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During fall training camp, Syracuse offensive coordinator Jason Beck approached the offense with a new plan for short-yardage scenarios. The Orange were coming off a season in which they converted just 36.6% of third downs and 41.7% of fourth downs. Hindered by a typically undersized offensive line, SU needed to mix something up to continue drives.

Beck told the offense they would install a goal line package with “a lot of bigger people to help push that line.” The Orange wanted more bodies to help create openings big enough for LeQuint Allen Jr. to charge through. With 9:01 left in the first quarter against Western Michigan, Beck debuted the play.

He lined tight end Max Mang on the left as an extra lineman while Jakob Bradford went right. Garrett Shrader rushed to the line of scrimmage and crouched beneath J’Onre Reed. Behind him sat Dan Villari, Allen Jr. and defensive lineman Elijah Wright in a T formation. Villari motioned to the right, setting up as an extra blocker for Allen Jr. Wright was in a three-point stance a step in front of Allen Jr. to his right. Shrader handed the ball off to Allen Jr., who easily scored, giving the Orange a 10-3 lead.

Though Shrader said after a 40-7 loss to then-No. 14 North Carolina that Syracuse is still searching for an offensive identity, the jumbo play has been effective through six games. Dubbed a “throwback” formation by head coach Dino Babers, the play allows SU to overcome a smaller offensive line to convert short-yardage plays. While Syracuse (4-2, 0-2 Atlantic Coast) is just 2-of-6 on fourth-down conversions, it ranks 17th in the nation with a 49.4% third-down conversion rate.

“It’s from the past. It’s from the archives,” Babers said.

Syracuse has already lost David Wohlabaugh Jr. to a season-ending injury while Joe More and Kalan Ellis have played sparingly for the offensive line. The unit has been challenged with four new starters up front under first-year coach Steve Farmer.

The jumbo package, however, gives them an advantage. Despite players being unfamiliar with the formation, it’s worked, leading to three rushing touchdowns from Allen. Jr. against WMU.

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Babers worked on the west coast for 12 seasons, with schools that had trouble recruiting bigger offensive linemen. He said he’s used the formation in the past, and Beck’s experience as the offensive coordinator at Simon Fraser, a university in British Columbia, helps the play. Canadian football utilizes 12 players with pre-snap motion that is prevalent on Syracuse’s goal line packages.

The play has also allowed freshmen to see playing time. Rashard Perry and David Clement have lined up as the tight end in the backfield. Perry played offensive line at Bennett High School, while Clement was a blocking tight end at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, New York. Villari, who is seeing his first true playing time in his fourth year, cycles in frequently as the extra blocker.

“It’s good to get in there and be in there in one of the most physical times of the game,” Clement said.

Clement called the play Syracuse’s version of the “tush push,” a goal line play that the Philadelphia Eagles ushered into the National Football League this season. He said the Orange have done a good job at executing the play, with the goal of keeping the line moving and winning the line of scrimmage. Defenses have adjusted after SU’s display against Western Michigan, typically bringing in an extra defensive lineman.

Though Shrader said he hasn’t used the formation since Mighty Mite football — when he was the center — he said he’s enjoyed being a part of it with Syracuse. The goal, Shrader said, is to involve the “big guys,” creating one-on-one scenarios for the running back. The seven linemen will dive on their man while the tight end or fullback in the backfield picks up the strong side defensive end. Allen Jr. does the rest, barreling downhill on a linebacker to gain the extra yard.

The Orange have since adjusted the play, and Shrader said they’re continuing to add new wrinkles so that they can do more than just run up the middle. In its following four games, Syracuse has sent Damien Alford or Umari Hatcher out wide to pull a cornerback off the pile while working in play actions to pick on aggressive defenders. Clement has seen the formation before with a fullback in his position, yet never with defensive linemen.

Whatever the changes may be, the play isn’t going anywhere.

“It’s definitely fun to get all those big guys in there and go get a yard or two,” Shrader said.

Published on October 11, 2023 at 11:36 pm

Contact Anthony: aalandt@syr.edu | @anthonyalandt