CHALK TALK BRYAN DRISKELL
with these pass concepts, Notre Dame's
pass game is still oriented to horizontal
stretch passes. These are routes that
require side-to-side reads by the quar-
terback and usually have a number of
different vertical routes.
Notre Dame will also have all three
wide receivers and the tight end run
vertical routes. A receiver will run up
the edge on both sides of the field, and
the other receivers will run vertical
routes between zones in the defensive
coverage.
The outside receivers will have an
option on this route. If the cornerback
covering the receiver bails at the snap,
the wideout can break his route off
around 15 yards downfield and work
back to the quarterback.
Kelly also likes to utilize play-action
passes in his offense. The routes often
remain the same, using either horizon-
tal or high-low plays. The quarterback
and running back will execute a hand-
off fake in the backfield in an attempt to
get the safeties and linebackers to come
down and defend the run game. ✦
Bryan Driskell has been a football
analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated
since April 2015. He can be reached
at bdriskell@blueandgold.com.
The read option with the quarterback tracking the movement of the defense is an important element of
the Notre Dame spread offense.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
