Welcome to another exciting College Football 26 tips breakdown! Today, we’re diving deep into the Gun Trips TE Offset Wk – PA Verts Shot, a play that can absolutely shred defenses when executed correctly. This play, found in various playbooks, is a fantastic way to generate explosive gains. It truly puts pressure on the secondary. We’ll explore how Bell (X), Lacy (Y), Hurry (B), Stewart (A), and Brown (RB) all contribute to making this a high-impact play.

The PA Verts Shot is built on deception, using a play-action fake to open up those crucial vertical windows. Understanding the nuances of each route and the quarterback’s reads is vital for consistent success. Moreover, knowing how to attack both man and zone coverages with this play will give you a significant advantage on the virtual gridiron.

• Play Name: PA Verts Shot
• Formation: Gun Trips TE Offset Wk
• Play Type: Pass
• Concept: Play Action Verticals
• Personnel Group: 11

• Chris Bell (X) WR #0: Lines up outside wide left
• Caullin Lacy (Y) WR #5: Lines up in the left middle slot
• TreyShun Hurry (B) WR #2: Lines up in the left slot
• Jacob Stewart (A) TE #86: Lines up next to the right tackle
• Isaac Brown (RB) HB #1: Lines up left of the quarterback
• Miller Moss (QB) QB #7: Lines up in Gun

• Chris Bell (X): Bell runs a Go route, stretching the field vertically.
• Caullin Lacy (Y): Lacy runs a Deep Post route, attacking the middle of the field.
• TreyShun Hurry (B): Hurry runs a Skinny Post route, cutting sharply inside.
• Jacob Stewart (A): Stewart runs a Delay Curl route, providing a quick check-down option.
• Isaac Brown (RB): Brown runs a Flat route after the play fake, offering a short, immediate outlet.

The core of the PA Verts Shot is its ability to create deep passing opportunities through misdirection. The initial play-action fake draws the defense forward, particularly linebackers and safeties who are key to stopping the run. As they commit, the vertical routes develop, creating open lanes behind them. This play truly thrives on the QB’s ability to sell the run fake and then quickly transition to finding the open receiver downfield.

The combination of Go, Deep Post, and Skinny Post routes stretches the defense both horizontally and vertically. This forces defensive backs to make tough choices, often leaving one of your receivers open for a big gain. Furthermore, the Flat route by the RB provides a safety valve if the deep shots aren’t there, making the PA Verts Shot a versatile option in College Football 26.

• Jacob Stewart (A): 1
• TreyShun Hurry (B): 1
• Isaac Brown (RB): 1
• Chris Bell (X): 1
• Caullin Lacy (Y): 1

• Bell (X) Go: This route is a fantastic weapon against man coverage. If the cornerback plays off-man, Bell can simply outrun him downfield. If the corner is playing press, a quick release and a burst of speed can still create separation, allowing for a deep shot.
• Lacy (Y) Deep Post: The Deep Post is excellent for breaking away from man coverage. A good route runner can create separation at the top of the route by selling the vertical stem before cutting inside, leaving the defender trailing.
• Hurry (B) Skinny Post: This route works well by creating a quick inside break. It’s a great option if the slot defender is playing tight man coverage, as the sharp cut can give Hurry the step he needs for a quick throw.
• Stewart (A) Delay Curl: While the primary focus is deep, Stewart’s Delay Curl can be a sneaky option against man. If the TE’s defender gets caught up in traffic or commits to the play-action, Stewart can sit down in a soft spot for an easy gain.
• Brown (RB) Flat: The Flat route is a reliable check-down against man coverage. If the RB’s defender is slow to react to the play fake, Brown can get out into the flat quickly, providing an immediate, low-risk throw for a positive gain.

• Bell (X) Go: Against zone, Bell’s Go route aims to split safeties or draw a deep zone defender, opening up space underneath. This route can force a safety to commit deep, leaving other receivers open.
• Lacy (Y) Deep Post: The Deep Post by Lacy is designed to attack the void between safeties in a two-high safety look, or to get behind linebackers in a single-high safety defense. It’s a high-reward route that can exploit seams in zone coverage.
• Hurry (B) Skinny Post: Hurry’s Skinny Post works effectively against zone by finding the soft spot between the outside and inside zone defenders. The quick cut allows him to settle into a window before the zone collapses.
• Stewart (A) Delay Curl: This route is perfect for finding the open space against underneath zone defenders. Stewart can delay his route, allowing the zone to clear, then sit down in a vacated area for an easy completion.
• Brown (RB) Flat: The Flat route by Brown is a classic zone-beater. It pulls a flat zone defender wide, creating a void for other routes, or provides a quick outlet if the defense drops deep into coverage.

• Deep Threat Potential: The PA Verts Shot truly excels at creating big plays downfield. With multiple receivers running vertical routes, it constantly threatens the defense over the top, leading to explosive gains in College Football 26.
• Play-Action Deception: The run fake is a powerful tool, drawing defenders out of position. This deception is crucial for opening up those windows for the vertical routes, making it harder for the defense to react properly.
• Versatile Against Coverages: This play can attack both man and zone coverages effectively. The varied routes ensure that there’s usually an open receiver, regardless of the defensive scheme.
• High-Percentage Check-Down: The RB’s Flat route provides a reliable, low-risk option if the deep throws aren’t available. This ensures that you can always get positive yardage, even if the primary reads are covered.
• Spreading the Field: The Gun Trips TE Offset Wk formation naturally spreads the defense, creating more space for receivers to operate. This wide alignment helps open up the middle of the field for the post routes.

• Vulnerable to Pressure: If the offensive line fails to hold up against a strong pass rush, the QB won’t have time for the deep routes to develop. Quick pressure can easily disrupt the timing of the PA Verts Shot.
• Requires Good Route Running: For the vertical routes to be effective, receivers need to create separation. Against elite defensive backs, if route running isn’t crisp, the windows can be very tight.
• Risk of Interceptions: Deep passes inherently carry a higher risk of turnovers. If the QB forces a throw into tight coverage, it can easily result in an interception, especially in College Football 26.
• Timing Dependent: The play-action fake and the developing routes require precise timing from the QB. Any hesitation can throw off the entire play, leading to missed opportunities or sacks.
• Limited Short Yardage: While the RB flat provides an outlet, this play isn’t designed for consistent short-yardage gains. It’s a big-play concept, so relying on it for 3rd and short might not be ideal.

• 2nd & Long: This is a prime situation for the PA Verts Shot. You’re looking for a big chunk play to get back into manageable down and distance, and this play delivers that potential.
• Red Zone (outside 20): If you’re just outside the red zone, this play can quickly get you inside the 10 or even score. The compressed field makes the vertical routes even more dangerous.
• Coming out of Halftime: Use this play early in the second half to catch the defense off guard. It sets a tone for explosive offense and can swing momentum.
• After a Big Run Play: When you’ve established the run, the play-action fake becomes incredibly effective. Defenses will bite hard on the run, leaving the deep routes wide open for the PA Verts Shot.
• Against Blitzing Defenses: If the defense is bringing heat, the quick developing deep routes can punish them. The QB needs to get the ball out fast, but the potential for a one-play touchdown is high.

• Sell the Play Fake: The effectiveness of the PA Verts Shot hinges on a convincing run fake. Ensure your QB fully commits to the fake to draw defenders up.
• Identify the Deep Safety: Before the snap, locate the deep safety or safeties. This will tell you which vertical route is most likely to be open against their coverage.
• Read the Middle of the Field: Often, the Deep Post or Skinny Post will be your primary reads, attacking the vacated middle of the field after the play fake.
• Don’t Force the Deep Ball: If the deep routes are covered, don’t hesitate to check down to the RB on the Flat route. A short gain is better than a turnover.
• Practice Your Timing: This play requires good timing between the QB and receivers. Spend time in practice mode to perfect the rhythm of the play-action and release.

• QB (Miller Moss): Look for a QB with high Throw Power for deep balls and good Play Action attribute to sell the fake.
• WRs (Bell, Lacy, Hurry): Need high Speed and Route Running to create separation on vertical routes. Catching is also crucial for contested catches.
• TE (Stewart): A TE with solid Route Running and Catching for the curl route, and decent Blocking for the play fake.
• HB (Brown): An HB with good Speed and Catching for the flat route, and strong Ball Carrier Vision for potential run opportunities.
• OL: The hogs in the trenches need high Pass Blocking to give the QB time for the deep routes to develop.

Q: How do I counter a deep safety playing over the top?

A: If a deep safety is taking away the Go route, look for the Deep Post or Skinny Post to attack the middle of the field. The PA Verts Shot often creates a natural void in that area, especially if the safety commits to the sideline.

Q: What if the play-action fake doesn’t draw up the linebackers?

A: If the linebackers don’t bite, the Flat route by the RB becomes a more viable option. Additionally, the Delay Curl by the TE might be open underneath if the middle of the field is congested. It’s all about finding the open man.

Q: Can I run this play effectively without a strong running game?

A: While a strong running game enhances the play-action, you can still use the PA Verts Shot. The vertical routes themselves are still potent. Just be aware that the play fake might not be as convincing, so rely more on your receivers winning their matchups.

Q: How do I protect against the pass rush on this play?

A: Max protect is an option if you’re facing a heavy blitz. You can also slide your protection or use an HB to chip. The key is to give your QB enough time for the deeper routes to develop. Remember, the hogs in the trenches are your first line of defense!

Q: When is the best time to call the PA Verts Shot?

A: This play is ideal when you need a big gain, especially on 2nd & long or when you’ve established the run. It’s also a great way to start a drive or a half, as it can catch the defense off guard and establish your vertical threat.

The Gun Trips TE Offset Wk – PA Verts Shot is a powerful addition to any College Football 26 offensive playbook. Its combination of play-action deception and vertical routes makes it a constant threat for big plays. By understanding the alignments, routes, and progression reads, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this dynamic play. Practice makes perfect, so take this knowledge to the field and start shredding those defenses!

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