Analyzing Virginia Tech's Packaged Screens Against Boston College

"We had a good scripted first drive," offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler said after Tech's 31-33 loss to Boston College. "We were overloaded in the box and we kicked some non-verbals out and completed balls we need more of that."

"There are times that we throw out a bubble and its a run play called and it turns into passing yards, when really thats an extension of the run game," receivers coach Aaron Moorehead said a few weeks ago.

During my re-watch of the Boston College game I counted 21 Tech offensive plays that featured screen action. I'm not in the huddle, the meeting rooms or the booth seated next to the coaches. However, based on the quotes above, and from watching Tech's "screens" all season, I can only conclude these are "packaged plays". That is to say, a run play with the option for the quarterback to throw a screen.

This play is probably called something like "Inside Zone Read Bubble". It's an inside zone read run packaged together with a bubble screen. Defensive end Kevin Kavalec (No. 93) is the unblocked option man.

Before the snap there are 6 Boston College defenders inside the box, and a seventh (No. 5) that's more than likely a run-first defender. More importantly, Tech has 3 receivers to the top of the screen and BC has just 2 defenders in coverage within 5-6 yards.

Michael Brewer can do one of three things on this play:

1. If Kavalec crashes Brewer can pull the ball and run for what he can;
2. If Kavalec stays wide Brewer can hand off to Sam Rogers;
3. Brewer can throw a bubble screen to Isaiah Ford.

Given Tech's 3-2 advantage to the top of the screen, recent struggles running the ball and Boston College's bigger defensive front, Brewer probably made the decision to throw the screen before the snap. Although the defense doesn't know any better. It's a 4-yard gain, maybe more if Stanford throws a better block, but it took advantage of a matchup and kept the Hokies on schedule.

I know all of the "screens" are evoking the ire of Hokie Nation, but they don't bother me because the option to run is there. Marshawn Williams' touchdown run was an inside zone seemingly packaged with a bubble screen. However, this time there are just 6 defenders in the box, and Tech's at even numbers at the top of screen.

Pay attention to Byrn. He steps back like he expects the ball and Stanford looks to block. Even if it's a predetermined run, the Boston College defenders across from Willie and Josh are frozen. (And if you missed the pancakes Jonathan McLaughlin and Augie Conte served up, rewind the play.)

The next play is an outside zone read with a bubble screen.

Boston College is lined up in a 6-man, 30-front and a seventh defender pops into the box late. Tech has a 2-1 advantage to the bottom of screen. Brewer flings the ball to Cam Phillips, who makes the BC safety miss one-on-one, and gains 5 yards.

On the very next play, that safety Phillips made miss is cheated up closer to him. It's a 6-man box so Tech goes run and Sam Rogers picks up 5 yards and the first down.

Again, note the screen developing at the bottom of the screen. Phillips cracks the defensive back and Hodges sets up to receive the ball.

Last one. Tech's got a 2-1 advantage to the bottom of the screen and there a six Boston College defenders in the box.

This is a defensive look a good running team might pound the ball against, but instead Tech (an average at best running team) takes its chances with Bucky Hodges in space. It's a 9-yard again.

The effectiveness of plays packaged with screens / had screen action varied. Passes averaged 2.55 yards (4 , 0, 4, 5, 9, 6, 0, 1, 1, -2, 0), runs averaged 2.8 (8, 1, 5, -2, 3, 0, 5, 3, 4, 1).

There's no substitute for a smash-mouth running attack, but Scot Loeffler is trying to find a rhythmic way to keep his offense ahead of the sticks and control the clock. Again this season, this time due to injuries, Loeffler is in a position where he doesn't have a lot of options at tailback. The offensive line took a step forward last season, but hasn't this one. Furthermore, Michael Brewer cannot take the pounding Logan Thomas did, so inverted veer is an afterthought. He does, however, have Ford, Phillips and Hodges, freshman playmakers that he's using to compliment the ground game.