The game plan for attacking a guy like Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who has six sacks and 17 QB pressures in the season’s first five games as a left end, is usually, OK, he wants to rush the QB, let’s run at him, and make him work in the run game.
That one isn’t so easy when it comes to Ezeiruaku.
Diving into the Pro Football Focus analysis of Ezeiruaku’s game, he’s just as good against the run as he is as a pass-rusher.
Per PFF, Ezeiruaku has 22 tackles on run plays, which leads the BC defense, which isn’t all that common, to have a D-end leading the unit in tackles on run plays.
It’s usually a safety or linebacker, filling the gaps.
Ezeiruaku is also currently leading the country among defensive ends in run-game tackles.
This isn’t to say that you don’t still try to make it harder for him by running at him, to get your left tackle leaning on him, to have him have to fight off double-teams with either the tackle and guard or tackle and tight end, the goal being to try to wear him down.
These are the same things you try in pass dropbacks – double-teams with two O-linemen, the tackle and tight end or the tackle and a running back.
You also try taking advantage of his aggressiveness by throwing screens to backs his way.
We’ll be watching how UVA offensive coordinator Des Kitchings schemes this one.
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Chris Graham
