Heading into Saturday’s game at Eastern Michigan University, Jamill Smith had scored a touchdown passing and receiving. Late in the first half, the senior wide receiver scored his first career touchdown rushing.
On a 1st and 10 from Eastern Michigan’s 27-yard line, offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky called a trick play.
“We felt good about it during the week of practice,” head coach Pete Lembo said. “We wanted to get it called. I think Rich called it at really good time.“
On the play, the football traveled from the center’s hands to senior quarterback Keith Wenning then to sophomore running back Horactio Banks and finally to Smith. The play was set up by a pair of blocks by Wenning and junior wide receiver Willie Snead.
“I saw Willie make the block, and I saw Keith make a block,“ sophomore wide receiver Jordan Williams said of his view from the sideline. “I got excited.“
1. Wenning is in the shotgun with Banks to his left. Snead is lined up wide to the right with Smith wide left.
2. At the snap, the offensive line blocks their defenders to the right. Wenning hands off to Banks, who runs to the right side of the formation. The Eastern Michigan defense is oblivious to Smith running behind the line of scrimmage to the left. Snead runs a route to the 15-yard line.
3. As they pass each other to the right of the hashmarks, Banks tosses the ball up in the air. Smith grabs it and keeps running toward the left. The Eastern Michigan defense, now realizing that Banks doesn’t have the ball, tries to change momentum back to the left side of the field. Snead stops running his route and begins blocking the cornerback who was covering him.
4. Smith uses his speed to turn the corner with a lead blocker in front of him — Wenning. At the 5-yard line, Wenning throws his shoulder forward to get a defender to back off Smith. Snead turns his block to shield Smith from the cornerback.
5. Smith slides between Snead and a defender to get into the end zone, giving Ball State a 33-13 lead.
