With the elusive Robby Ashford sidelined in the game far from home, the pregame mood seemed to shift. What might have felt like a “trap game” turned into anyone’s game. The Oregon State Beavers were seeking their first win, and with Deshawn Purdie making his first start in a Demon Deacon uniform, anxiety-filled Corvallis, Oregon. Deshawn Purdie took on the challenge and led the Deacs to an outstanding win.
Up to this point, the Demon Deacons have been riding with Robby Ashford, who has himself positioned comfortably as shown below.
Now, it’s time to pick up the pen, paper, and headset and think like a coordinator. Here is a detailed breakdown of Deshawn Purdie’s first start as a Wake Forest Demon Deacon.
Film Breakdown
The first thing I noticed immediately was the substitution from read option to play action. With Ashford under center, the Deacs would usually call a triple option with a bubble out wide if Ashford chose to pass. Instead of posing a running threat like Ashford, Purdie looks to throw the ball if the gap isn’t open for Claiborne to break free. Off a play action to Claiborne, Purdie takes his two-step and waits for Chris Barnes to beat his man and fake the lone safety for a wide-open dot in the endzone…