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There was one play in particular that stood out for me. The last play of the 3rd quarter, the Malik Dixon-Williams INT. UConn was already down two scores 23-10 at this point and another score by UAB would've made it a 3 score game, basically ending UConn's chance at a comeback. This was the turning point play to me. Some really, really great discipline and awareness here. So I want to highlight all the greatness involved.
I stitched together five screenshots of that play (to get past the 2 image per post limit). Let's get to it:
#1: Pre-Snap Setup
UAB is lined up in a shotgun set with two receivers + one TE to the far side. This is often a passing setup with additional pass blocking intended to stretch the defense horizontally. Given the game situation (time, down, score) it makes a lot of sense to try for a deep shot here.
UConn's defense shows two safeties deep, with cornerbacks and linebackers spread across the field. This looks like a zone setup rather than man-to-man coverage, especially given the safeties' depth.
Kitna is likely reading the two-deep safety look and might anticipate a zone, either a Cover 2 or Cover 4, where safeties split the field into halves or quarters. This coverage often opens up opportunities for routes in the intermediate zones or on the boundaries.
To summarize, UAB is trying to do a deep shot but also trying to disguise it. UConn is showing a defense intended to stop short/intermediate passes even though they are thinking it's a good time for UAB to take a deep shot. Good chess moves here on both sides.
#2: Start of Play Action
Kitna begins the play-action fake, showing a handoff to the running back. This motion is designed to draw the linebackers and potentially the safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, opening up space for passing routes behind them.
The MLB, Renwick, step forward, protecting against the run. The OLB, Tui, plays his responsibility, covering the outside run and prevents the QB from having an escape option. However, the safeties are not biting. This is good, disciplined zone coverage where they are responsible for their deeper zones regardless of the play-action.
Kitna is likely watching to see if any defenders bite on the play-action. He’s hoping that the linebackers and possibly one of the safeties come downfield, creating space for a pass over the middle or to one of his wideouts breaking downfield.
Dixon-Williams steps up from his safety position to play man against the slot WR. He knows that there is no one to help him because he's the safety that would be offering help. So he sticks to this WR like glue. Great recognition on his part.
UConn has all UAB's options covered. This play is dead already, but Kitna doesn't know it yet. The best thing he could've done is throw the ball away. But it's hard for a QB to give up on a play.
#3: QB Sets Up for the Throw
At this point, the receivers are gunning downfield. UAB likely has routes attacking different levels, with one or more deep options. The WRs have now spread the defense, with Dixon-Williams keeping an eye on the QB and reading the play.
UConn’s DBs are maintaining their zones. The cornerbacks seem to be staying shallow. This keeps the middle and deeper parts of the field in control of the safeties.
Kitna looks downfield, laser focused on one of his receivers who appears to be breaking open down the seam. He's totally locking onto this receiver (think it's #10 Terrell McDonald).
#4: QB Throws the Ball
Kitna has committed to throwing downfield, possibly into what he thinks is a gap in the coverage. Based on the alignment, he's aiming for a receiver running a seam or post route, expecting to find space between the safeties. It's actually a good throw, physically. Just not one mentally. His WR wasn't where he was supposed to be and Kitna is too aggressive as a QB.
Dixon-Williams reads the quarterback’s eyes and starts moving toward the ball. He anticipates where the throw will go, likely because the quarterback hasn't stopped looking at this receiver. This is excellent awareness from the safety, as he’s putting himself in a very good, great position to make a play on the ball.
#5: Interception
The hard work is done. Dixon-Williams, using excellent inside technique, ran his man out of bounds. The play is over for McDonald. Kitna doesn't recognize this, throws anyway. All that is left is for Dixon-Williams to make the catch.
Every man on defense did their jobs to a high degree to cause this TO. But Dixon-Williams, Tui, and the Matt Brock play call turned this defensive stop into a game changing turnover.
One thing I'll add here is why I think we struggled in the first half defensively. IMO, we played the wrong defense against UAB. Too much zone, not enough pressure. UAB's pass scheme works best against zone defenses. UAB's biggest weakness on offense is their oline. We should've pressured them much earlier. A lot of their offensive sets require precise timing. We didn't really disrupt any of that until we starting blitzing more in the 2nd half.
I stitched together five screenshots of that play (to get past the 2 image per post limit). Let's get to it:
#1: Pre-Snap Setup
UAB is lined up in a shotgun set with two receivers + one TE to the far side. This is often a passing setup with additional pass blocking intended to stretch the defense horizontally. Given the game situation (time, down, score) it makes a lot of sense to try for a deep shot here.
UConn's defense shows two safeties deep, with cornerbacks and linebackers spread across the field. This looks like a zone setup rather than man-to-man coverage, especially given the safeties' depth.
Kitna is likely reading the two-deep safety look and might anticipate a zone, either a Cover 2 or Cover 4, where safeties split the field into halves or quarters. This coverage often opens up opportunities for routes in the intermediate zones or on the boundaries.
To summarize, UAB is trying to do a deep shot but also trying to disguise it. UConn is showing a defense intended to stop short/intermediate passes even though they are thinking it's a good time for UAB to take a deep shot. Good chess moves here on both sides.
#2: Start of Play Action
Kitna begins the play-action fake, showing a handoff to the running back. This motion is designed to draw the linebackers and potentially the safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, opening up space for passing routes behind them.
The MLB, Renwick, step forward, protecting against the run. The OLB, Tui, plays his responsibility, covering the outside run and prevents the QB from having an escape option. However, the safeties are not biting. This is good, disciplined zone coverage where they are responsible for their deeper zones regardless of the play-action.
Kitna is likely watching to see if any defenders bite on the play-action. He’s hoping that the linebackers and possibly one of the safeties come downfield, creating space for a pass over the middle or to one of his wideouts breaking downfield.
Dixon-Williams steps up from his safety position to play man against the slot WR. He knows that there is no one to help him because he's the safety that would be offering help. So he sticks to this WR like glue. Great recognition on his part.
UConn has all UAB's options covered. This play is dead already, but Kitna doesn't know it yet. The best thing he could've done is throw the ball away. But it's hard for a QB to give up on a play.
#3: QB Sets Up for the Throw
At this point, the receivers are gunning downfield. UAB likely has routes attacking different levels, with one or more deep options. The WRs have now spread the defense, with Dixon-Williams keeping an eye on the QB and reading the play.
UConn’s DBs are maintaining their zones. The cornerbacks seem to be staying shallow. This keeps the middle and deeper parts of the field in control of the safeties.
Kitna looks downfield, laser focused on one of his receivers who appears to be breaking open down the seam. He's totally locking onto this receiver (think it's #10 Terrell McDonald).
#4: QB Throws the Ball
Kitna has committed to throwing downfield, possibly into what he thinks is a gap in the coverage. Based on the alignment, he's aiming for a receiver running a seam or post route, expecting to find space between the safeties. It's actually a good throw, physically. Just not one mentally. His WR wasn't where he was supposed to be and Kitna is too aggressive as a QB.
Dixon-Williams reads the quarterback’s eyes and starts moving toward the ball. He anticipates where the throw will go, likely because the quarterback hasn't stopped looking at this receiver. This is excellent awareness from the safety, as he’s putting himself in a very good, great position to make a play on the ball.
#5: Interception
The hard work is done. Dixon-Williams, using excellent inside technique, ran his man out of bounds. The play is over for McDonald. Kitna doesn't recognize this, throws anyway. All that is left is for Dixon-Williams to make the catch.
Every man on defense did their jobs to a high degree to cause this TO. But Dixon-Williams, Tui, and the Matt Brock play call turned this defensive stop into a game changing turnover.
One thing I'll add here is why I think we struggled in the first half defensively. IMO, we played the wrong defense against UAB. Too much zone, not enough pressure. UAB's pass scheme works best against zone defenses. UAB's biggest weakness on offense is their oline. We should've pressured them much earlier. A lot of their offensive sets require precise timing. We didn't really disrupt any of that until we starting blitzing more in the 2nd half.
