The Rebel Walk QB Film Room: Ole Miss 20, Cal 28
Before we look at the Ole Miss quarterback play against Cal in this edition of The Rebel Walk QB Film Room, I must say I was impressed with the competitive spirit this team showed, particularly in the final five minutes of the game. Although the score didn’t show a victory, there was a tremendous effort made by your Rebels.
This game was winnable, for sure, but there were many opportunities lost, both early and late. The good news is that everything is correctable, and for such a young outfit, I see a very bright future. There’s a lot of talent out there. Enjoy their development!
QB Film Room – Cal game
Video 1
We’re seeing more and more of the run-pass option on the corners, and here the strategy is executed brilliantly by Matt Corral. Watch Jonathan Mingo up top showing run and then slipping behind the defensive back for the catch.
Video 2
Here we have a running play designed to get the quarterback out on the corner behind the blocking of the right side of the offensive line. A good fake sends the linebacker backside and play-side run support is nowhere to be found.
Video 3
You’ve got to love the design of this play out of the two-back set. Your left halfback Jerrion Ealy will jet to the opposite flat while Corral is faking a handoff to your other back. All eyes are off Ealy until it’s too late and the ball is delivered.
Video 4
This is the type of big play you’re looking for out of the run-pass option on the corner. Notice the defensive end going all in on the dive back, leaving the corner area wide open for QB decision making. It’s a great job here by the QB in hitting Braylon Sanders and then an excellent run by the receiver after the catch.
Video 5
Here’s a 4th and 6 play that is executed to perfection. All 5 eligible receivers are wide with trips to the short side of the field. Cal is bringing six defenders, meaning they’re 5-on-5 in the secondary. Corral finds his man in Elijah Moore but the freshman comes up a yard short; a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Video 6
This play is important because it’s the play that knocked starting quarterback out of the game. It was a clean hit back in the pocket as Corral releases the ball.
Video 7
True freshman QB John Rhys Plumlee enters the game and an excellent running play ensues. The RB goes into motion backside just before the ball is snapped, and Plumlee will read the block of his right tackle on the defensive end. After that, it’s off to the races.
Video 8
Here’s an excellent read on the handoff by Plumlee and fellow true freshman Jerrion Ealy finds the crease.
Video 9
Here’s an excellent job of pass protection for Plumlee, who’s seeing the first action of his career, and an outstanding job of catching the football by Demarcus Gregory.
Video 10
Here are the two plays that have been pored over and reviewed thousands of times — but not when it was absolutely necessary. Plumlee sprints left and delivers a strike to Moore. The receiver believes he’s still in the end zone and cradles the ball as he hits the ground. If he keeps his feet, of course, there is no debate and it’s potentially a tie game after a 2-point conversion.
On the QB sneak, one has to wonder just how often in simulated-game situations that Plumlee has had a chance to practice this play at Ole Miss. A reach over the top with the ball might get the TD call, but who knows for sure. Valiant effort by the Rebels that came up just inches short.
David Walker
David Walker was named Louisiana’s High School Player of the Year at just 16 years old and, at 17, became college football’s first quarterback to earn Freshman of the Year honors. He remains the NCAA’s youngest-ever starting quarterback, a distinction that has stood for decades.
Transitioning from a wide-open high school offense to Emory Bellard’s renowned wishbone triple option, Walker excelled as a dual-threat quarterback. He graduated as Texas A&M’s all-time winningest quarterback and served as a two-time team captain, helping to transform a program that had endured 15 losing seasons in the previous 16 years.
After his playing career, Walker coached and taught algebra at six Texas high schools before moving into private business. In 2011, he published his memoir, “I’ll Tell You When You’re Good,” a title inspired by the coaching philosophy of Shannon Suarez, the Sulphur High and Louisiana High School Hall of Fame coach who was a significant influence on Walker’s life and career.
Walker’s compelling storytelling in his autobiography reflects the breadth of his experiences in high school and college football, and it is an undeniable fact that he saw more action than any athlete in the history of the NCAA. Since 2013, he has contributed to The Rebel Walk, sharing his insights and expertise with readers.
