In college football, few offensive strategies are as dynamic and effective as the “mesh” concept, a passing play designed to exploit man-to-man coverage. Coach Dana Holgorsen, a renowned offensive mind with experience as head coach at West Virginia University and currently the offensive coordinator at Nebraska, offers a detailed breakdown of this concept in his video course, Return of the Mesh. Drawing from two specific clips of a game against TCU, Holgorsen explains how he coaches the mesh concept to counter different defensive looks. This blog post explores his insights, highlighting key elements of the play, critical coaching points, and the adaptability that makes it a cornerstone of modern offenses.
Watch the video below or keep reading to learn more.
The Mesh Concept: A Quick Overview
The mesh concept is a passing play where two receivers cross paths in close proximity, creating natural “rubs” or picks that can disrupt defenders in man coverage. This crossing action often frees up one of the receivers for an easy catch, making it a potent weapon against aggressive defenses. Against TCU—a team Holgorsen praises for its exceptional defense, particularly its strong defensive line—the mesh becomes especially valuable. “Their D-line is pretty good,” he notes. You got to get the ball out of your hands pretty quick.” The quick-release nature of the mesh allows the offense to neutralize pressure and capitalize on defensive alignments.
Section 1: Setting Up the Mesh Against TCU
In the first clip, Holgorsen describes a play designed to combat TCU’s defense. The setup features a tight end aligned on the left, marking it as the “mesh side,” with the running back positioned to the same side. On the opposite side, a “slash” route serves as a hot route—a quick option for the quarterback under pressure.
Quarterback’s Progression
The quarterback begins with his eyes on the back. If there’s no immediate blitz, he doesn’t need to throw to the back right away. However, Holgorsen stresses flexibility over a rigid progression: “One thing that I never took out of his hands is, don’t just do exactly what I tell you to do from a progression point of view. You like matchups, you take care of matchups.” If the quarterback spots a favorable one-on-one matchup, he’s encouraged to take that shot, even without a blitz. For example, “If he sees one-on-one right here and he thinks this guy is better than him, then he would trigger this.”
If pressure mounts or the back is covered, the quarterback transitions to the underneath route, facilitated by the tight end’s efforts. In the clip, this read results in a completion, showcasing the play’s effectiveness.
The Tight End’s Physical Role
The tight end’s job is pivotal—and physically demanding. He must fight through contact to clear space for the underneath receiver. Holgorsen emphasizes this toughness: “You got to be a tough ass now. Regardless of what you got, you got to plow through it, and your main job is to make sure that you clear things up for that underneath route.” To prepare, Holgorsen uses drills with dummies and pads, ensuring the tight end can handle the physicality. This role doesn’t require a massive player—a 6’4”, 270-pound tight end like the one drafted by the Jets works, but a physical receiver can also suffice.
The tight end in the clip exemplifies this team-first mentality, knowing he won’t get the ball but still straining to open up the play. The result? A touchdown for the underneath receiver.
Section 2: The Running Back’s Critical Contribution
The running back is the quarterback’s first read, especially when anticipating pressure. However, Holgorsen highlights a key coaching point: the back must remain disciplined. “The backs know that they’re first read, so they get all cranked up and excited,” he explains. “But if they don’t get it, the selfish players start shutting things down.” Instead, the back must accelerate if not targeted: “If those guys don’t get the ball, they better speed up. They got to get on their horse and go.”
This full-speed continuation stretches the defense and creates space for the underneath route. In the clip, the back executes this perfectly, enhancing the play’s success. Without this effort, the mesh could collapse under defensive pressure.
Countering Defensive Adjustments
TCU’s defense isn’t static—they adapt. After facing the mesh repeatedly, they keyed on the back’s alignment in a 2×2 set (two receivers on each side) to predict the mesh side. Holgorsen counters this with creativity: “You got to start moving some people, shifting some people, getting in some different sets, doing some things that are a little bit creative.” Shifts, motions, varied personnel (like tight ends or fullbacks), and a fast tempo keep the defense off-balance, preventing them from locking into a counter-strategy.
Adapting the Mesh Across Personnel
The mesh concept’s versatility shines in the second clip, run from 10 personnel (four wide receivers, no tight end). Here, an inside receiver—about 200 pounds—takes on the clearing role typically assigned to the tight end. “He’s got to get there, he’s got to clear it through,” Holgorsen says, underscoring that the principles remain unchanged despite the personnel shift.
Timing and Decision-Making
Timing is critical. The quarterback checks the back first—a quick “yes or no” decision. “After 0.5 seconds, if you spend too much time on that back, this guy’s going to run out of room,” Holgorsen warns. If the back isn’t open, the quarterback swiftly moves to the underneath route, placing the ball on the receiver’s upfield shoulder to maximize yards after the catch. Delaying this progression risks clogging the play.
Alignment Discipline
Holgorsen also cautions against receivers cheating their alignment too far outside to reach the sideline quickly: “That’s a key for the defense to be able to focus on that.” Proper alignment preserves the play’s deception, ensuring defenders can’t anticipate the mesh side prematurely.
In this 10-personnel example, the quarterback reads no blitz, bypasses the back, and hits the underneath route for a clean completion—demonstrating the mesh’s adaptability and precision.
Conclusion: Why the Mesh Matters
Coach Dana Holgorsen’s analysis of the mesh concept reveals why it remains a staple in offensive playbooks. Its success hinges on:
- Physicality: The tight end or clearing receiver must battle through contact to set up the play.
- Discipline: The back’s full-speed effort, even without the ball, sustains the play’s integrity.
- Quick Reads: The quarterback’s ability to assess matchups and make rapid decisions keeps the offense ahead of the defense.
- Adaptability: Creative adjustments in formation, personnel, and tempo thwart defensive countermeasures.
Holgorsen’s coaching approach—blending technical precision with player empowerment—underscores the mesh’s brilliance. Whether you’re a coach refining your playbook or a fan decoding the game, these insights from Return of the Mesh offer a masterclass in offensive strategy. As Holgorsen puts it, it’s about execution and adaptability: “You got to coach a little bit and change some things up.” That’s the essence of mastering the mesh.
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