Bye weeks always offer teams the opportunity to get healthy, and ASU will likely see that benefit this week, especially since we may see sophomore running back Demario Richard return to the field.
Held out last Saturday night against Utah, Richard dressed but did not play against the No. 4 team in the nation.
As a result, the ASU running game didn't perform well against Utah and was held to 15 yards the entire night.
Carries were split between power back Kalen Ballage and speed back D.J. Foster, without either being able to break any big gains.
Richard acts as a type of hybrid weapon who can be both a downhill power runner and a shifty speedster.
The ASU running game this year has only been effective using the zone stretch. The stretch limits the opposing defense's chances of stopping the play in the backfield.
Ballage doesn't have the speed to fit well in the stretch run game, and Foster is too small to break tackles off the edge.
ASU's next opponent, Oregon, has a defense that's shaped around the philosophy of their 3-4 Double Eagle, a modified version of the old 4-6 Bear used by Buddy Ryan and the 1985 Chicago Bears.
The fundamental part of the Bear is setting up man-on-man through the entire defensive front. Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum's modified version of 3-4 Double Eagle still has the basic fundamentals as its dated ancestor, but focuses on lining up the three down linemen man-on-man both the guards and center.
The nose tackle will play both A-gaps, lining up either head up on the center or shaded to the weak side while both defensive ends do not play directly on the guard, but rather a 4-inside technique, lining up directly in the B-gap.
The defensive line is playing typical Bear defense, but this does not change the linebacker responsibilities, with one filling the other A-gap while the other works toward the ball.
This allows for the ASU offensive line to have its blocking assignment directly in the position where offensive line coach Chris Thomsen and the offensive line want to attack. The opposing defense is at a 45-degree angle, perfect for the offensive line using its scoop step to hit that angle.
The zone stretch does not have one set hole for the running back to hit — depending on what combo blocks the play side tackle and center comboing the nose and play side defensive end hit and working their way to the middle linebackers — there are numerous holes and cutback lanes.
Now you see where a running back is able to out run the opposing linebackers and take on a tackler in the secondary comes into play.
Richard will be the focal point of the run game next Thursday, and his ability to run can open up the playbook for the passing game.
In the first half against Utah, ASU had 42 yards on the ground, and 11 of the 46 second-half plays were designed runs.
Without any threat from the backfield play, calling becomes predictable, and ASU has not been the passing juggernaut that it has in previous years.
With success in the ground game against Oregon, ASU could take advantage of the young Oregon secondary replacing three starters from last year and ranking 120 out of 128 in the nation at pass yards allowed per game.
The zone stretch run will be vital against an Oregon defense with its strength being the three big linemen in the center of the field.
ASU's success against Oregon centers around Richard's ability if he is healthy, and the ASU run game attacking the perimeter of Oregon's 3-4 Double Eagle.
Related Links:
ASU football opens bye week with renewed focus on fundamentals
D.J. Foster's last act with ASU football is a small supporting role
Reach the reporter at biggswcarroll@asu.edu or follow @Biggs_Carroll on Twitter
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