How CCSU Generates Explosives on its Boundary Run-Action Passes

By Mike Kuchar with Caleb Gelsomino
Offensive Coordinator
Central Connecticut State University
@Coach_Gel

“When we’re trying to go to a run action pass and create a downhill explosive, this is what we go to.”
- Caleb Gelsomino, Offensive Coordinator, Central Connecticut State University

Don’t call CCSU small town football. The Blue Devils play a big boy schedule in the Northeast Conference and have claimed its top spot the last two seasons. They’ve given CAA programs like Rhode Island fits over the same time in the FCS playoffs and have posted record breaking numbers on the offensive side of the ball, leading the conference in total yards per game (381 ypg) and passing yards per game (242 ypg). At the crux of this operation is how offensive coordinator Caleb Gelsomino and his staff devise “big play” shots at the right times to exploit defenses. It’s an explosive mindset that is built on an intention. “To us, it’s always a question of how do we build one or two of these a week where it’s going to be a shot play or an explosive then we work off there,” he said.

One of the biggest challenges in connecting on these downfield shots is devising ways to protect the quarterback and give him enough time to throw. This comes with building out the types of protection schemes necessary. We will detail the route concepts further, but there are two cornerstones as far as protection goes: gap-based protections and zone-based protections.

The biggest challenge for coaches in executing these deep shots off run action is making sure the quarterback is protected and has time to throw. Coach Gelsomino relied on two separate types of protections for these shots: one for an experienced line and one for a more youthful group.  How Coach Gelsomino built these protections and devised the route counters behind them will be the basis of this report.

In this report, Coach Gelsomino opens up the full run-action pass system that fueled CCSU's back-to-back NEC titles and a conference-leading passing offense. Here's what you'll see in the full report:

• Both protection schemes side-by-side with diagrams — gap pull for the veteran line and full-slide zone for the younger group — and how each one buys the QB time on the longer mesh
• The coaching point on the pulling guard that sells the run fake and forces the defensive end to convert to pass rush mode
• The "one step pop" QB technique off the A-gap mesh, including which side of coverage Coach Gelsomino reads first and why
• Seven complete route concepts with diagrams: Wave (double posts with the Dover), Boundary Post/Wheel off jet motion, Poco Switch, Four Verticals with the "slip to divide" technique, Double Post with Bender, Post/Dig with Wheel, and Boundary Slot Switch
• The Post/Dig with Wheel concept that produced a game-winning completion this season, plus the QB's full read progression
• Raw and narrated game film of every concept in action