Ross Fulton Analysis: Why Did Ohio State Struggle Early In The Run Game?

The Ohio State Buckeyes opened their 2024 college football season with a 52-6 win over Akron, but at times things didn’t come as easily for the Bucks as the final score might have indicated.

Ross Fulton is one of the Xs and Os gurus at BuckeyeHuddle.com. He joins host Tom Orr to discuss the reason for some of OSU’s early struggles, as well as taking a look at the impact that new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is already having on the offense.

Plus, how the use of motion helped set up Jeremiah Smith’s second touchdown of the day, why the deep safety isn’t always playing deep in some cover 3 looks on defense, and much more.

You can find video of the plays being discussed at the following timecodes here:

Inside Zone at 2:40:

OSU’s OL looked pretty good on inside zone Saturday. pic.twitter.com/7iHAKVXGrh

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 2, 2024

Same-Side Inside Zone at 6:10:

Chip Kelly’s same side inside zone with a C fold block. pic.twitter.com/ATDNNOMaVd

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

Pin and Pull with a backside RPO at 8:01:

Pin and pull to the boundary with backside RPO quick outs to the field. pic.twitter.com/DG0uncCwcU

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

Inside Zone with a backside Arrow RPO at 10:38:

OSU IZ with backside arrow RPO. 3 over 2 for the pull. pic.twitter.com/kUK6R43hdQ

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

Snag to the trips, with a backside glance off play action at 13:06:

Snag to the trips with a backside glance off PAP. Motion indicates man, throw the glance route. pic.twitter.com/Gg1Lzv5x3u

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

Country Cover 4 at 15:11:

Lot of country cover 4 from OSU. Akron went after 11 a lot to the boundary flat. pic.twitter.com/53WC2uuQLo

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

3 High with Caleb Downs in the box at 18:16:

OSU 3 hi. Rotate to 3 cloud with middle S (Downs) coming down and Ni (Hancock) in deep half. pic.twitter.com/323ElKmmZF

— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) September 5, 2024

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