1. Use Play-Action to Manipulate the Defense
After a successful running play, the linebackers and safeties will likely be more focused on CFB 25 Coins stopping the run. This is your opportunity to use play-action to catch them off-guard. A well-timed play-action fake will force the linebackers and safeties to react quickly and, in many cases, bite on the run, leaving your receivers open for big gains.

How to Leverage It: After a few successful runs, call a play-action pass. The linebackers and safeties will naturally move toward the line of scrimmage, thinking it’s another rushing play. If they bite on the fake, you can hit your receivers on deep routes, like post or wheel routes, or short crossing routes that take advantage of the space created by the defenders being pulled in.
2. Create Mismatches with Quick Throws
When linebackers and safeties step up to stop the run, they often leave themselves vulnerable to quick throws. These throws are hard for defenders to react to, especially if you’re running a quick-hitting play that exploits the space between the linebackers and safeties.

How to Leverage It: Run quick slants, quick outs, or crossing routes immediately after a successful run. With the linebackers pulled in to stop the run, your receiver can find space in the zone between the linebackers and safeties. If you time it well, you’ll be able to throw a quick, accurate pass that leaves the defense with little time to react.
3. Attack the Second Level with RPOs
Run-Pass Options (RPOs) are an excellent way to catch linebackers and safeties off-guard. By reading the defense’s movements, you can decide whether to hand the ball off to the running back or keep it with the quarterback. In many cases, linebackers will crash toward the line of scrimmage to stop the run, leaving you with an open lane to hit a receiver.

How to Leverage It: Use an RPO with a quick slant or bubble screen. When the linebackers are drawn in to stop the run, they’ll leave the passing lanes open, and you can quickly get the ball to your receiver in space. This forces the defenders to make split-second decisions, which increases your chances of success.
4. Stretch the Defense with Play-Action Deep Routes
After a successful run, linebackers and safeties tend to play closer to the line of scrimmage, anticipating the run. This is the perfect time to hit them with a deep play-action route, such as a post route or a go route. With the defense focused on stopping the run, they’ll be caught off-guard when the ball is launched down the field.

How to Leverage It: Run a play-action fake to draw the linebackers and safeties in, and then hit your wide receiver with a deep post or go route. Since the linebackers and safeties are already moving toward the line of scrimmage, the receiver can often get behind them, leaving a clear path to a big gain or a touchdown.
5. Create Open Passing Lanes with Crossing Routes
Crossing routes are a great way to attack linebackers and safeties who are caught in run-stopping mode. As the linebackers fill gaps and the safeties adjust to the run, they can leave open lanes for your receivers to cross through. By running a quick crossing route, your receiver can slip past defenders who are too focused on the line of scrimmage.

How to Leverage It: Call a crossing route right after a successful run play. The linebackers will often try to react to the running back, and safeties may be caught off-guard if they’re too focused on the backfield. Your receiver will have the opportunity to buy College Football 25 Coins get open and pick up valuable yardage.