The Sampler gets to break down a win this week after the Virginia football team held off William & Mary on Saturday, 35-29. As always, here’s a piece by piece look at the game starting with a little bit of film study.

Unbalanced Line

For at least the second time this season, I spotted Virginia use an unbalanced formation with more offensive linemen to the left of center than to the right. This week, the play came during the long scoring drive in the first quarter (9:13).

With approximately 6:00 on the first quarter clock and the ball at William & Mary’s 18-yard line, Virginia opened in the I-Formation with two receivers to the left and a tight end to the right. After the initial set, however, UVa employed a shift as it often does with Steve Fairchild’s scheme. The shift this time was unique, though. Only one player shifted: right tackle Eric Smith.

Smith popped up from his right tackle spot and shifted across the formation to set up double tackles on the left side with Michael Mooney. Tight end Charlie Hopkins then stepped up to the line on the right side alongside the right guard Ross Burbank. Here is the formation:

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