Deceptive plays continue to gain popularity

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Coach Joe Tiller calls them "deceptives" — unusual plays meant to deceive opposing defenses.

And they're being used more and more frequently in major college football, not to mention the NFL.

On Saturday, Northwestern ran several reverse handoffs and used a play nicknamed "fumble rooskie" to get its first touchdown against Purdue. Wildcat quarterback Zak Kustok took the snap and, in the process of running out of the backfield, managed to tuck the ball between the legs of receiver Kunle Patrick, who had lined up in the backfield. After most of Purdue's defense took off in pursuit of Kustok, Patrick ran the other way and scored.

"The ball was totally shielded from the defense," Tiller said. "We had no idea they had that play."

Purdue's defenders gave the Wildcats credit for being different.

"Hey, I'm all for creativity," defensive tackle Matt Mitrione said.

At around the same time Saturday, in Lincoln, Neb., during a stalemate of a game between then-No. 2 Oklahoma and then-No. 3 Nebraska, the Sooners tried a play known as quarterback throwback. The Oklahoma running back took a handoff and then attempted a throw to quarterback Nate Hybl, who had broken into a pass pattern.

That play failed, but later in the game Nebraska used a similar play in which a running back took a handoff on a reverse and handed it to another receiver who threw to quarterback Eric Crouch for a touchdown that put the Cornhuskers up 20-10.

Later in the day, Michigan used a play similar to the "fumble rooskie" play in its 32-26 win over Iowa.

All around the country, even in tradition-rich offenses such as Michigan's, trick plays are coming out when they're least expected.

Some say deceptive plays are being used more because a well-timed, well-executed trick play sometimes confuses even the most disciplined defenses, as Northwestern's play did to Purdue's defense.

"I didn't know really what was going on," safety Stu Schweigert said. "They snap the ball and I see people running this way and that way, and I didn't see anyone with the ball. It was a good play."

Some people, such as Tiller, have a different theory.

"Well, I think coaches like to be complemented on their creativity," Tiller said. "They're picking up the message, and the message is to entertain people. So you're seeing more of that kind of stuff quite frankly."

Tiller said the team goes into each game with two or three deceptive plays in its game plan. The plays are hardly ever used, but sometimes they are. In Purdue's 35-28 win at Minnesota Sept. 29, quarterback Brandon Hance caught a touchdown from running back Montrell Lowe; later in the game, Minnesota running back Tellis Redmon threw a touchdown to tight end Ben Utecht.

"I don't like it," Tiller said. "But I find that I'm having to watch all of the Thursday night games … because usually if you see some kind of trick used then, it shows up the next Saturday. We're all copycats."

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