the defense off balance, forcing them to respect multiple run concepts from the same look. The result? Consistent positive yardage and a defense that’s constantly a step behind.

The Takeaway

Tarleton State didn’t just upset Army, they out schemed them. Their run game was a symphony of creative concepts, from Zone Lock’s tackle technique to Outside Zone’s QB wrinkle, Long Trap’s downhill power, TE Seam was a play-action dagger, and Pin & Pull’s versatile finish. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. If you’re a coach looking for fresh ideas to juice up your run game, pop in the Tarleton State tape. These Texans are cooking, and the rest of the FCS better take notice.

What’s your favorite run concept from this game? Drop it in the comments on X, and let’s talk ball! And if you want more breakdowns like this, keep it locked on the Board Drill for the best X’s and O’s in the game.