Two weeks ago, I wrote an article analyzing Vernon Adams Jr.’s six interceptions against Toronto. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, I’m going to be breaking down a big play or series of plays every week of the season going forward.
This week, I’m looking into Dustin Crum’s two unbelievable touchdown runs at the end of Ottawa’s comeback win over Winnipeg, neither of which were designed runs. The first touchdown tied the game with zeroes on the clock, and the second was a walk-off overtime winner.
For the tie
This game is something else 🤯 pic.twitter.com/x0DXzN60G9
— CFL (@CFL) July 15, 2023
Trailing by eight points with nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the clock stopped, there’s no chance Ottawa’s offensive coordinator, Khari Jones, thought this would have been the last offensive snap of the game. He called this play hoping to get a touchdown, but counting on there being time for one more if they come up short.
His heart must have stopped momentarily when Crum used up all nine seconds on a desperation scramble that looked eerily similar to last week’s final play, which came up two yards short against Hamilton. Here’s another look at that one.
Ottawa needed 21 yards. They got 19.
What a tackle to end the game! @Ticats win 21-13. pic.twitter.com/IjnVLircwV
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 9, 2023
So what was supposed to happen, and how did Winnipeg allow a known runner to scramble for a 12-yard score?
Ottawa lined up in a balanced formation with two receivers on either side. Running back Devonte Williams was to Crum’s left and fullback Anthony Gosselin was to his right — this is an important detail for later. Both backs were kept in to pass protect and all four receivers were sent to the end zone.
Winnipeg’s defensive line was in what I call a field front, but is typically known as an over front. That essentially means they weren’t centred but instead shifted one gap towards the wider side of the field.
Strong-side linebacker Alden Darby was lined up in a traditional safety spot to the field side. As with Gosselin’s alignment, this doesn’t matter right now but will come up again later.
Winnipeg looked like they were playing quarters coverage, with four defenders deep and four underneath, twisting their defensive linemen on both sides of a four-man rush.
The play broke down for Ottawa almost immediately. Left guard Drew Desjarlais didn’t sniff out the twist in time, allowing Willie Jefferson to come through almost untouched and force Crum to scramble.
Meanwhile, contain broke down on the other side of Winnipeg’s defensive line. Twisting defensive tackle and contain-man on this play, Cam Lawson, got unexpectedly double-teamed by Jacob Ruby and Zack Pelehos, the right guard and right tackle, which allowed Crum to escape the pocket. Adam Bighill had to run flat out to make sure the long-striding quarterback didn’t get to the pylon and helplessly flew by when Crum cut back inside.
With Jesse Briggs closing like a freight train from the left and Darby preventing a cut back outside, Crum had no choice but to go through cornerback Abu Daramy-Swaray, who dug in his heels just outside the two-yard-line. With a full head of steam and a 27-pound weight advantage, physics wasn’t going to let Crum get stopped this time.
For the win
Ottawa only needed a crum of hope 😏#CFLGameday | @REDBLACKS pic.twitter.com/YnUpzHfbt2
— CFL (@CFL) July 15, 2023
I’m not privy to Richie Hall’s defensive play-call and I don’t know everyone’s assignment, but it looked like three things contributed to manufacturing the perfect storm that downed the Blue Bombers.
The Redblacks were in the same split formation as on the first touchdown, but this time Gosselin was to the boundary instead of the field. Winnipeg played cover three cut with a boundary (or under) front, and they also played strength to the boundary. It’s likely that Gosselin’s presence forced the strength call to that side.
As the defence got lined up, Darby hesitated initially because with a boundary front against a running quarterback in a balanced formation, playing strength to the field is less dangerous. He appeared conflicted because his rules probably say otherwise.
Bighill’s responsibility through his read step was the field B-gap, and then a seam/hook drop. With this alignment, it’s too risky to fan out much wider than the first back out to his side. Briggs, meanwhile, had boundary A-gap responsibility and then a vertical seam drop. Instead of dropping vertically, however, Briggs widened with Gosselin, seemingly unaware that Darby settled on his side, and probably believing Bighill would drop straight back in the middle.
Bighill executed a wide drop and then broke suddenly to undercut Nate Behar in the flats, which wasn’t his job. Daramy-Swaray had the flats, and was right there in position. Due to the miscommunication, the middle of the field would have been open anyway. When Bighill took off in one direction and Briggs widened the other way, Crum was able to waltz right up the middle for 29 yards completely untouched.
The result was a winning touchdown that will be etched in the minds of CFL fans for years to come and one of the best upsets we’ve seen in years.
