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LSU 1st Down Playcalling
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:07 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:07 am
Cole Cubelic was talking about LSU's OL the other day. His contention with why LSU struggled to gain yards in short yardage with the running game is because we didn't run the ball in normal situations like on a 1st and 10. The specific quote I remember was "Live the life you live" - don't throw it all the time and then all of the sudden ask your OL to get 3 yards of push against a stacked box on 3rd down.
I spent a couple hours yesterday charting LSU's 1st down play calls, including the quarter, the ballcarrier, and the result of the play. Unfortunately, I didn't save my excel file, so all that work I did yesterday is gone
However, I do remember a few noteworthy stats that I pulled together when I was done. Some of it is things we already know, but here they are:
- 44% of 1st down play calls were running plays.
- LSU gained 4.8 yards per run on 1st down.
- There were very few explosive plays. Maybe 15-20 for the entire season, while there were tons of explosives on 1st downs in the passing game. I would figure this is why Sloan would somewhat quit on the running game at times. Definitely began forcing it later in the season like against Vanderbilt, which resulted in some running game success.
- Passing game wasn't terribly efficient - only completed 60% of 1st down passes. Would think it would help the passing game if we were a bit more balanced with our playcalling.
- Nuss only showed up 2 or 3 times. The rare times where he did scramble were on 3rd downs. This would help a ton if he starts tucking and running earlier in drives instead of only doing so when he literally has no other choice.
Overall, I see this being something that, if we change our philosophy, can result in a lot more efficiency for this offense. Running early and often would take a lot of weight off Nuss's shoulders - the amount of times I noticed while charting this that we'd get ourselves into 3rd and 10's after back to back incompletions was troubling. Almost surprising that he didn't throw even more INTs.
I spent a couple hours yesterday charting LSU's 1st down play calls, including the quarter, the ballcarrier, and the result of the play. Unfortunately, I didn't save my excel file, so all that work I did yesterday is gone
However, I do remember a few noteworthy stats that I pulled together when I was done. Some of it is things we already know, but here they are:
- 44% of 1st down play calls were running plays.
- LSU gained 4.8 yards per run on 1st down.
- There were very few explosive plays. Maybe 15-20 for the entire season, while there were tons of explosives on 1st downs in the passing game. I would figure this is why Sloan would somewhat quit on the running game at times. Definitely began forcing it later in the season like against Vanderbilt, which resulted in some running game success.
- Passing game wasn't terribly efficient - only completed 60% of 1st down passes. Would think it would help the passing game if we were a bit more balanced with our playcalling.
- Nuss only showed up 2 or 3 times. The rare times where he did scramble were on 3rd downs. This would help a ton if he starts tucking and running earlier in drives instead of only doing so when he literally has no other choice.
Overall, I see this being something that, if we change our philosophy, can result in a lot more efficiency for this offense. Running early and often would take a lot of weight off Nuss's shoulders - the amount of times I noticed while charting this that we'd get ourselves into 3rd and 10's after back to back incompletions was troubling. Almost surprising that he didn't throw even more INTs.
16
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:13 am to iamandykeim
This is a big year for Sloan. I really wasn't super impressed with his play calling last year. Very predictable and no flow at times. We have the talent but Sloan is one thing that keeps me worried.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:13 am to iamandykeim
You’ve got more time on your hands than I do. But it definitely rings true that some of the running issue is due to trying to run in obvious situations. It’s similar to CLM only wanting to pass when we had to. If the defense knows it’s coming and it’s not something you do often, it’s difficult to be successful at it.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:15 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:My fiance's out of town
You’ve got more time on your hands than I do.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:20 am to iamandykeim
Ok. 44% seems like a good bit. You have to pass on non passing downs. Or the rush kills you. Have to be credible in the running game to manage the clock. Score in the red zone. Keep defensive ends home
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:26 am to DhanTigers212
Sloan isn’t a SEC caliber OC. Great qb coach, bad recruiter, bad playcalling. He and BK are why we have at least three losses a year
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:34 am to iamandykeim
quote:
Unfortunately, I didn't save my excel file, so all that work I did yesterday is gone
Can't use the autorecover feature?
Open Excel.
Go to File > Info.
Look for the section Manage Workbook (or Manage Versions).
Click Recover Unsaved Workbooks.
A list of unsaved files should appear — open the one you need, then Save As.
Edit:
quote:
- 44% of 1st down play calls were running plays.
I wonder what the FBS average is.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 11:37 am
Posted on 8/15/25 at 11:39 am to iamandykeim
We need Slinger in the box in a non-official role just saying what he thinks.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:02 pm to DhanTigers212
Sloan showed me some hope from the Vandy game onward that we can be balanced. I thought the playcalling in the Texas bowl was great and that was with half the skill guys we have now
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:11 pm to iamandykeim
quote:
The rare times where he did scramble were on 3rd downs.
This would help a ton if he starts tucking and running earlier in drives
instead of only doing so when he literally has no other choice.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:52 pm to ApisMellifera
quote:Unfortunately, this thing is gone gone because my computer had a hard refresh last night. This is why I use Google Sheets 99% of the time.
Can't use the autorecover feature?
Posted on 8/15/25 at 7:41 pm to MasterAbe1
That’s because BK had a play call sheet in his hands
Posted on 8/15/25 at 7:51 pm to saturncube21
Sloan better produce this year. NO excuses. Kelly shouldn't have to help his OC handle a running game, and Kelly shouldn't have to hire another guy like Adkins to help sloan with the running game.
He better turn it around this year or he's gone!
He better turn it around this year or he's gone!
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 8/15/25 at 7:54 pm to iamandykeim
Clemson will dominate LSU'S Offensive line. They lost guys drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. What makes anyone think this year will be different? With new guys ? I am telling you dudes , they will get dominated at Clemson. Same as 2002 at Va Tech.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 7:57 pm to iamandykeim
quote:
Passing game wasn't terribly efficient - only completed 60% of 1st down passes. Would think it would help the passing game if we were a bit more balanced with our playcalling.
The lack of a deep ball threat for most of the season also had an impact on this. It allowed defenses to put more bodies close to the line of scrimmage. This makes the run game harder and also makes it easier to crowd passing lanes, jump routes, and keep everything in front with the short and intermediate passing.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 8:00 pm to Htxtiger17
quote:
Great qb coach, bad recruiter, bad playcalling. He and BK are why we have at least three losses a year
He’s not a bad recruiter as a QB Coach. He lost Underwood to one of the richest men in the world money whipping him. That has nothing to do with “recruiting.”
I do think the offensive issues last season have hurt Sloan with some current recruits, but money and Nuss taking a step this season would likely fix that.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 8:05 pm to ChestRockwell
quote:
Clemson will dominate LSU'S Offensive line. They lost guys drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. What makes anyone think this year will be different? With new guys ? I am telling you dudes , they will get dominated at Clemson. Same as 2002 at Va Tech.
Um Brad Davis has been a great recruiter. The talent is there. Alex Atkins will make a difference where Sloan & Davis struggle.
I’m happy I don’t have the same outlook on this situation as you lol
Posted on 8/15/25 at 8:36 pm to iamandykeim
Sloan had some terrible game plans last year, so much so BK apparently had to get involved. I’m not a fan of Sloan but let’s see what he does. There is no shortage of supporting staff for him and the different position groups this year. BK may have sent him a message in his presser stating, “there are no excuses for scheme shortcomings against Clemson.”
Biggest issue with Sloan is scheme and situational play calling, both shortcomings are magnified in the red zone. Two huge issues for an OC. At times last year we’d dial up a run play with a terrible blocking scheme and a loaded box. We telegraphed the plays. Let’s see if he sharpened any of this up. I have serious doubts.
Biggest issue with Sloan is scheme and situational play calling, both shortcomings are magnified in the red zone. Two huge issues for an OC. At times last year we’d dial up a run play with a terrible blocking scheme and a loaded box. We telegraphed the plays. Let’s see if he sharpened any of this up. I have serious doubts.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 9:08 pm to iamandykeim
Totally agree that Nuss needs to run the ball more on 1st and 2nd down when the defense allows, it was there last year but he just didn't take the opportunities. Not sure if it was due to coaching (injury prevention) or he just didn't feel capable but its an area we need to exploit early to open up the passing and running game.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 9:10 pm to iamandykeim
I remember in a couple games at least last year where LSU was calling running plays on literally every single 2nd down play it seemed like the entire game. Pass on 1st down and the same exact run play on 2nd down every drive that got stuffed because the defense knew what they were about to run I’m sure. It’s like Sloan didn’t give two shits about being creative in the least bit. So frustrating.
This post was edited on 8/15/25 at 9:11 pm
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