Defending Georgia Southern’s Triple-Option Attack

by: Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL)

When offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse left New Mexico to join Georgia Southern, he brought modern triple-option wrinkles with him. For many years, the Eagles traditionally ran a classic veer triple-option. The offensive system was popularized in the 1990s by former Georgia Southern head coach Paul Johnson. The key responsibilities for a defense to monitor in the veer triple-option are the dive man, pitch man and quarterback.

During the Quick Lane Bowl against Georgia Tech, Minnesota was tested with the triple-option. They learned how to maintain the necessary eye discipline, alignments and run fits to successfully defend this system. Defensive coordinator…