Blue and Gold Illustrated

CHALK TALK BRYAN DRISKELL quarterback runs. This allows the coaches to ensure that Reynolds can get more touches, preventing teams from taking him out of the game with how they defend the option. With Reynolds at quarterback, Navy will still run the pure triple option, but not as often as Georgia Tech. This makes Navy a more between‑ the‑tackles oriented ground attack, while Georgia Tech likes to get to the perimeter with greater frequency. When facing Navy, defenses will see more two‑man option plays where ei‑ ther Reynolds or the fullback will keep the ball. The slot backs are used either as lead blockers or decoys in those in‑ stances. Reynolds is very good at car‑ rying out his fakes on handoffs, which makes it harder to key on the fullback, more so than when facing Georgia Tech. MORE UNBALANCED FORMATIONS Defenses have to be prepared for more unbalanced formations against Navy, with the Midshipmen looking to create more space between defensive linemen up front, to create better angles for blockers and to create a numbers advantage. The design is to have more room be‑ tween the tackles for Reynolds and the fullback to work. It also means there is more room in the box that the lineback‑ ers have to defend, making it harder for them to attack the perimeter, which was a huge success for Notre Dame against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets use unbalanced formations, but it is often with a slot back, which is usually a player that weighs 200 pounds or less. When Navy goes unbalanced it uses an offensive lineman that is more effective work‑ ing in space against linebackers. It also gives Navy a bigger player on the out‑ side of the line, making it easier to seal the edge when it runs the toss play, which is a favorite play of the offense. DIFFERENT PASSING ATTACK One area where Georgia Tech has had a distinct advantage over Navy the last two seasons is when it throws the football. Thomas is a far more natural passer than Reynolds. In 36 starts, Reynolds has passed for 2,048 yards and 24 touchdowns. In just 18 starts, Thomas has passed for 2,134 yards and 24 touchdowns. Navy does have a more dynamic pe‑ rimeter receiver this season in junior Jamir Tillman, who is similar to the two standout wideouts Georgia Tech had in 2014. When Navy does pass it is almost always off a play‑action look, while Georgia Tech will drop back and sprint out. This limits Navy's options if the run game is not working, but when the ground attack is going strong it cre‑ ates big‑play opportunities in the pass game. Discipline with assignment, attack‑ ing the backfield, forcing quick deci‑ sions and tackling well in space will be important principles for the Irish defense against the Midshipmen. ✦ Bryan Driskell has been a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated since April 2015. He can be reached at bdriskell@blueandgold.com.

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