Cal's Solid Screen

The much anticipated match-up of Cal and Ohio State ended as many expected it would.  The fledgling Cal Bears in the first season of Sonny Dykes just didn't have the horses to run with a top 5 BCS program, particularly on defense.  When freshman quarterback, Jared Goff, was able to get on the field, he was able to display some of the handiwork of the Tony Franklin repertoire from the past 10 years.

One concept in particular, the solid screen, illustrated how tying several concepts together to provide a simple constraint on defenses.  The key/flash screens used early in the game coupled with inside zone runs supplied the necessary horizontal stretch to minimize risk and keep the tempo high (even OSU utilized this).  Franklin and company have used solid screens for years, which combine both of these concepts into one play to counter pursuit against zone runs.


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