Why Chip Kelly paid tribute to Woody Hayes with first play-call in Ohio State spring game

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When quarterback Will Howard crouched under center to take the snap on the first play from scrimmage in Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday, three others lined up behind him in the backfield.

Patrick Gurd, a walk-on tight end, was directly at his back, getting into a three-point stance as a fullback, while running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins flanked Gurd.

It left the Buckeyes in a look familiar to a generation of fans. Half a century ago, the T-formation stood as a staple of the Woody Hayes era.

Apr 13, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly looks on during warmups before the Ohio State football spring game at Ohio Stadium.

“If it was good enough for Woody,” said Chip Kelly, the newly hired offensive coordinator, “we’re going to do it.”

Kelly built his reputation in college football as an offensive innovator, bringing a warp-speed spread offense to Oregon in the late 2000s that would revolutionize the way teams pushed the pace and spaced the field to stress defenses.

But in his public debut as the Buckeyes’ play-caller, standing on the sideline at Ohio Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 80,012, he went old school.

“I think our players had a lot of fun practicing that,” Kelly said, “and doing some different things.”

As he discussed the opening play-call, Kelly paid homage to Hayes, the legendary coach who led the Buckeyes for 28 years. He referenced the program’s practice facility that bears his name and features a statue in his likeness outside its entrance along Olentangy River Road.

“There’s a looming figure around this whole program,” he said.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-chip-kelly-paid-tribute-223939760.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-04-13 22:39:39

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