THE DUDLEY BASTARD T THE SINGLE WING VS. THE T-FORMATION

SINGLE WING T-FORMATION In this sweep play, the fullback (gray dot) takes the pass In this sweep play, the (gray dot) takes from center (C) and rushes towards the line. The quar- the under center (C) and pitches to the half- terback (black dot) spins at his position, takes a hando back (black dot), who heads around end (black from the fullback, and heads around the end (black arrow). The linemen are spread apart and their arrow). The tackle (T) pulls to block for the ball carrier. blocking assignments are man on man. The backs So do the other two backs. The linemen are set up close are set deeper behind the line. to each other and engage in team blocking.

DUDLEY BASTARD T

In this sweep play, the quarterback (dark gray dot) takes If the play was a Dudley dive play or a pass play, the the snap from center, fakes a hando to the fullback quarterback would move aside and the center would (light gray dot) and turns to hand o to Dudley (black hike the ball directly to Dudley. He took it from there. dot). The right halfback is the lead blocker.

EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 8: A big advantage of the T-formation is that it spread the de- In 1940, Bill Dudley was Frank Murray’s triple threat. But, fense. Murray wanted it wide open. He used a balanced Murray wanted to use the T-formation. He wanted to line and spread the distance between his o ensive line- spread the o ense and thereby spread the defense. He men. He spread the ends and used backs in motion to had used a wide end and anker for years. This was right open up the secondary. With the quarterback under center, up his alley. But, what to do with Dudley? Dudley called the signals.

Murray designed what he called “My Virginia T.” The If it was a pass play the quarterback shifted at the last press called it the Dudley Bastard T, at least amongst moment and Dudley got a shotgun snap. If it was a rollout each other. Dudley would do all the passing, like a pass, the quarterback took the snap and lateraled to modern quarterback, but Murray didn’t want Dudley Dudley. It was their most e ective pass play. The same for- under center. He’d lose the running advantage. Dudley mation and movement on a running play could work more played left halfback like a tailback, and he called plays or less like an option play. like a quarterback.