If any other Wing-T folks are here, please chime in on the scheme or series!
Here's the only video I found that has been uploaded so far: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eUMs4jXpJmE
Diagram of the play from the classic Wing-T formation
This is a classic play from the Wing-T offense: The Down Scheme. Also called "G" or "G" scheme by some more conventional offenses. Make no mistake though, this is pure Wing-T.
The Down scheme is a fast-hitting, strong-side (TE-side) fullback run and is the foundation of the Wing-T's Down Series. The series in general is the Wing-T series for feeding the fullback the ball to the strong-side of the formation (it's counterpart or weakside series is the Belly Series).
The defining feature is the play-side blocking scheme, where all blockers outside of the play-side guard block down, and the playside guard pulls and traps the DE. In the case of Tulane's TD here, the DE squeezed down to get inside the kick-out. The default adjustment is for the pulling guard to "log" or seal the DE inside, and the FB slides off/outside of the block.
The common rules of the play work like this (PS = play-side, BS = backside). WB = wing-back.
- PSWB: Down
- PSTE: Down
- PST: Down
- PSG: Pull and trap DE or 1st defender over/outside the TE
- C: Scoop
- BSG: Scoop
- BST: Scoop
- BSTE: Scoop or downfield safety
- BSWB: Trail motion, fake Down Sweep/Down Option. If in the backfield as a halfback or tailback, same rule, but no motion.
- FB: Side step playside and dive at the butt of the tackle. Follow inside the PSG to C-gap. If PSG logs (washes DE down) bounce out.
- QB: Reverse pivot and press ball into the belly of the FB. Give. Carry out Down Option/Down Sweep fake.
Wing-T series are predicated on using 2-4ish plays that look identical to create confusion and misdirection for the defense. The Down Series typically will contain these plays:
- Off-Tackle Run: Down (FB run)
- Outside Run: Down Option or Down Sweep
- A PA Pass: Down Pass (often some type of pocket pass or rollout to the action side).
The parts that always look the same:
- The PSG always pulls, and the playside of the line blocks down.
- The QB always reverse pivots out, meshes with the FB, then fakes the option or sweep.
- The backside RB (WB in this case) runs the sweep or pitch track.
Another way to dress this series up is to use the backside RB on jet motion, and instead of a down option or down sweep, use a jet sweep instead (Navy LOVES this series).
Here's another good example of the Down Scheme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8L1IIpostg
Same team running Down Sweep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvQjwCW0oak
Down Pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08e43S_VqKw
I'M SO HAPPY MORE TEAMS ARE RUNNING CLASSIC WING-T THIS YEAR! Below are other teams I've seen run this exact scheme this season:
- Northwestern
- Tulane
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force