You can’t run a better hook-and-ladder than this.
Kyle Shanahan has a reputation in the National Football League for creative play-calling and design.
He showed that early in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
On the San Francisco 49ers’ opening drive against the Cardinals, the offense faced a 3rd-and-12 deep in their own territory. For most offenses, there are not many plays on the playsheet for this situation. But that did not stop Shanahan from finding one.
The old hook-and-lateral.
Shanahan dialed up the trick play, and the 49ers executed it to perfection. Quarterback Brock Purdy targeted wide receiver Mike Evans on a hitch route, and immediately after the catch Evans flipped the ball back to Deebo Samuel, who was running a shallow crossing route from the other side of the formation.
80 yards later, Samuel was in the end zone:
An underrated aspect of this call and design? Watch #89, San Francisco tight end Luke Farrell, who gets out in front of the play and is blocking as Evans makes the catch, but keeps executing his block after the lateral to Samuel:
Great design, great execution, and a beautiful 80-yard touchdown for the 49ers.