Chip Kelly says Ohio State's spring game T formation was not just a tribute to Woody Hayes
Chip Kelly answered one of the burning questions facing many fans and media members after Ohio State’s spring game.
In the first play under the new offensive coordinator for Ryan Day, the Buckeyes lined up in one formation to start the game before an audible into the T formation. The formation included 3 tight ends and both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield as running backs.
The play ultimately went as a handoff to Henderson and resulted in a short gain before contact blew the play dead:
Single Wing ➡️ T-Formation
Chip Kelly starting off the Ohio State Spring Game with some Old School Football! pic.twitter.com/6ooJHfegGh
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) April 13, 2024
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Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Asked about the formation after the game, Kelly admitted it was partially a nod to Woody Hayes, someone he described as a “looming figure” over the program in Columbus. But, Kelly was adamant it’s something the Buckeyes will incorporate into the offense this fall.
“There’s a looming figure around this whole program and we have to go to work every day in the Woody Hayes Center. If it was good enough for Woody, we’re going to steal it,” said Kelly. “We’re going to do it.”
However, fans worried that the program is going back into the old-school nature of triple-option football can relax a bit. Kelly was sure to clarify it is not something Ohio State will use extensively, but he does see a benefit to the formation in short-yardage situations.
“We ran some last year, I think we took 21 snaps at UCLA in the T for short yardage for us,” Kelly said. “I also think our players had a lot of fun practicing it. It’s a small part of our offense, we will not be in the T 21 times in one game, but we may get in it for some short-yardage situations.”
Why it makes sense for Ohio State
Ohio State has struggled at times in short-yardage situations, including at key times last season. In the hard-fought win over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes were 1-for-3 on 4th downs, including one late in the game that nearly cost Ohio State the victory.
At other points of the season, some of the play calls on 3rd or 4th-and-short were questionable with Ohio State opting for end around runs to a receiver instead of plunging ahead with a quarterback or running back. Adding another wrinkle to those short-yardage plays — and getting both RBs on the field at the same time — adds another layer to the offense that could keep defensive fronts on their heels.
And, as Kelly explained it, the T formation is making a resurgence in college football. There are some other programs using it these days, including Penn State where James Franklin’s program has used it to get a loaded TE group on the field regularly.
With Kelly arriving in Columbus, fans were wondering if new looks would be integrated to try and unlock another layer of the offense. After the spring game, fans have their answer, at least when it comes to the T.
