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The object of this post is simple. First, I'm hoping you'll read it and immediately follow former Minnesota Gophers lineman Derek Burns on Twitter (@Derek_S_Burns). Why? After every Gophers game (that I can remember for some time at least) Derek breaks down formations, plays, and concepts that the Gophers used in that game. It's always interesting and enlightening and I really appreciate how he takes the time to share his thoughts, experience, and knowledge with Gopher fans. I try to retweet every one of the "Twitter Class" nuggets he shares, but I was AWOL during his presentation this week. Which got me thinking about the second reason...I know not everyone is on Twitter and I didn't want non Twitter Gophers fans to miss out on Derek's insights.
With Derek's permission, I'm republishing this past Sunday's series of tweets below (thanks for that Derek!). If you're like me, you'll learn a couple of new things and be given plenty to watch for in future games. Be sure to direct questions to Derek on Twitter (@Derek_S_Burns), or if you're not a Twitter person, put them into the comments where he can see them/where I can toss them his way. Enjoy!
Class is in session.
A few play recaps & some comments about the #gophers vs #CSU game yesterday:
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Talking jet sweep (or lack thereof):
#Gophers didn't run jet sweep at all and here's why. Watch safeties react to Maye motion on the fake jet sweep pic.twitter.com/AUNrmuqEVj
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#CSU brings up a safety to stop jet sweep and the opposite safety bails to play coverage. pic.twitter.com/aUIPVJTm9C
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#Gophers have the right play called & Streveler ends up w nice gain. #Gophers used this play w success last year too pic.twitter.com/AJejJ1adqA
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
If Bjorklund doesn't whiff on the LB Streveler is untouched to the Safety pic.twitter.com/JReUscMHk2
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
On OL pass blocking:
3rd & 6 in 1st quarter and #Gophers will struggle w man pass blocking. Pirsig & Christensen have the DT & DE pic.twitter.com/mFpzal9CSi
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#CSU runs a T-E stunt w DE coming around. Pirsig bumps Christensen who should trade off to DE but he stays on the DT pic.twitter.com/o5ax4oSHBw
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
DE ends up with a free shot on the QB. pic.twitter.com/Nwv5A3D3lH
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Leidner has to shorten his throwing motion and the pass is off. pic.twitter.com/vvZDX5xBbc
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
The power of defensive line pressure:
#Gophers d-line got outstanding push most of the game. #CSU will run power here on 2nd & 9 pic.twitter.com/IFB731h7fH
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
By the time the ball is handed off 3 of the #gophers d-line are 3 yards deep, disrupting the guard pull & RB cut. pic.twitter.com/lE0gipIZHM
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Play results in a TFL & fumble. pic.twitter.com/C5QpL0FnPv
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
The defense that will hopefully create a Piesman nominee:
#Gophers have had a lot of success defending 3-step passes by blitzing LBs and dropping a DE. Here Ekpe will drop pic.twitter.com/OdVNUejCat
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Ekpe sees the RB release to the flat and makes a great read on the QB pic.twitter.com/GEKwiNLmu5
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Pass is deflected incomplete. pic.twitter.com/94rAUpDzzs
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
These boots might be made for wheeling?
#Gophers run a nice PA boot on 3rd down to pick up a first. Surprised #Gophers didn't come back to this more pic.twitter.com/t3HYQ9obI0
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Lingen picks up the first but wondering if #Gophers have a RB wheel route off this play? pic.twitter.com/7MtZJnxGT2
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Rodney Smith has skills:
Here #Gophers run zone read for nice gain. It's rare to see such a young RB be able to make a playside cut like this pic.twitter.com/PC8vZYUvSW
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Normally RBs will keep cutting back (red). Smith cuts back and then playside (yellow). pic.twitter.com/QtHYINhFfm
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Picks up a nice game. If he doesn't bump into Pirsig, this is a huge gain IMO. pic.twitter.com/ZppE0E6QeS
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
More from Rodney:
On inside zone a RB is taught to read first down lineman past center & work back. Here it is the nose tackle. pic.twitter.com/TvcWIsL8C2
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Here Bobek gets the nose tackle reached so Smith knows to take it frontside. pic.twitter.com/NtS6zAjsxc
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Nice read Smith & because the ILBs are playing shallow he is able to get an angle for a big gain. pic.twitter.com/yq9C0BPxoZ
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Has anyone mentioned that Steven Richardson is a beast?
3rd & 8, the #gophers will only rush 3 but incredible bull rush by Richardson will end up in a sack. pic.twitter.com/sOrnApcnUh
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#CSU is in slide protection and Richardson rushes the center's backside shoulder to get a great push. pic.twitter.com/nmRXJYblCQ
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Ends in a sack. pic.twitter.com/7cbJd2U9ZZ
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Closing thoughts:
Some comments: #CSU played mostly tight man coverage on 1st/2nd downs, zone on 3rd. Allowing them to focus on stopping run between tackles
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Leidner struggled more vs tight man w last td being exception. Had more success vs zone.
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#Gophers d-line played outstanding vs both run and pass. Incredible push, good lateral adjustments, made plays.
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
#Gophers LBs struggled reading #CSU isolation run cutbacks early but OLBs and secondary adjusted as game went on
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015
Lastly, #Gophers secondary played great, just a couple busts in 2nd half. Owned #CSU WRs for most part, especially in man cov downfield
— Derek Burns (@Derek_S_Burns) September 14, 2015