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Turning point: Tre Mason's 89-yard touchdown run
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14219/turning-point-tre-masons-89-yard-touchdown-run
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look back at the turning point play in the St. Louis Rams' 52-0 win against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon:
The situation: The Rams posted the second-largest victory margin in franchise history meaning there really wasn't much of a turning point in this game. But since we just can't say, "the game started" we're taking a slightly different tact today. I posed the question to my terrific Twitter followers and got some great responses. But this play was chosen not because it turned the game around but because it was the moment when Rams fans could take a deep breath with the realization that this lead wasn't going to be blown like others earlier in the season.
With 11:26 to go in the second quarter, the Rams had a first-and-5 at their 11-yard line following an encroachment penalty on the Raiders. At the time, the Rams held a convincing 21-0 lead and the defense had yielded just two first downs.
The play: In the huddle before the snap, running back Tre Mason told quarterback Shaun Hill that if he checked to a run on the play that he would have a chance to take it the distance.
"That one long run I just told Shaun if he called a run play right now I think I can take it all the way," Mason said.
So it was that Hill did go with a run play, a bit of a change of pace after Hill had checked out of runs to short passes about six times on the team's first three scoring drives. But with Oakland forced to back off a bit because of the Rams' success throwing the ball, there was indeed more opportunity for the run game to take off.
The Rams lined up in a basic offset I-formation with a receiver split wide to each side and tight end Lance Kendricks attached to the right side of the line of scrimmage. At the snap, Kendricks pretends to block momentarily but then proceeds to sell a route to the flat. It's enough to make Raiders defensive end Denico Autry flinch just enough to create space for Mason to get past him before he can make the play in the backfield. Meanwhile, the Rams offensive line all blocks down with right tackle Joe Barksdale and guard Davin Joseph caving in their side of the line. The hole was big enough for Mason and lead blocker Cory Harkey to run through it which would prove important soon after.
With Harkey in front, Mason flows through the hole as Harkey provides a huge block down the field to spring him. Tavon Austin swooped in soon after to escort Mason and get in the way of two would-be tacklers and Mason raced untouched to the end zone for the touchdown.
The fallout: The score made it 28-0 and though the Rams have had big leads that have slipped away this season, it was probably the early nail in the coffin they needed to offer some reassurance that this lead would not be getting away. It was the second-longest run in franchise history, surpassing Eric Dickerson, and propelled Mason to the best rushing output of his young career. The Rams would go on to pile it on and score 52 unanswered points and there were other little plays along the way that got them there but it's Mason's that will be remembered most.
"He’s humble yet he’s extremely confident which is what you need to have as a young back," guard Rodger Saffold said. "And when he’s given the ball he can make things happen, make people miss and he’s giving us a chance to get downfield and make extra blocks for him."
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14219/turning-point-tre-masons-89-yard-touchdown-run
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look back at the turning point play in the St. Louis Rams' 52-0 win against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon:
The situation: The Rams posted the second-largest victory margin in franchise history meaning there really wasn't much of a turning point in this game. But since we just can't say, "the game started" we're taking a slightly different tact today. I posed the question to my terrific Twitter followers and got some great responses. But this play was chosen not because it turned the game around but because it was the moment when Rams fans could take a deep breath with the realization that this lead wasn't going to be blown like others earlier in the season.
With 11:26 to go in the second quarter, the Rams had a first-and-5 at their 11-yard line following an encroachment penalty on the Raiders. At the time, the Rams held a convincing 21-0 lead and the defense had yielded just two first downs.
The play: In the huddle before the snap, running back Tre Mason told quarterback Shaun Hill that if he checked to a run on the play that he would have a chance to take it the distance.
"That one long run I just told Shaun if he called a run play right now I think I can take it all the way," Mason said.
So it was that Hill did go with a run play, a bit of a change of pace after Hill had checked out of runs to short passes about six times on the team's first three scoring drives. But with Oakland forced to back off a bit because of the Rams' success throwing the ball, there was indeed more opportunity for the run game to take off.
The Rams lined up in a basic offset I-formation with a receiver split wide to each side and tight end Lance Kendricks attached to the right side of the line of scrimmage. At the snap, Kendricks pretends to block momentarily but then proceeds to sell a route to the flat. It's enough to make Raiders defensive end Denico Autry flinch just enough to create space for Mason to get past him before he can make the play in the backfield. Meanwhile, the Rams offensive line all blocks down with right tackle Joe Barksdale and guard Davin Joseph caving in their side of the line. The hole was big enough for Mason and lead blocker Cory Harkey to run through it which would prove important soon after.
With Harkey in front, Mason flows through the hole as Harkey provides a huge block down the field to spring him. Tavon Austin swooped in soon after to escort Mason and get in the way of two would-be tacklers and Mason raced untouched to the end zone for the touchdown.
The fallout: The score made it 28-0 and though the Rams have had big leads that have slipped away this season, it was probably the early nail in the coffin they needed to offer some reassurance that this lead would not be getting away. It was the second-longest run in franchise history, surpassing Eric Dickerson, and propelled Mason to the best rushing output of his young career. The Rams would go on to pile it on and score 52 unanswered points and there were other little plays along the way that got them there but it's Mason's that will be remembered most.
"He’s humble yet he’s extremely confident which is what you need to have as a young back," guard Rodger Saffold said. "And when he’s given the ball he can make things happen, make people miss and he’s giving us a chance to get downfield and make extra blocks for him."
