John Jacobs loves option football.
When he's got a video game controller in his hands, that is.
"Oh, I love it," said Marshall's senior defensive end. "I think it's the best offense to use in the video game."
But when Jacobs actually has to play against the option?
Well, that's a different story.
The option can be a nightmare waiting to happen for a defensive end.
Which segues to Marshall's matchup against Ohio University in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at 1 p.m., Saturday, in Ford Field.
You see, Ohio has an option-based offense.
"They're not going to run option every single play," said Jacobs, "but every single play has some kind of option-look or option-feel to it.
"Whether it's a guy coming in motion over the top to get a linebacker's attention or it may be a designed dive, but the quarterback is carrying out the fake.
"Every part of their offense -- especially the run game -- has an option flavor to it to keep you option-conscious."
That puts an inordinate amount of pressure on Herd defensive ends Albert McClellan, Vinny Curry, John Youboty and Jacobs.
"We really have to play our keys," said Jacobs, "and just make sure we're coordinated with everyone and that everyone is on the same page as far as taking responsibilities."
The bottom line is defending the option now is still the same as it was in the old days -- assignment football.
"Oh, absolutely," said Jacobs. "It's never going to change. It's always going to be, 'Do your job and don't worry about doing anyone else's job.'
"If you do your job that will be enough."
The assignments are basic. One defender has to take the quarterback, another takes the dive back and yet another takes the pitch back.
"Exactly," said Jacobs. "If we've got a guy in speed motion, then somebody has to get that guy. Then, somebody has to get the quarterback. Somebody has to get the dive. Somebody has to get the pitch.
"And somebody has got to be there if it ends up not being a run and it's a pass. Everyone just has to do their job and not try to do too much."
What about the freeze-option pass? Or, is that too old school?
"Oh, no, I used to run it on NCAA Football, the video game," said Jacobs with a grin. "That's all I used to run in the video game -- the option. And, then, I'd change it up with a little freeze-option pass.
"Go down the line, back up, touchdown.
"I haven't seen Ohio use it, but I'm sure they have it in."
If so, Jacobs is one defensive end that won't be fooled.
Thanks to video games.
SLICES OF PIZZA: Marshall ran into an unusual problem Thursday morning during practice at Ford Field. The Herd could utilize only about 40 yards of the field on either side of the 50-yard line.
"That really cuts down on some things we wanted to work on," said tight end Lee Smith. "We planned on using the whole field."
Both end zones and the center of the field were off-limits. Orange cones cordoned off all three areas, so players wouldn't trample on the freshly painted bowl logos.
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl organizers obviously want the logos to look good Saturday on ESPN.
When he's got a video game controller in his hands, that is.
"Oh, I love it," said Marshall's senior defensive end. "I think it's the best offense to use in the video game."
But when Jacobs actually has to play against the option?
Well, that's a different story.
The option can be a nightmare waiting to happen for a defensive end.
Which segues to Marshall's matchup against Ohio University in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at 1 p.m., Saturday, in Ford Field.
You see, Ohio has an option-based offense.
"They're not going to run option every single play," said Jacobs, "but every single play has some kind of option-look or option-feel to it.
"Whether it's a guy coming in motion over the top to get a linebacker's attention or it may be a designed dive, but the quarterback is carrying out the fake.
"Every part of their offense -- especially the run game -- has an option flavor to it to keep you option-conscious."
That puts an inordinate amount of pressure on Herd defensive ends Albert McClellan, Vinny Curry, John Youboty and Jacobs.
"We really have to play our keys," said Jacobs, "and just make sure we're coordinated with everyone and that everyone is on the same page as far as taking responsibilities."
The bottom line is defending the option now is still the same as it was in the old days -- assignment football.
"Oh, absolutely," said Jacobs. "It's never going to change. It's always going to be, 'Do your job and don't worry about doing anyone else's job.'
"If you do your job that will be enough."
The assignments are basic. One defender has to take the quarterback, another takes the dive back and yet another takes the pitch back.
"Exactly," said Jacobs. "If we've got a guy in speed motion, then somebody has to get that guy. Then, somebody has to get the quarterback. Somebody has to get the dive. Somebody has to get the pitch.
"And somebody has got to be there if it ends up not being a run and it's a pass. Everyone just has to do their job and not try to do too much."
What about the freeze-option pass? Or, is that too old school?
"Oh, no, I used to run it on NCAA Football, the video game," said Jacobs with a grin. "That's all I used to run in the video game -- the option. And, then, I'd change it up with a little freeze-option pass.
"Go down the line, back up, touchdown.
"I haven't seen Ohio use it, but I'm sure they have it in."
If so, Jacobs is one defensive end that won't be fooled.
Thanks to video games.
SLICES OF PIZZA: Marshall ran into an unusual problem Thursday morning during practice at Ford Field. The Herd could utilize only about 40 yards of the field on either side of the 50-yard line.
"That really cuts down on some things we wanted to work on," said tight end Lee Smith. "We planned on using the whole field."
Both end zones and the center of the field were off-limits. Orange cones cordoned off all three areas, so players wouldn't trample on the freshly painted bowl logos.
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl organizers obviously want the logos to look good Saturday on ESPN.
