Dawson Scheme notes

[janneke99]

When watching film of his offense there is almost always an outlet guy involved in a play. A RB sneaking out in the flat or someone coming across the formation.

yes, outlet pass is the best term

 

[demcanes26]

Some crap? It's the scores of the games dude. I'm not posting some obscure stats and trying to dance my way into being right.

If your team only plays 14 games against good opponents and your team doesn't score more than 27 points in 10 out of those 14 games, you need me to write a thesis paper to explain why that's bad?



No, that's not how it usually goes with good coordinators. Yes, that's usually how it goes with bad ones.

Really? The Dolphins were 6th in total offense, and they lead the league in YPP when Tua was under center, and yet, the 49ers shut them down. If you actually believe that the Patriots, who broke the record for most points scored with Brady and Moss, were poorly coached, when they lost the Superbowl to the Giants, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[canadianhurricane]

Check this game out. If you just watch USMs offensive series, it's about 30mins of your time.

This is from Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi. That year, Dawson was the OC/QB coach.

This UTSA defense was led by Pete Golding (DC) and Marcus Davenport (DE, first round draft pick). Golding, statistically, had one of the best defenses in the nation at UTSA. That 2017 year was his last at UTSA, as Nick Saban scooped him up to lead Alabama's Defense the next season.

When I saw that Dawson-led offense matched up against, at the time, the hottest young DC in the nation, I figured it would be a fair way to evaluate Dawson. Both teams recruit around the same but UTSA had a first round DL that Dawson had to gameplan around. UTSA also had a CB that ended up getting drafted. So, Dawson had to account for Davenport, and trust me, he HAD to. Davenport, himself, causes 2 FF and kills 2 drives.

I obviously have no insight to Dawson's gameplan but, from what I saw, he kept UTSA on its toes by testing their edges, before throwing up the seem for a TD, on the opening drive. USM gained good yards making UTSA run sideline to sideline. Then, they p/a and hit the TE up the seem for a TD.

On the second series, they start with a slot reverse for a big gain, before the slot fumbles. I counted three times where USM started an offensive series with either a big gain (20 yards +) or a touchdown (twice). USM also had two drives where a USM player lost a fumble.

On one drive, USM came out on first down in a diamond formation (3 RBs and a QB in the backfield), ran a flea flicker, and hit the WR on a crossing route for a TD. It definitely caught UTSA by surprise.

In the first half, Davenport made himself know by blowing up read option and forcing a fumble. USM started either running away from Davenport, or making him the read on a read option, in an attempt to take him out of the play. USM ran bubble screens, slip screens and read options at Davenport all night. They wanted him thinking! To his credit, he showed up all game.

USM committed to the run in the first half. In the second half, they opened up and passed more. And, they caught UTSA by surprise passing on 1st downs in the second half.

In the second half, there were 2 drives in which USM scored on the first play, one more where they scored 3 plays into the drive.

Overall, I came away impressed with how USM dealt with a tough defense. They dictated how they wanted to play. USMs QB didn't force many throws either. He threw a beautiful fade for a TD, in the second half. I felt like USM wanted UTSA to 'crowd the box' before they decided to open it up and pass, which worked.

One thing I forgot to mention, on the first drive, there was something that stood out to me. USM runs an up-tempo and gets UTSA on its heels. Their RB (#25) has speed and is able to beat UTSA to the edges for back to back first downs. At this time, USM sneaks their pass catching TE/HB (#1) on the field, and gets him free, up the seem, for a TD. Unless UTSA had done some serious studying of personel, they would have caught on to the subtle difference. I have a hard time believing this wasn't schemed up by USM, to have their more athletic TE/HB heading up-field for the pass, after their blocking TE sucessfully drew the defense in. It was executed perfectly.

 

[ghost2]

Check this game out. If you just watch USMs offensive series, it's about 30mins of your time.

This is from Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi. That year, Dawson was the OC/QB coach.

This UTSA defense was led by Pete Golding (DC) and Marcus Davenport (DE, first round draft pick). Golding, statistically, had one of the best defenses in the nation at UTSA. That 2017 year was his last at UTSA, as Nick Saban scooped him up to lead Alabama's Defense the next season.

When I saw that Dawson-led offense matched up against, at the time, the hottest young DC in the nation, I figured it would be a fair way to evaluate Dawson. Both teams recruit around the same but UTSA had a first round DL that Dawson had to gameplan around. UTSA also had a CB that ended up getting drafted. So, Dawson had to account for Davenport, and trust me, he HAD to. Davenport, himself, causes 2 FF and kills 2 drives.

I obviously have no insight to Dawson's gameplan but, from what I saw, he kept UTSA on its toes by testing their edges, before throwing up the seem for a TD, on the opening drive. USM gained good yards making UTSA run sideline to sideline. Then, they p/a and hit the TE up the seem for a TD.

On the second series, they start with a slot reverse for a big gain, before the slot fumbles. I counted three times where USM started an offensive series with either a big gain (20 yards +) or a touchdown (twice). USM also had two drives where a USM player lost a fumble.

On one drive, USM came out on first down in a diamond formation (3 RBs and a QB in the backfield), ran a flea flicker, and hit the WR on a crossing route for a TD. It definitely caught UTSA by surprise.

In the first half, Davenport made himself know by blowing up read option and forcing a fumble. USM started either running away from Davenport, or making him the read on a read option, in an attempt to take him out of the play. USM ran bubble screens, slip screens and read options at Davenport all night. They wanted him thinking! To his credit, he showed up all game.

USM committed to the run in the first half. In the second half, they opened up and passed more. And, they caught UTSA by surprise passing on 1st downs in the second half.

In the second half, there were 2 drives in which USM scored on the first play, one more where they scored 3 plays into the drive.

Overall, I came away impressed with how USM dealt with a tough defense. They dictated how they wanted to play. USMs QB didn't force many throws either. He threw a beautiful fade for a TD, in the second half. I felt like USM wanted UTSA to 'crowd the box' before they decided to open it up and pass, which worked.

Great write-up. This is exactly what I was hoping for.

 

[JHallCanes]

Check this game out. If you just watch USMs offensive series, it's about 30mins of your time.

This is from Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi. That year, Dawson was the OC/QB coach.

This UTSA defense was led by Pete Golding (DC) and Marcus Davenport (DE, first round draft pick). Golding, statistically, had one of the best defenses in the nation at UTSA. That 2017 year was his last at UTSA, as Nick Saban scooped him up to lead Alabama's Defense the next season.

When I saw that Dawson-led offense matched up against, at the time, the hottest young DC in the nation, I figured it would be a fair way to evaluate Dawson. Both teams recruit around the same but UTSA had a first round DL that Dawson had to gameplan around. UTSA also had a CB that ended up getting drafted. So, Dawson had to account for Davenport, and trust me, he HAD to. Davenport, himself, causes 2 FF and kills 2 drives.

I obviously have no insight to Dawson's gameplan but, from what I saw, he kept UTSA on its toes by testing their edges, before throwing up the seem for a TD, on the opening drive. USM gained good yards making UTSA run sideline to sideline. Then, they p/a and hit the TE up the seem for a TD.

On the second series, they start with a slot reverse for a big gain, before the slot fumbles. I counted three times where USM started an offensive series with either a big gain (20 yards +) or a touchdown (twice). USM also had two drives where a USM player lost a fumble.

On one drive, USM came out on first down in a diamond formation (3 RBs and a QB in the backfield), ran a flea flicker, and hit the WR on a crossing route for a TD. It definitely caught UTSA by surprise.

In the first half, Davenport made himself know by blowing up read option and forcing a fumble. USM started either running away from Davenport, or making him the read on a read option, in an attempt to take him out of the play. USM ran bubble screens, slip screens and read options at Davenport all night. They wanted him thinking! To his credit, he showed up all game.

USM committed to the run in the first half. In the second half, they opened up and passed more. And, they caught UTSA by surprise passing on 1st downs in the second half.

In the second half, there were 2 drives in which USM scored on the first play, one more where they scored 3 plays into the drive.

Overall, I came away impressed with how USM dealt with a tough defense. They dictated how they wanted to play. USMs QB didn't force many throws either. He threw a beautiful fade for a TD, in the second half. I felt like USM wanted UTSA to 'crowd the box' before they decided to open it up and pass, which worked.

Thank you for this!

 

[423Hurricane]

Adding to the whole "needing a #1 WR" thing, what I've found so far in looking at Dawson's offense is that it creates more 1-on-1 opportunities than it does "wide open" guys. So the deep ball will definitely be there, but the WR is gonna have to come down with it and make a play. That's why we can't necessarily just plug anybody in and have them put up 1500 yards.

May have already been mentioned, but in D$’s podcast, Stevo said the slot receiver is the primary target. That being the case, we’re pretty well stocked at that position. Not saying we don’t need a typical #1 WR but it’s encouraging that Dawson uses that position a lot. Stevo also said he likes to use the TE’s of which we’re loaded.

 

[Lance Roffers]

Just out here waiting for @Lance Roffers breakdown.

He'll give us the #'s and film critique

Well that’s very kind of you to say. Thank you.

 

[canecrazy23]

I think that our RB room is pretty far ahead of Houston's last year and Dawson will almost certainly rely on them rather than TVD for rushing yards.

It's true. I'm a dullard. Science isn't supposed to be funny.

 

[canecrazy23]

Check this game out. If you just watch USMs offensive series, it's about 30mins of your time.

This is from Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi. That year, Dawson was the OC/QB coach.

This UTSA defense was led by Pete Golding (DC) and Marcus Davenport (DE, first round draft pick). Golding, statistically, had one of the best defenses in the nation at UTSA. That 2017 year was his last at UTSA, as Nick Saban scooped him up to lead Alabama's Defense the next season.

When I saw that Dawson-led offense matched up against, at the time, the hottest young DC in the nation, I figured it would be a fair way to evaluate Dawson. Both teams recruit around the same but UTSA had a first round DL that Dawson had to gameplan around. UTSA also had a CB that ended up getting drafted. So, Dawson had to account for Davenport, and trust me, he HAD to. Davenport, himself, causes 2 FF and kills 2 drives.

I obviously have no insight to Dawson's gameplan but, from what I saw, he kept UTSA on its toes by testing their edges, before throwing up the seem for a TD, on the opening drive. USM gained good yards making UTSA run sideline to sideline. Then, they p/a and hit the TE up the seem for a TD.

On the second series, they start with a slot reverse for a big gain, before the slot fumbles. I counted three times where USM started an offensive series with either a big gain (20 yards +) or a touchdown (twice). USM also had two drives where a USM player lost a fumble.

On one drive, USM came out on first down in a diamond formation (3 RBs and a QB in the backfield), ran a flea flicker, and hit the WR on a crossing route for a TD. It definitely caught UTSA by surprise.

In the first half, Davenport made himself know by blowing up read option and forcing a fumble. USM started either running away from Davenport, or making him the read on a read option, in an attempt to take him out of the play. USM ran bubble screens, slip screens and read options at Davenport all night. They wanted him thinking! To his credit, he showed up all game.

USM committed to the run in the first half. In the second half, they opened up and passed more. And, they caught UTSA by surprise passing on 1st downs in the second half.

In the second half, there were 2 drives in which USM scored on the first play, one more where they scored 3 plays into the drive.

Overall, I came away impressed with how USM dealt with a tough defense. They dictated how they wanted to play. USMs QB didn't force many throws either. He threw a beautiful fade for a TD, in the second half. I felt like USM wanted UTSA to 'crowd the box' before they decided to open it up and pass, which worked.

One thing I forgot to mention, on the first drive, there was something that stood out to me. USM runs an up-tempo and gets UTSA on its heels. Their RB (#25) has speed and is able to beat UTSA to the edges for back to back first downs. At this time, USM sneaks their pass catching TE/HB (#1) on the field, and gets him free, up the seem, for a TD. Unless UTSA had done some serious studying of personel, they would have caught on to the subtle difference. I have a hard time believing this wasn't schemed up by USM, to have their more athletic TE/HB heading up-field for the pass, after their blocking TE sucessfully drew the defense in. It was executed perfectly.

This is what @Cribby was saying. If you can't talk X's & O's about the guy don't just talk sh#t.

Great write-up.

 

[Hurracanes]

Adding to the whole "needing a #1 WR" thing, what I've found so far in looking at Dawson's offense is that it creates more 1-on-1 opportunities than it does "wide open" guys. So the deep ball will definitely be there, but the WR is gonna have to come down with it and make a play. That's why we can't necessarily just plug anybody in and have them put up 1500 yards.

This offense gives you wiggle room to not need that #1WR because the scheme allows everyone to eat.

@Cribby and @Pentagon Cane one of my concerns in this scheme is the zone blocking they used in Houston. The elite programs don’t normally run zone blocking, especially in the running game. Mario didn’t recruit kids who want to run this scheme, as well. Does this concern you guys? Do you think Mario and Mirabal make adjustments?

 

[canadianhurricane]

@Cribby and @Pentagon Cane one of my concerns in this scheme is the zone blocking they used in Houston. The elite programs don’t normally run zone blocking, especially in the running game. Mario didn’t recruit kids who want to run this scheme, as well. Does this concern you guys? Do you think Mario and Mirabal make adjustments?

If you look at Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi (where he was the OC from 2016-2018) he ran a man blocking scheme, to go with his air raid.

 

[ddann]

This offense gives you wiggle room to not need that #1WR because the scheme allows everyone to eat.

@Cribby and @Pentagon Cane one of my concerns in this scheme is the zone blocking they used in Houston. The elite programs don’t normally run zone blocking, especially in the running game. Mario didn’t recruit kids who want to run this scheme, as well. Does this concern you guys? Do you think Mario and Mirabal make adjustments?

Come on, man. You were on Grassy/Scout back in the day. You know as well as anyone that there’s no such thing as zone blocking.

 

[Hurracanes]

If you look at Dawson's time at University of Southern Mississippi (where he was the OC from 2016-2018) he ran a man blocking scheme, to go with his air raid.

I noticed that too but it’s difficult to say if that’s the HC influence or Dawson. I suspect we will see a little more if this than what we saw from Houston.

 

[Warrior808]

This offense gives you wiggle room to not need that #1WR because the scheme allows everyone to eat.

@Cribby and @Pentagon Cane one of my concerns in this scheme is the zone blocking they used in Houston. The elite programs don’t normally run zone blocking, especially in the running game. Mario didn’t recruit kids who want to run this scheme, as well. Does this concern you guys? Do you think Mario and Mirabal make adjustments?

This is what I am most interested in as well, marrying the Oline play to the scheme. You know Mario and Mirabal aing going full zone blocking so it will be really fun to watch them try to incorporate gap schemes and varied run plays into an Air Raid offense. I feel like thats what will make this system very good and potentially innovative or a disappointment if it doesnt blend.

 

[canadianhurricane]

I noticed that too but it’s difficult to say if that’s the HC influence or Dawson. I suspect we will see a little more if this than what we saw from Houston.

At USM, he coached under Jay Hopson, who is a defensive coach. At UH, he coached under Dana Holgorsen, who is offensive minded. I would assume that his offense at USM was his completely.

I can't tell, whether it's the HC influence or Dawson just not believing in his OL, why he seems to scheme between zone and man blocking. I'm sure Mario will have a say in this

 

[hurricaneman]

Really? The Dolphins were 6th in total offense, and they lead the league in YPP when Tua was under center, and yet, the 49ers shut them down. If you actually believe that the Patriots, who broke the record for most points scored with Brady and Moss, were poorly coached, when they lost the Superbowl to the Giants, I don't know what to tell you.

This year, Tennessee scored 46 ppg against top 50 defenses. They averaged 46 ppg for the season.

Don't tell me good coordinators can't score points on good defenses. If you want to win a NC that's what you need. For the 13 points they scored against Georgia they also scored 34, 44, and 52 against Pitt, Kentucky, and Bama (all top 25 defenses).

 

[TallyCaneFan]

Not sure if it was out of an RPO...But they did run poor Clayton Tune to death this year at Houston (some of this may have been Holgerson)

Tune is more mobile than TVD, but is not exactly Jalen Hurts.

Much more mobile than TVD with much quicker feet and escapability.

 

[st21wa]

Does anyone know if Dawson was the play caller for the 2012 West Virginia offense?

 

[Memnon]

Does anyone know if Dawson was the play caller for the 2012 West Virginia offense?

No, Holgorsen was.

 

[NorthEastCane]

This year, Tennessee scored 46 ppg against top 50 defenses. They averaged 46 ppg for the season.

Don't tell me good coordinators can't score points on good defenses. If you want to win a NC that's what you need. For the 13 points they scored against Georgia they also scored 34, 44, and 52 against Pitt, Kentucky, and Bama (all top 25 defenses).

You can against any defense … some of the time. But you’re not going to win a championship without a good ( preferably great) defense.

End of debate.