Why This ASU Counter Variation Is Worth Stealing

Arizona State quietly turned heads in 2024, and a big part of that surprise run was their creativity on offense, especially in the run game. One play stood out on film: a unique counter variation out of pistol that they leaned on throughout the season. The core of the concept is traditional, guard and tight end pulling on counter, but the twist comes with the quarterback’s action. Before the handoff, the QB pump fakes a now screen to the perimeter, then pivots back and delivers the ball on the counter. It’s a simple window dressing that forces second-level defenders to hesitate, and that’s all the offense needs.

In the clip, the counter-side interior linebacker for Kansas widens immediately off the screen fake. That displacement makes life easier for the tight end, who kicks the linebacker after the guard logs the defensive end. On the other side, the interior backer initially steps with the back’s weak-side track. That false step gives the play side tackle a favorable angle to climb and engage. Even though he has the advantage the linebacker does a great job getting back overtop, but it’s not enough and the offensive tackle gets just enough to spring the back into the third level.

Arizona State comes back to the same look later in the game, and this time both interior linebackers overrun the counter action. That opens a clean window for the back to slice it straight up the hash for another chunk gain. The key detail here: the tight end reads the guard perfectly. Instead getting too wide, he climbs and picks off the first threat inside, this time the backside 3-tech. He gets just enough, the back sees it, hits it vertical, and it’s another explosive run.

In the final clip, Arizona State runs this counter variation against an odd front. The play side end spikes inside and gets washed down by the tackle’s down block. The Mike and Will both scrape hard over the top. The pulling guard shows great patience, kicking the Mike, while the play-side guard helps on the nose before climbing to the Will. If the tight end hugged tighter and got vertical, he might’ve been able to account for the safety who ultimately makes the tackle, but that’s a big ask for a player not often pulling in gap schemes. Still, it's a solid 8-9 yard gain, and the design keeps producing.

Arizona State didn’t reinvent counter, but they dressed it up just enough to create hesitation, and that’s where the damage got done. The QB’s screen fake adds a layer that manipulates second-level defenders and gives the tight end better leverage. Whether it’s forcing linebackers to overrun, influencing safety fits, or setting up clean climb angles for OL, this variation shows how a small wrinkle can turn a staple into a chunk play. If you're looking for a way to add some eye candy to your gap scheme, this is a cheap and effective option.